Synopsis of Friday Sermons

Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 3
 Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 3

After Satan was cursed and cast out of heaven because of his disobedience to Allah (SWT), he swore by Allah‟s majesty and honor that he would do whatever he could within his means to deceive the progeny of Adam. “Then I will come at them, from in front of them and behind them, from their right and from their left. You will not find most of them thankful” (al-A‟raf, 7:17).
Allah (SWT) had revealed to the angels that he would be making a khalifah on earth. “And (mention) when your Lord said to the angels, ´I am going to place a vicegerent on the earth‟…” (al-Baqarah, 2:30). This khalifah would be Adam. A khalifah is one who represents God on earth by acting according to the Divine Will, by upholding and maintaining God‟s kingdom here on earth, and by ruling justly among people. Imam al-Qurtubi and other scholars infer from this ayah that the role of a khalifah among other responsibilities is to pass judgments between people on matters of dispute, to aid the oppressed against the oppressor, to forbid evil and to implement the Shariah. While khalifah literally means a successor, by extension, it also means one who acts justly among people in accordance with the truth. In addressing Dawud (AS), He (SWT) says, “O Dawud! We have made you a vicegerent (kahlifah) on earth, so judge between people in truth and do not follow vain desires, lest it divert you from the Way of Allah…” (Saad, 38:26). It is in that context the khilafah of Adam may be understood...Read more.

Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 2
 Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 2

Allah (SWT) recounts the story of Adam and Iblis in seven surahs of the Qur‘an. These are: Surat al-Baqarah, Surat al-A‘raf, Surat al-Hijr, Surat al-Isra‘, Surat al-Kahf, Surat Ta Ha, and Surat Saad. In terms of the order of compilation of the surahs in the Qur‘an, the first story appears in Surat al-Baqarah. However, in terms of the chronological order of revelation, the first story appears in Surat al-Hijr.
It is important that we acquaint ourselves with the Qur‘anic ayat mentioning the story of Adam and Iblis from different aspects. Allah (SWT) has told us everything we need to know about our arch enemy Satan, so that we may be able to equip ourselves with the proper ammunition to combat him, lest he prevails over us. The Qur‘an as we know is the verbatim word of Allah (SWT), and hence the absolute truth. Any information gained from any other source on this topic can at best be based on vague ideas and speculations.
Surat al-Hijr narrates the story of Adam and Iblis: ?We created man out of dried clay formed from dark mud; and the jinn, We created before from the flames of fire?(al-Hijr, 15:26-27). These are two distinct creations of Allah (SWT) made from two different substances; man out of clay and jinn out of fire. Indeed, Allah (SWT) creates what He wills. ?…He creates whatever He wills. Allah has power over all things? (al-Ma‘idah, 5:17)....Read more.

Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 1
 Satan - The Devil (Know your Enemy) Part 1

The sermon today is the first in a series of sermons on a very significant topic that is hardly talked about, and mostly ignored. The topic is: „Satan - the Devil (Know Your Enemy)?. We know through a well known hadith that the shayateen (devils) are chained during the month of Ramadan. The sudden enthusiasm in worshipping and doing charitable deeds in the month of Ramadan and the subsequent decline in the same outside Ramadan goes well to explain the veracity of this hadith. After Ramadan, the shayateen get unchained and become active once again. They start persuading us to stay away from those activities in which we were so fervently and willingly engaged during the month of Ramadan....Read more.

Shari’ah – Part 8 (Farewell Sermon of the Prophet)
Shari’ah – Part 8 (Farewell Sermon of the Prophet)

There was a discussion in a previous Friday sermon on the issue of human rights and freedom in Islam. This among others included the right to life, right to safety of life, right to respect of chastity of women, right to basic standard of life, right to freedom, right to justice, and right to the principle of equality of human beings. The right to cooperate and not to cooperate is also among the basic human rights in Islam. In this regard, the Qur?an lays down a general principle of paramount importance and universal application. “…Help one another to do what is right and good; do not help one another towards sin and hostility…” (al-Ma?idah, 5:2). This means that it is obligatory upon believers to cooperate with anyone, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, in all his pursuits of good values and works. Similarly, it is obligatory upon believers not to cooperate with anyone, even if he is a Muslim or someone close in terms of considerations of race, country, nationality, language etc., if that person were to promote wickedness and aggression...Read more.

Maintaining the Spirit of Ramadan
Maintaining the Spirit of Ramadan
Ramadan came to discipline our bodies and lift our souls. It empowered us by providing physical and spiritual strength that helped us to control the appetite of our bodies and overcome the evil of our souls. It saw our mutual values of mercy, compassion, and love being manifested in our conduct. We became more conscious of Allah (SWT), and felt closer the Him. The very objective of fasting during Ramadan is to attain taqwa (God-consciousness) that helps to achieve piety, righteousness, and self-restraint. “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be conscious of God” (al-Baqarah, 2:183). By taqwa is meant a consciousness of Allah; a sense of presence of Allah; an awareness that Allah is watching us; a state of mindfulness of Allah that would make one a better individual. Taqwa comes from the Arabic root word waqa, which means to save and protect something from that which could harm it. From the same root, we have wiqayah, which as a shari?ah term means to protect oneself from acts that are sinful by leaving that which is forbidden. “O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from the Fire.” (At-Tahrim, 66:6)...Read more.

In Memory of Samir Khan
In Memory of Samir Khan
Today's sermon is in memory of Samir Khan, who along with Anwar al-Awlaki was killed in Yemen by the U.S. forces in a drone attack on September 30, 2011, allegedly for being a terrorist. Samir was personally known to me since the time he was a sweet, bright, and promising kid of eleven. He was a US citizen, born in Saudi Arabia and raised in America.
Samir's story is the story of a devout Muslim who despite peer pressure chose to be faithful to his religion. He was the epitome of a proud Muslim youth bubbling with energy, but disgruntled with the evil, injustice, and hypocrisy prevailing in the society. The energy of the youth if not directed properly often finds its way into destructive channels. One of these paths is that of extremism and militancy...Read more.

Where are we heading to?
Where are we heading to?
We are in the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. In spite of all the turmoil in the world, and in spite of all that the Muslim ummah is going through, Muslims remain optimistic that the present century is the century of Islam in-sha?Allah.
Thanks to science and technology, the world has become a global village. The TV, internet, and print media help news and views to be disseminated instantly from anywhere to anywhere. Muslims are very much a part of this world and not isolated from the events and developments taking place around the world, whether in countries of the Muslim World or elsewhere...Read more.

The Crotch Bomber
The Crotch Bomber
One of the most crucial issues that should engage our immediate attention and thoughtful consideration is to ascertain what goes on in the minds of those Muslim youth who not only profess and practice the ideology of extremism and terrorism, but also consider it to be a sacred religious duty. Hardly two weeks have passed when we learnt about the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan by the US forces in a drone attack in Yemen, allegedly for propagating and practicing terrorism...Read more.

Al-Hajj al-Mabroor
Al-Hajj al-Mabroor
Alhamdulillah, after performing the obligation of Hajj, the pilgrims have now returned safely back from the „Ancient House? (al-bait al-atiq) in Mecca to their homes and families.
According to the Qur?an, “…Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all who can make their way to it…”(Aal „Imran, 3:97). According to a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Prophet (SAW) said, “The Umrah to the next Umrah is a kaffarah (expiation) of all sins one commits between them, and an accepted Hajj (al-Hajj al-Mabroor) is a supreme action, the reward for which is paradise. Read More...

Ramadan – The Month of Kindness (August 26, 2011)
Ramadan – The Month of Kindness
The Prophet (SAW) called the blessed month of Ramadan shahr al-muasat (the month of kindness), which implies being compassionate and kind towards fellow human beings, especially the less fortunate ones. The Qur’an makes it very clear that one cannot attain piety and righteousness without spending from what one loves most.  “You will not attain true goodness until you give of what you love. Whatever you give away, Allah knows it” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:92). A truly righteous person (muttaqi) spends out from what Allah (SWT) gave him. “That is the Book, without any doubt. It contains guidance for those who have taqwa: those who have iman in the unseen and establish salah and spend from what We have provided for them” (al-Baqarah, 2:2-3). The relationship between taqwa (God mindfulness) and birr (goodness/righteousness) is further explained in.. Read More...

Ramadan is Rahmah (August 19, 2011)
Ramadan is Rahmah
There are numerous manifestations of Allah’s mercy in the blessed month of Ramadan. It was in Ramadan that the Qur’an was sent down. “The month of Ramadan is the month when the Quran was sent down” (al-Baqarah, 2:185). It was in Ramadan that obligatory fasting was prescribed. “Therefore, whoever of you is present in that month, should fast” (al-Baqarah, 2:185). According to a hadith, when the month of Ramadan comes in, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained. The spiritual objective of the month of Ramadan is to attain taqwa or God-consciousness. Giving glad tidings about this month, the Prophet (SAW) said that it is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle forgiveness, and its end emancipation from the fire of hell.  Read More...

Shari’ah – Part 7 (Human Rights and Freedom) (August 05, 2011)
Shari’ah – Part 7 (Human Rights and Freedom)
There has been an ongoing discussion in the last few Friday Sermons on the objectives of the shari’ah (maqasid al-shari’ah), which according to most Muslim traditional scholars are five—protection of faith, life, wealth, progeny, and intellect. However, there are other classical and contemporary scholars, who add other objectives to these five well-known standard objectives. What are these additional objectives of the shari’ah? In an attempt to answer this question, today’s sermon will discuss this topic with a focus on human rights and freedom, which also is considered as one of the primary objectives of the shari’ah.

According to Imam al-Ghazali, anything that furthers the five objectives of the shari’ah is maslahah (beneficial) and anything that runs contrary to them is mafsadah (detrimental). For Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, values such as fulfillment of contracts, preservation of ties of kinship, honoring the right of neighbors, and trustworthiness are also among the objectives of the shari’ah. Imam Ibn Ashour includes preservation of family and social order, as well as promotion of the well being and righteousness of the community among.. Read More...
Ramadan Mubarak (July 29, 2011)

Ramadan Mubarak
In a hadith narrated by Salman al-Farsi (RA), the Prophet (SAW) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "O people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; a month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to stand in prayer by night…”

The objective of fasting, as mentioned in the Qur’an is to attain taqwa. “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that hopefully you have taqwa” (al-Baqarah, 2:183). To have taqwa means to be conscious and mindful of Allah (SWT). All the prophets and messengers of Allah (SWT) before Muhammad (SAW) used to fast and commanded their people to fast. Read More...

Shari’ah – Part 6 (Protection of Intellect) (July 22, 2011)
Shari’ah – Part 6 (Protection of Intellect)
The fifth objective of Shari’ah is the protection of intellect (hifz al-‘aql), the other four being protection of faith, life, wealth, and progeny.

What is ‘aql (intellect)? What is its purpose? Where does it reside in the human body? These are questions that need to be expounded because ‘aql plays an important role in man’s life.  It can either benefit or ruin man in both worlds; hence the necessity to preserve and protect it.

Al-‘aql is derived from the root word (ل ق ع), which means to detain, to arrest, to comprehend, and to have intelligence. As a term, it means intellect, discernment, and intelligence.  It may be defined or understood as the mind’s ability to apply knowledge to a problem solving situation, or a power of the mind by which one knows or understands. It does not constitute any physical part of our body but is a faculty that enables us to reason, think, plan, and learn. It is al-‘aql that differentiates man from animals and makes him occupy a.. Read More...

Ramadan - A Historical View (July 08, 2011)

Ramadan – A Historical View

Today’s sermon discusses the concept of fasting (siyam) and its historical background.  During the Meccan period of the prophetic era, we observe that instilling of faith (iman) in people’s minds and hearts through Qur’anic revelations took precedence over prescribing rituals of worship (ibadat) to them.  That is why we find that even the rulings of the five daily prayers (salah) were prescribed in the tenth year after prophethood. As for fasting, there were no injunctions to observe it up until the believers’ emigration from Mecca to Medina. Although the pagan Quraish of Mecca believed in Allah (SWT), yet this belief was tainted with shades of disbelief (kufr) and polytheism (shirk) as the pure monotheism (tawhid) inherited from their predecessors Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) had been perverted beyond recognition. Thus it became necessary that... Read More...

Shari’ah – Part 5 (Protection of Wealth) (July 01, 2011)

Shari’ah – Part 5 (Protection of Wealth)

Protection of wealth (hifz al-Mal) is the fourth objective of Shari’ah.  The Islamic concept of wealth (al-Mal), if understood and adhered to ensures the protection of wealth, whether private or public. Unlike the western and capitalistic ideology, which believes that man owns what he possesses, and can do whatever he wants to do with it, Islam teaches that our possessions and resources are only an amanah (trust) whose actual owner is Allah (SWT).  “Everything in the heavens and everything in the earth belongs to Allah. All matters return to Allah” (Aal ‘Imran, 3:109). We also have in Surat al-Munafiqun, “The treasures of the heavens and earth belong to Allah…” (63:7). What we earn and apparently own is nothing but a bounty from Allah (SWT).  “Believers! When the call to prayer is made on the day of congregation, hurry towards the reminder of God and leave off your trading––that is better for you, if only you knew; then when the prayer has ended, disperse in the land and seek out God’s bounty. Remember God often so that you may prosper” (al-Jumu’ah, 62:9-10). As a matter of fact, everything belongs to God alone, and He will.. Read More...

Shari’ah – Part 4 (Protection of Posterity) (June 24, 2011)
Shari’ah – Part 4 (Protection of Posterity)
Protection of life, which is the second objective of shari’ah, was the topic of discussion of the last Friday sermon.  Human life is sacred.  Islam places great emphasis on the sanctity of human life from the womb till the grave, and forbids the taking of life without due process of justice.

Protection of posterity (hifz al-nasl), which is the third objective of shari’ah is the topic of today’s sermon.  Posterity, progeny, or lineage refers to all future generations collectively. The terms in Arabic for posterity are al-nasl and al-nasab, derived from the roots na-sa-la and na-sa-ba respectively.  While the former means to procreate, the latter means to trace ancestry.  In between the two words al-nasl and al-nasab, we find the concept of lineage, which by extension includes all succeeding generations in one’s family.

Islam recognizes the importance of protecting one’s lineage and posterity. The negative growth in population is a sign of destruction of posterity as is evident in some.. Read More...

Shari’ah – Part 3 (June 17, 2011)
Shari’ah – Part 3
This is the third khutbah in a series of khutbas dedicated to discuss shari’ah (Islamic law) and the objectives of shari’ah (maqasid al-shari’ah). Earlier in Part-1, there was a general introduction to shari’ah. In Part-2, there was a discussion on the first objective of shari’ah, which is the protection of faith. This sermon will shed light on the second objective of shari’ah, protection of life.

Shari’ah recognizes the sanctity and sacredness of human life.  It is forbidden to kill any person without a just cause. This is clearly ordained by Allah (SWT) when He says, “…and do not take the life which God has forbidden, except in the pursuit of justice…” (al-An’am, 6:151). In Surat al-Isra’, Allah (SWT) says, “Do not take life, which God has made sacred, except with the right to do so.  If someone is wrongly killed We have given authority to his next of kin. But he should not be excessive in taking life. He will be helped” (17:33). This means that in demanding a just retribution, one should not.. Read More...
Shari’ah – Part 2 (June 03, 2011)
Shari’ah – Part 2
Last Friday’s sermon was an introduction to a series of sermons to be delivered on the subject of Shari’ah.  There was a brief discussion on the fundamental sources of Shari’ah and the objectives of Shari’ah (Maqasid al-Shari’ah). There was also a discussion about the misconception that some people have about Shari’ah, which among others is that Muslims want to impose their belief on others; to convert them to Islam; to force women to wear hijab (veil), and to deprive people of their freedoms.

The goal of Shari’ah is to protect the inalienable rights of people regardless of their belief, race, color, and gender. These protected rights, which are broadly five, pertain to people’s faith, life, progeny, property, and intellect.  According to Imam al-Shatibi, they constitute the essentials (daruriayt) required for establishment of welfare in this world and the next. While sovereign countries have their own laws to safeguard people’s rights, the guidance under the Islamic Law (Shari’ah) is directly from.. Read More...
Shari’ah – Part 1 (May 20, 2011)

Shari’ah – Part 1

Shari’ah has become one of the hottest topics of discussion and debate in the contemporary political discourse, especially in the West. It is often misperceived and misinterpreted as an outdated Islamic Law that is brutal and uncivilized, having no regards to democracy; human rights, women’s freedom etc.  As a matter of fact, the very objective of Shari’ah (Maqasid al-Shari’ah) is to protect the inalienable rights of people, such as those pertaining to their faith, life, family, property, and intellect.

Shari’ah has come to occupy a center stage today.  Some Christian fundamentalists and right wing politicians among others, with the aid of their propaganda machine (the media) have succeeded in creating a sense of tension, uneasiness, and fear in the hearts and minds of the masses. Allegations are hurled that Muslims want to impose their belief on others; to convert them to Islam; to force women to wear hijab (veil), and to deprive people of their freedoms.  Such accusations are not only unfounded, but also.. Read More...

Salvation in Light of Surat al-‘Asr (April 29, 2011)
Salvation in Light of Surat al-‘Asr
 “(I swear) by the time that man is surely in a state of loss, except for those who believe, do good deeds, support one another with the truth, and support one another with patience and perseverance” (al-‘Asr, 103:1-3).

Surat al-‘Asr, which comprises of only three ayat is one of the shortest surahs in the Qur’an. Although we are familiar with it; we recite it in our prayers; we know it by heart; we teach it to our children, and we even understand its general meaning, yet we may not be fully aware of the depth of meaning that this surah conveys so profoundly in a few simple words.  Its significance can be appreciated from the sayings of Imam al-Shafi (d. 820 CE) who said that had there been nothing revealed in the Qur’an except Surat al-‘Asr, it would have been sufficient for the salvation of mankind. That is how profound this surah is.  The words of this blessed surah are so simple and straight forward that one need not be a scholar or a linguist to understand them.  It is Allah (SWT)’s greatness that He conveys His profound messages with utmost brevity. Read More...
Coping with Adversity, Part 2 (April 22, 2011)
Coping with Adversity, Part 2
Synopsis of the Friday Sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on April 22, 2011
Today‘s sermon is a continuation of the earlier sermon on the topic, ―Coping with Adversity‖ delivered on April 1, 2011, wherein the philosophical aspects of the subject touching upon three fundamental issues—the nature of man, the nature of universe, and the nature of God had been discussed. Today‘s discussion will focus more on the practical aspects of the problem.Man should always have a positive attitude. He must believe that nothing happens without the divine decree of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) never intends anything bad for His ‗ibad (servants). Just because we go through difficult times does not necessarily mean that Allah... Read More...         

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Importance and Role of the Masjid (April 15, 2011)
Importance and Role of the Masjid
“In houses which Allah has permitted to be built and in which His name is remembered, there are men who pro-claim His glory morning and evening, not distracted by trade or commerce from the remembrance of Allah and the establishment of salat and the payment of zakah; fearing a day when all hearts and eyes will be over turned; so that Allah can reward them for the best of what they did and give them more from His unbounded favor. Allah provides for anyone He wills without accounting.” (al-Nur, 24:36-38)
The above ayaat of Surat al-Nur explains the purpose, the importance and the role of the masjid in Islam. Mas-jid is derived from the three letter root word (sa-ja-da) which means to prostrate. Masjid, therefore, means the place where Muslims come and humble themselves before Allah (SWT). They bow and prostrate themselves before Allah (SWT). An „abd (slave) is closest to Allah (SWT) when he is in a state of Sajdah or prostration. Read More...
Coping with Adversity, Part 1 (April 01, 2011)
Coping with Adversity, Part 1
Synopsis of the Friday Sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on April 01, 2011.  Man has to struggle through life's journey.  This journey has its phases of easy times and difficult times, prosperity and adversity, challenges and rewards, as well as successes and failures.  Muslims today are going through difficult times.  Hardly a day goes by without having to struggle against some challenge, misfortune or trial, which may be either personal or collective at the level of family, community, country, or world.  How should we handle calamity and manage our affairs in times of crisis?  How do we cope with adversity?  These questions have to be addressed at two levels—the philosophical and the practical.  The sermon today will revolve around the philosophical aspects of the subject.  Insha'Allah, the practical aspects will be dealt with in another sermon.  At the philosophical level, we need to understand the nature of man, the nature of universe, and the nature of God.  This will facilitate not only the comprehension of the problem but also the management thereof.  Read More...
Peace through Justice (March 25, 2011)
Peace through Justice
Synopsis of the Friday Sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on March 25, 2011.  Justice refers to the balance between the rights and responsibilities of people and is achieved through truth and honesty. To have justice, there should be a set of rules that directs people towards it. The rules should be just and equitable so that no one is favored over another. There is no rule or regulation made by Allah (SWT) for mankind that is without wisdom. The ultimate justice rests in the hands of Allah (SWT). “God bears witness that there is no god but Him, as do the angels and those who have knowledge. He upholds justice. There is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All Wise.” (Aal-Imran, 3:18).  Allah (SWT) created human beings for the purpose of worshipping Him. Throughout history, He (SWT) has been sending prophets and messengers to them from among themselves to remind them of their purpose of life—to worship Him, to submit to Him, to serve Him, and to obey Him, so that they are released from the bondage of disbelief and polytheism to believing in Allah (SWT); from the rule of injustice to justice, and from the darkness of ignorance to the light of guidance. “I did not create the Jinn and the humans except to worship Me.” (al-Dhariyat, 51:56).  All prophets and messengers of God have conveyed the same central message to humanity, “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god than Him” (al-A'raf, 7:59).  Read More...
Concept of Democracy in Islam (March 04, 2011)
Concept of Democracy in Islam
The current uprising, mainly spearheaded by the Muslim youth against undemocratic, unjust, and tyrannical regimes in the Arab world makes it incumbent upon us to understand the concept of democracy from an Islamic perspective. This will also help us to address the question of the compatibility of present day democracy with Islam.The concept of representative democracy arose largely from ideas and institutions that developed during the European Middle Ages and the Age of Enlightenment and in the American and French Revolutions. Basically, democracy refers to a form of government in which the supreme power...  Read More...
The Prophet’s Rights upon the Believers (February 25, 2011)
The Prophet’s Rights upon the Believers
It was on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 570 AD that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born. Allah (SWT) blessed humanity with a person who would eventually change the course of history and who is thought of to be the most influential man history has ever witnessed. Michael H. Hart, a historian and author of The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, ranks Muhammad (SAW) at the top of the list. He justifies his decision with his assertive statement which states, “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.”  Read More...
Commemorating the Prophet’s (saw) Legacy (February 18, 2011)
Commemorating the Prophet’s (saw) Legacy
“Commemorating the Prophet‟s Legacy” was the topic of Friday‟s sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on February 18, 2011 at the IONA Center in Warren, MI. Ameer Mustapha reminded the audience that it was Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic Calendar and it was on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 570 CE that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born.  Allah (SWT) had blessed humanity with a person who would eventually change the course of history and who is thought of to be the most influential man history has ever witnessed. Michael H. Hart, author of The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, ranks Muhammad (SAW) at the top and says that...  Read More...
Uprising in the Arab World (February 4, 2011)
Uprising in the Arab World
“Uprising in the Arab World” was the topic of Friday‟s sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on February 4, 2011 at the IONA Center in Warren, MI.  With profound changes taking place in the Arab world as a result of peaceful marches, protests and demonstrations to express indignation at the continued oppression of the masses by the ruling elite, this topic was both relevant and timely.  Ameer Mustapha began by reminding the gathering that the Qur'an is meant to be man's book of guidance. It guides people to true happiness in this world and to a perpetual blissful life in the hereafter.  The current ongoing mass protests taking place simultaneously across the globe, and particularly in the Arab world in places such as Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen show the magnitude of the peoples' rage and anger against their dictators who have been ruling them with an iron fist since inception.  Read More...
Etiquettes of Jumu’ah, Part 2 (January 28, 2011)
Etiquettes of Jumu’ah (Part-2)
The topic of Friday's sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on January 28, 2011 at the IONA Center in Warren, Michigan was a continuation of the topic of last week's Friday sermon entitled “Etiquettes of Jumu'ah.”  Ameer Mustapha began by recapitulating what he had talked about in his last Friday sermon—the significance, virtues, and benefits of Jumu'ah (see part-1).  Ameer Mustapha then drew the attention of the audience to the dress code of Muslims, particularly the Muslim ladies especially the young ones who generally did not pay heed to the Islamic dress code. The 'Awrah (part of the body to be covered) of a woman with respect to a man who is not her mahram (relationship of such degree that marriage is prohibited) is her entire body excepting only her face and hands.  (1) A Muslim woman has to make sure that her dress covers her 'Awrah and should avoid tight and transparent clothing that reveal her figure and what is underneath.  A Muslim woman is chaste, dignified, selfrespecting, and modest.  She should not be showy and anxious to display her attractions and should not walk or talk in a seductive manner.  Read More...
Etiquettes of Jumu’ah, Part 1 (January 21, 2011)
Etiquettes of Jumu’ah (Part-1)
"Etiquettes of Jumu‘ah" was the topic of Friday‘s sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on January 21, 2011 at the IONA Center in Warren, Michigan.  After praising and glorifying Allah (SWT), invoking Him to shower His blessings upon the last and final messenger Muhammad (SAW), reciting few verses from the Qur‘an, and making supplications, Ameer Mustapha began his sermon by informing the congregation that his khutbahh would mainly deal with the importance and virtues of Jumu‘ah and the etiquettes that should be observed on Jumu‘ah.  Ameer Mustapha said that he was impelled to speak on this topic because of the careless and casual attitude of some of the brothers who come to the Masjid to perform their Jumu‘ah prayers but do not observe the etiquettes that should be observed, especially during the time when the khutbahh is being delivered.  He said that on one Jumu‘ah in the IONA Masjid, he had the privilege to be among the audience while another imam delivered the khutbah and led the Jumu‘ah prayers.  Ameer Mustapha said that he noticed a few things.. Read More...
Celebrating Diversity (December 31, 2010)
Celebrating Diversity
After praising and glorifying Allah (SWT), invoking Him to shower His blessings upon the last and final messenger Muhammad (SAW), reciting few verses from the Qur’an, and making supplications, Ameer Mustapha began his sermon by reminding the congre-gation of the hostility that prevailed between people during the pre-Islamic time, also known as the time of jahiliyyah or ignorance. It was usual for people from different tribes to engage in disputes with each other on trivial matters, which eventually led to war against each other.  Read More...
Al-Hijrah (December 17, 2010)
Al-Hijrah
With the advent of the 1,432nd year of the Islamic Hijri calendar, this topic was most relevant and timely.  Ameer Mustapha began by reminding the congregation that the Islamic lunar calendar began on a day corresponding with the first day of Muharram and was based on the Hijrah or migration of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. Every Islamic New Year is reminiscent of this very significant occasion in the history of Islam... Read More...
Signs of an Accepted Hajj (December 03, 2010)
Signs of an Accepted Hajj
The topic of the Friday sermon delivered by Ameer Mustapha Elturk on December 03, 2010 at the IONA Center in Warren, Michigan was “Signs of an Accepted Hajj.”  In the first part of the sermon, he gave a brief introduction of Hajj, and its virtues. He began his discourse with a few references from the hadith and the Qur'an that addressed the significance and virtues of Hajj.  According to a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (SAW) said, “The Umrah to the next Umrah is a kaffarah (expiation) of all sins one commits between them, and an accepted Hajj (Hajj mabroor) is a supreme action, the reward for which is paradise.”  There is another hadith in which Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: I heard the prophet (SAW) say, “Whoever goes for Hajj with the intention solely for the sake of Allah, and does not indulge in any indecency or immoral act, and does not commit any disobedience, he will return as though the day he was brought into this world—the day his mother bore him.” In other words, he will return sinless.  Read More...
What’s so wrong about Shari’a? (September 24, 2010)
What’s so wrong about Shari’a?
In his Friday sermon on September 24, 2010 at the IONA Center, Ameer Mustapha Elturk explained in his usual scholarly style the meaning, significance, and essence of the often misunderstood and highly charged term “Shari'a” that had recently come under attack in the US and other Western countries.  Ameer Mustapha regretted that politicians, think-tanks, media outlets, and even law-enforcement agencies present Shari'a as an antiquated Islamic Law that is barbaric and has no regards for democracy, human rights, women's freedom etc. There is an emerging Islamophobic and anti-Shari'a movement in America to create doubt in the minds of the believers, and at the same time create fear in the hearts of non-Muslims, lest they become sympathetic to Muslims and get influenced by them and perhaps their faith.  Read More...