Read the Friday Sermon below:
Human life is a sacred treasure, a gift from Allah, and no one has the right to destroy it without just cause. In the Qur’an, Allah says: “Whoever kills an innocent person, unless he has committed a crime or spread corruption in the land, it is as if he has killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity.” (Al-Maida 5: 33).
This verse shows the gravity of murder, and it
reminds us that every human life has inestimable value. The act of killing an
innocent person is a grievous sin that brings about the wrath of Allah and
destroys social harmony. Murder is not just a crime against one particular
person, but a crime against society as a whole. Its injustice is everywhere,
and an entire society, even the world, suffers as a consequence.
Islam teaches piety (Taqwa) not only in prayer
and fasting, but also in respecting the rights of people and all other
creatures. A sincere Muslim fulfills their duty to their Creator, but they also
protect the dignity and lives of others; that is, they do not neglect common
rights. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was himself a model of peace, justice,
and brotherhood. Without Allah’s permission, neither in society nor in an
official war, did he ever strike or kill another person. In a Hadith narrated
by Bukhari, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah has no mercy for those who
have no mercy for others.” And in Tirmidhi, he (pbuh) said: “Have mercy
on the creatures of the earth (who live on this earth), and the One in the
heavens will have mercy on you.” This shows that mercy and compassion are
the foundation of faith.
In Ibn Majah and An-Nasa’i, it was reported
that our master (pbuh) said: “The destruction of the entire world is less
serious in the sight of Allah than the killing of a believer.” And in Bukhari
and Muslim, he (pbuh) said: “None of you should point a weapon at his Muslim
brother, for he does not know that Satan might tempt him to strike him (his
Muslim brother), and then he will fall into the pit of fire (Hell).” This
is a lesson that no Muslim should terrorise their Muslim brothers or sisters,
nor threaten them with weapons, even jokingly. Therefore, these Hadiths show
that Islam condemns all forms of gratuitous violence and protects human
dignity.
When people lose their sensitivity, when
political or military power uses violence to crush the weak, then society
collapses. Today, the massacre that Israel is carrying out against Palestinians
in Gaza and the West Bank is clear proof of disrespect for divine law and even
for human law, i.e. the law of these countries. Innocent people are being
killed, families are being destroyed, and the world remains calm (here, when I
say the world, I am referring to the leaders of these countries who have the
power to stop this evil but are not doing so).
According to recent reports from the UN and Al
Jazeera (July 2026), Israel has intensified its attacks in Gaza, with
airstrikes destroying mosques, markets, and houses. In just one week (13-20 July),
57 Palestinians were killed, including six children and eight women. An Israeli
drone struck a burial ground in the Nuseirat refugee camp, killing eight people
who were burying a dead body. An airstrike on Al-Muttaqin Mosque in Gaza City
destroyed the place of worship and wounded dozens of people. Entire families
have been wiped out, as was the case of Omar Sami Abu Qassem, his wife, and his
daughter, who were murdered in Deir el-Balah. These massacres show that Israeli
leaders are abusing their power, crushing the weak, and violating international
law. And this proves that these international laws, and even the ceasefires on
paper, are nothing but a smokescreen. They say with their mouths and on paper
that the oppressions Israel is committing must stop, but in reality, they let
Israel do whatever it wants! There is no true worldly justice. And in this
case, when the line is crossed, it is Allah Who takes charge of the matter, and
all the plans of these evildoers will come to naught. You may not see it today,
but the injustice they are committing is a step they are taking towards their
total destruction. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
So, all of this is a crime against humanity,
and when leaders abuse their power, it is the weak and defenceless who fall
victim. In Surah An-Nisa, Allah says: “O you who
believe, stand firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves or
your relatives.” This verse shows that justice does not depend on
power or wealth, but on truth. Whoever protects human life receives blessings
from Allah; whoever destroys it receives divine curse.
Throughout history, a single, poorly managed
murder can trigger an endless war. For example, in Syria, where the conflict
began and lasted for years, and where it claimed thousands of victims. It is
for this reason that Islam has prescribed capital punishment (Qisas) as
a means to deter people from committing such crimes: An eye for an eye, a tooth
for a tooth, a life for a life. It may seem like a bitter sentence, but it is a
remedy against crime. The one who has murdered deserves a just punishment, so
that society does not fall into private vengeance. The Holy Prophet (pbuh)
showed that justice must be respected even in difficult times. In the Treaty of
Hudaybiyyah, he (pbuh) demonstrated discipline and firm commitment when making
a peace treaty, where he (pbuh) agreed to return Abu Jandal (ra) and Abu Baseer
(ra) to the non-Muslims, despite the suffering, because he (pbuh) respected the
pact he had made. This shows that the law must be respected, even if it is not in
one’s favour. Today, we must remember that we live in a world not entirely
governed by Islamic law. Therefore, every Muslim must respect the law of their
country. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands, nor do they
have the right to kill for personal revenge. Legal justice is the only path to
stability and social peace.
After a murder, the victim’s family experiences
profound grief and a thirst for revenge. If the authorities do not act quickly,
social tensions can erupt. Therefore, the justice system must be mobilized
rapidly to alleviate suffering and prevent the situation from spiralling out of
control. Otherwise, people may take matters into their own hands and seek
justice on their own, which could lead to even more victims. Islam teaches
patience and recourse to legal justice. Comforting the families of victims,
supporting them with visits, and helping them gather evidence to catch the
criminal is society’s duty. Therefore, a pact must be respected even if it does
not favour one person or one nation. This discipline demonstrates that respect
for the law is the foundation of social peace.
Today, a problem in modern society is the lack
of respect for divine law and even human law. Leaders often abuse their power,
they crush the weak, and they turn a blind eye to crimes. When justice is not
applied, when corruption takes hold, then crime increases. Islam has warned
against this deviation. In Surah Al-Baqara, Allah says: “Do not spread corruption on the earth after it has been
put in order.” But unfortunately, criminals and oppressors do
exactly the opposite.
Therefore, preserving life is a religious and
social obligation. Islam teaches that the innocent deserve protection. Murder
is a crime that destroys society, brings war, and attracts divine wrath. Today,
these massacres against Palestinians are a reminder that the world has deviated
from justice. Islam calls for compassion, respect for covenants, and the strict
application of justice, but unfortunately, the leaders of non-Muslim nations do
not know the true values of Islam. They abuse their power, or even
though they witness these atrocities, they remain silent and take no worthwhile
action. Those who have power must know how to use it, not abuse it; the weak
must be protected. A just society is one where human life is respected, where
the law is applied, and where mercy prevails. Without it, humanity descends
into barbarity.
Therefore, the only solution is to return to
the justice of Allah, where justice must be applied when necessary, where
covenants must be respected, and the weak must be protected. Whoever has mercy
on Allah’s creatures, Allah will have mercy on him; whoever destroys human life
will incur divine wrath. This is a truth that each of us must meditate upon and
apply in our society.
May Allah protect His true servants from the
hands of oppressors and may humanity return to truth, with Taqwa
(God-consciousness, God-fearingness, righteousness, piety) and divine justice.
May Allah give help to the victims of oppression and help Islam and Muslims
regain their dignity and values in the world. Insha-Allah, Ameen.