The sermon emphasized the significance of faith, drawing from religious texts and teachings to underscore its importance in leading a meaningful life. Quoting verses from the Quran and Hadith, the sermon highlighted the qualities that epitomize true faith and the rewards promised to believers by Allah.

Addressing the faithful, the sermon stressed the essential elements of faith, including belief in the existence of Allah, adherence to divine commandments, and emulation of the Prophet's exemplary life. It emphasized that true faith is manifested through one's actions, morals, and interactions with others.

Moreover, the sermon highlighted the resilience that faith provides in the face of adversity and oppression, citing historical examples such as the events of Çanakkale and the War of Independence. It urged believers to stand firm in their faith and support those facing oppression, drawing inspiration from the struggles of their fellow Muslims in Gaza.

In concluding the sermon, a supplication from the Holy Quran was recited, emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness and guidance from Allah.

The weekly sermon serves as a cornerstone of religious practice for Muslims worldwide, providing guidance and inspiration to millions of worshippers across Turkey and beyond.

The full text of the sermon is as follows:

FAITH: THE MEASURE THAT MAKES LIFE VALUABLE

Honorable Muslims!

In the verse I have recited, our Lord Almighty (swt) states, “Allah has promised those who believe and do good His forgiveness and a great reward.”

In the hadith I have read, our Prophet (saw) says, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: 1. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger are dearer than anything else, the one who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake, and the one who hates to revert to disbelief as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”

Dear Believers!

Faith is the belief in the existence of Allah (swt), His angels, His books, His prophets, the Last Day, and that qada (decree) and qadar (destiny) are controlled by Him.  Faith is a covenant to follow the commandments of our Lord (swt), refrain from what He has prohibited, and maintain a steadfast character as a believer. It is to remove the obstacles on the path to righteousness, justice, benevolence and mercy, and peace and happiness. Faith entails wholehearted dedication to the divine principles conveyed in the Qur’an and adopting the exemplary life of the Prophet (saw) as a guide in all aspects of life.

Dear Muslims!

The true essence of faith is realized when it manifests itself in our behavior and guides our morals. When our faith finds expression through our words, it transforms into dhikr and gratitude. When it is reflected in our eyes, it embodies chastity and modesty. When our faith is reflected on our face, it appears as a smile, and when it is reflected on our mind, it fosters contemplation. Our faith embodies sincerity when it resonates within our hearts, and it manifests as love, respect, compassion, and mercy when mirrored in our interactions within our families. Our hearts overflow with love, and our homes find peace. When our faith is reflected in our business and commercial lives, it embodies truthfulness and honesty. Halal and haram sensitivities are upheld, while both public and private rights are conscientiously respected. When our faith is mirrored in social interactions, it fosters justice, trust, and peace. Our unity and solidarity are bolstered and the finest instances of friendship and brotherhood are experienced.

Dear Believers!

We hold the belief that our Lord (swt) is constantly present with us and will not abandon us, which we believe will contribute to our success in the trials of this world. It is our faith that will make us strong in the face of all difficulties and keep our hope for the future alive. It is our faith that empowers us to withstand oppression, evil, and injustice. As a matter of fact, our beloved nation has said “Stop!” to all the unlawful attacks in the past with the strength it draws from its faith in Çanakkale and the War of Independence. The help of our Lord (swt) has always been with us. Today, too, a handful of mujahidin in Gaza are resisting against the oppressors with the strength they draw from their faith. With their unwavering faith in Allah (swt), they are fighting against the oppressors. Our Lord (swt) states, اَللّٰهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُواۙ يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ اِلَى النُّورِۜ   “Allah is the Guardian of the believers. He brings them out of darkness and into light.”  What falls upon us is not to withhold our material and moral support from our brothers and sisters until they live freely in their homeland.

Dear Muslims!

Endless praise and thanks be to Allah the Almighty that He has granted us such a great blessing as faith. When we manifest our faith across all facets of our lives, we express gratitude for this immense blessing. As long as we endeavor to perfect our faith with righteous deeds and good morals, we will gain the pleasure of our Lord (swt). When we become good believers, where no one is harmed by our hands and tongue, we represent and communicate Islam in the best way.

I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following supplication we are taught in the Holy Qur’an:

رَبَّنَٓا اِنَّـنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِياً يُنَاد۪ي لِلْا۪يمَانِ اَنْ اٰمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاٰمَنَّاۗ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّـنَا مَعَ الْاَبْرَارِۚ

 “Our Lord! We have heard the caller to true belief, proclaiming, ‘Believe in your Lord alone’, so we believed. Our Lord! Forgive our sins. Absolve us of our misdeeds. Join us with the virtuous when we die.” (ILKHA)