Title of Sermon: The Clear Path
Elements of Sermon
Knowledge is a condition for the validity of belief.
One of the greatest qualities of Islamic belief is clarity and transparency.
The meaning and impact of the clarity of Islamic belief.
The ambiguity of misguided beliefs and its effects.
All praise be to Allah, the Clear Truth, who sent down His Book as a light and guidance for all worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, who showed us the straight path and conveyed the clear message. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
Fear Allah as He deserves to be feared, and be mindful of Him in both secrecy and openness. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ
"O you who believe, fear Allah as He should be feared, and do not die except as Muslims."
O servant of Allah,
Do you know what the final trial that will be presented to the believer is? It occurs when "he is placed in his grave, and two angels come to him and make him sit up, asking him: 'Who is your Lord?' He replies, 'My Lord is Allah.' They then ask, 'What is your religion?' He replies, 'My religion is Islam.' They ask, 'Who is this man who was sent among you?' He answers, 'He is the Messenger of Allah.' They finally ask, 'What do you know about him?' and he says, 'I read the Book of Allah and believed in it and affirmed it.'” (Narrated by Ahmad).
Indeed, you will be questioned: “What do you know about this man?” — referring to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
The believer or the one with true certainty will say: “He is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. He came to us with clear proofs and guidance, so we responded and followed him.” Then it will be said: “Sleep well, for we know you were certain in him.” However, the hypocrite or the doubter will say: “I don’t know; I heard the people saying something, so I said it.” (Agreed upon).
Servants of Allah,
Faith in Allah is of no benefit unless one understands its meaning, firmly believes in it, and is certain of it with acknowledgment, acceptance, and submission. This cannot be achieved unless a person has clear, unambiguous belief with no confusion or doubt.
One of the most significant features of Islamic belief is clarity. This correct belief is explained by Allah in His Book and by His Prophet ﷺ with the utmost clarity.
Do you know what it means for belief to be clear?
It means it is manifest and pure, with no ambiguity or confusion. Its words are smooth, its meanings clear, and it is easy to understand. A Muslim does not struggle to learn or understand its proofs. It is a belief free from sophistry or ambiguity, with no obscurity or complexity, no doubtfulness or opacity. The truth within it is evident and indisputable, clear and without error.
There are no secrets or enigmas within it; it has no hidden meanings that contradict its outward ones, nor anything that is not intended to be understood. Belief comprises firm fundamentals that settle in the heart, becoming like a blessed, fruitful tree that yields all kinds of goodness.
This belief, with its evidence and proofs, is understandable to everyone, simple for the young and the unlettered, addressing both minds and hearts without pretension. As soon as the Arabic speaker hears the Book of Allah recited, they grasp what is required and the truth enters their heart.
It is Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who took it upon Himself to clarify this belief in His clear Book, and His Prophet ﷺ conveyed it with a clear message. Allah revealed His Book as proof and light to bring His servants from darkness to light and guide them to a straight path. Thus, He made it with clear verses, evident truth, precise and detailed, with no crookedness or ambiguity.
Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بُرْهَانٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُبِينًا
“O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light” (An-Nisa’ 4:174).
And He says:
قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُبِينٌ * يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ وَيُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
“There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book by which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to paths of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path” (Al-Ma’idah 5:15-16).
And He says:
كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
“A Book whose verses have been detailed, an Arabic Qur’an for people who know” (Fussilat 41:3).
This clarity and explanation were the way of all messengers in conveying the message from Allah. Allah says:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ رَسُولٍ إِلَّا بِلِسَانِ قَوْمِهِ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ
“And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to make [the message] clear for them” (Ibrahim 14:4).
And He says:
وَإِنْ يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَبِالزُّبُرِ وَبِالْكِتَابِ الْمُنِيرِ
“And if they deny you, so did those before them deny. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs and written ordinances and the enlightening Scripture” (Fatir 35:25).
The devils among humans and jinn have clouded people’s natural disposition and led them astray from the straight path until they have become blind to Allah. Thus, some have disbelieved in Him, while others have associated partners with Him. Allah decreed to guide all His creation, pointing them to Himself with clear proof, so no one would have an excuse. He said:
إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا لَلْهُدَى
“Indeed, upon Us is guidance” (Al-Layl 92:12).
For this reason, the Prophet ﷺ undertook the fullest effort in explaining the Qur’an, as Allah revealed to him the purified Sunnah as guidance and clarification, adding light upon light. Allah says:
وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ
“And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them” (An-Nahl 16:44).
He ﷺ lived among the companions, explaining to them what might be unclear and encouraging them to ask, learn, and seek deep understanding of the religion of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ used to tell his companions, “Ask me about anything, and I will explain it to you.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). He would answer them in clear and simple Arabic, without affected speech or exaggeration, using plain language that could be understood by both young and old alike.
The Mother of the Believers, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), described the speech of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, saying, “The speech of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was clear and straightforward, understood by everyone who heard it.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
Servants of Allah:
Allah has perfected His religion and clarified it in full detail. He made His Book an explanation for everything, and He did not take His Prophet ﷺ until the message of the religion had been fully conveyed. Allah says:
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims” (An-Nahl 16:89).
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ left us with no bird flapping its wings in the sky except that he mentioned to us something of knowledge about it. And he ﷺ said, 'Nothing that brings closer to Paradise or distances from Hellfire has been left without being clarified for you.’” (Narrated by At-Tabarani).
The Prophet ﷺ left his nation upon a clear path —the straight path— pure and clear, and no one deviates from it except someone whose heart is corrupt and who follows his desires.
He ﷺ said, “I have left you upon a clear path; its night is like its day. No one deviates from it after me except one who is doomed.” (Narrated by Ahmad).
Tell me, by your Lord, what clarity and explanation could be greater than Allah’s words about Himself?
When you read the Quran, you come to know your Lord and His perfection. Allah guides you to understand that He is the unique Lord, with no equal or counterpart. He has the most beautiful names, did not beget nor was begotten, and possesses all qualities of perfection, majesty, and beauty. He is exalted above all imperfections and deficiencies, eternally alive, self-sustaining, all-hearing, all-seeing, all-knowing, wise, mighty, and merciful.
He is the Creator, the Originator, the One who gives life and takes it away, and the One who manages all affairs. He bestows and withholds, lowers and elevates. None among His creation possesses even an atom’s weight of control or authority. He does as He wills, greater than all things, settled upon His Throne above the heavens, encompassing all with His mercy and knowledge.
You read the greatest verse of the Book of Allah—Ayat al-Kursi—and you come to know your Lord by His greatness and divinity, which belong only to Him. You read Surah al-Ikhlas and learn of His oneness and self-sufficiency; there is no god but He.
Allah has clarified the fundamentals of faith in His Book and provided proofs that the rational minds can comprehend, which only the obstinate reject. He has made it clear, free from superstition and foolishness.
Just as He clarified the straight path, the truth, and the guidance, He also made clear the paths of the devils and the misguided beliefs, along with the reasons for their deviation, with a complete and sufficient explanation. He says,
وَكَذَلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ
“Thus We detail the verses so that the way of the criminals may become evident” (Al-An’am 6:55).
The polytheists went astray, so Allah said about them:
وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلَا حَيَاةً وَلَا نُشُورًا
“And they have taken besides Him gods who create nothing, while they are themselves created and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit, and possess not power to cause death or life or resurrection” (Al-Furqan 25:3).
The Christians went astray regarding Isa (Jesus), so Allah responded to them, saying:
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَى عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was” (Al-Imran 3:59).
The Prophet ﷺ informed his companions and nation about the one-eyed false messiah, saying: “The false messiah is a man who is short, bowlegged, curly-haired, blind in one eye; it is not prominent nor deeply recessed. If you are confused about him, know that your Lord is not one-eyed, and you will not see your Lord until you die.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
Thus, you will not read the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ without finding that the path is clarified with great proofs and complete explanation. So, what follows the truth but error?
May Allah bless me and you in the Noble Quran, and benefit us with its verses and wise reminders. I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, and may blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and those who follow him. To proceed:
Servants of Allah:
Nations that have gone astray from Allah due to their misguided beliefs have offered their followers nothing but obscurity and confusion, and contradictions that lead to inner turmoil. The motto of their leaders to their naive followers is, "Believe blindly!" They openly declare, "Our beliefs are secrets not for you to understand, only to accept!"
They speak to them of divinity and humanity combined, of a third of three, of a god who embodied himself as a human, or of a helpless, needy man with supposed power over the mighty, self-sufficient Lord. They tell of the dead, whose bodies decay in graves, yet they claim these are given control over all matters! When the common people ask, “How can this be? Is it logical?” they are told, “Whoever questions is expelled from the kingdom.” Understanding is supposedly reserved for the elite, but how miserable is such ignorance and foolishness.
Or they tell them of matter that came from nothing, without a creator; life formed from matter, without a Maker; intricacy and balance, yet no designer; a universe and life formed in perfect order by sheer randomness! They speak of a person who strives, thinks, and for whom all of creation is subjugated, yet they tell him he lives without law, without destiny, without purpose! Allah speaks the truth when He says:
وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَنْعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسْمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَاءً وَنِدَاءً صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
“The example of those who disbelieve is like that of someone who shouts at what hears nothing but calls and cries—deaf, dumb, and blind; so they do not understand” (Al-Baqarah 2:171).
The clarity of Islam in its creed and its answers to the soul’s questions and the mind’s inquiries yields tranquility and steadfastness, whereas the obscurity of false creeds results in confusion, unrest, and division.
O Allah, keep us firm upon faith, open our hearts with certainty, and do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us.
O Allah, grant victory to Your oppressed servants in Gaza and everywhere. Relieve the distressed among the believers and give victory to Your monotheistic servants over the criminal Zionists.
O Allah, grant us security in our lands, and rectify our leaders and those in authority over us. Place our affairs in the hands of those who fear You, are mindful of You, and seek Your pleasure.
Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.
