Pre-Jumu’ah Khutbah: Medina Charter Offers a Blueprint for a Peaceful Society

Mr. Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, spoke before the Friday sermon. He said the Prophet (PBUH) stayed in Madina for 13 years after he received prophethood. There he spread the word of Allah among the Ummah. Allah kept the Prophet (PBUH) and his companion Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) safe from the disbelievers on the journey from Makkah to Madina.

The Khatib said the Prophet (PBUH) led two rakat of prayer at Masjidul Aqsa during the Miraj. The prophets stood there with him. He said Allah also helped the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions at Badr and gave them victory over the disbelievers. In his Farewell Hajj speech, the Prophet (PBUH) asked if he had delivered the message of Allah. The companions said yes.

The Khatib said the rules of the Quran and Hadith are safe. Anyone who tampers with them will face shame. Allah has taken the duty to protect the Quran. He said a group will stay on the truth until the Day of Judgment, and no one can harm them. He added that the rank of one companion is higher than thousands of Abdul Qadir Jilani.

He said Allah comforted His beloved through Jibril (AS). Allah told him not to worry, because He will make him happy about his Ummah. The Khatib prayed that Allah makes us a true Ummah. Ameen.

Mr. Morshed Alam Salehi, Khatib of Shahi Mosque in Shyamoli, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, also spoke. He said history holds examples that teach all people for all time. The Madina Charter is one such document. At that time tribal feuds, revenge and religious splits hurt peace. The Prophet (PBUH) then built a social agreement in Madina based on justice, safety, mutual rights and living together.

He said Muslims, many tribes and Jewish people lived in Madina. The Charter set rules for their rights, duties and safety. One key lesson is that people of different faiths and identities can live in peace through justice and agreements. Allah says in the Quran that there is no force in religion (Surah Al Baqarah, verse 256).

On justice, Allah says hatred for a people must not stop you from being fair. He says to be fair, because that is closer to fear of Allah (Surah Al Maidah, verse 8). On peace, Allah tells us to help each other in good deeds and not in sin (Surah Al Maidah, verse 2). Keeping promises is another lesson. Allah tells the believers to fulfil their agreements (Surah Al Maidah, verse 1).

The Prophet (PBUH) said the blood, wealth and honor of a Muslim are forbidden for another Muslim (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2564). The Khatib said division, violence, intolerance and distrust now harm our peace. The lessons of the Madina Charter can guide us again. A kind, safe and peaceful society will grow when we hold to justice, respect, safety, duty and loyalty to agreements.

Mr. Abdur Rahim Kasemi, Khatib of the old Baitul Mamur Jame Mosque in Mirpur, also gave a talk. He said the Ulama are the heirs of the prophets and carry the Quran. Their rank with Allah is very high. He said it is a duty of faith to protect their honor, and no one may criticize them out of hatred.

He said it is also a grave sin to harm anyone’s honor, backbite, gossip or blame someone falsely. These acts can ruin a person’s faith and deeds. The Ulama must carry the true word of the Quran and Sunnah to people. They must correct mistakes, guide the nation from the pulpit and in every talk, and speak up when something goes against the Quran and Sunnah.

He said Islam and the beliefs of Muslims will stay right as long as the Ulama do this duty. If they stop, the nation will go astray. He quoted Surah Fatir (35:28), which says the Ulama fear Allah most among His servants. He also quoted Surah Al Mujadilah (58:11), which says Allah raises the rank of those who believe and have knowledge.

He quoted the Prophet (PBUH), who said the Ulama are the heirs of the prophets (Sunan Abu Dawud 3641, Jami at Tirmidhi 2682). The Prophet (PBUH) also said a scholar’s rank over a simple worshipper is like his own rank over the lowest among them (Jami at Tirmidhi 2685). He said abusing a Muslim is a sin (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 48). Abusing a scholar, attacking him with rude words or calling him by insulting names is a greater sin. The Khatib prayed that Allah keeps us away from all sins. Ameen.

Mr. Rahmatullah Taqi bin Abdul Gani, Khatib of Rasulbagh Jame Mosque in Mugda Bank Colony, Dhaka, said parents are among the greatest blessings of Allah. They bring us into this world. They are our first teachers and show selfless love. So Islam gives great weight to their rank and to good treatment of them.

He said Allah orders good treatment of parents right after the order to worship Him. Allah says to worship Him, to join no partner with Him and to be kind to parents (Surah An Nisa, verse 36). Allah also says to be thankful to Him and to our parents, and that we will all return to Him (Surah Luqman, verse 14).

The Khatib said these verses show that thanks to parents is a key duty of a child, along with thanks to Allah. He prayed that Allah helps us pay the rights of our parents, serve them while they live and pray for them after they die. Ameen.

Mr. Foyzullah Jibonpuri, Khatib of Baitun Nur Jame Mosque in North Manda, Mugda, Dhaka, said death is the surest truth of life. No one has escaped it, and no one ever will. He told the worshippers that there is no way to run from death. The Quran says every soul will taste death, and then all will return to Allah (Surah Ankabut).

He said the Hadith tells us that if a person could escape death as he cannot escape his fixed provision, he would find a safe place to hide. But that is not possible. The Quran also says the death you run from will meet you (Surah Jumu’ah). Even inside a strong fort, death will find a person (Surah An Nisa). He said every life has a fixed time, and it can move neither earlier nor later by even a moment.

At the end, the Khatib urged the worshippers to prepare for death. He asked them to do the deeds of Jannah and open the door to a happy home in the next life. He prayed that Allah lets us live as the righteous do and leave this world with the certificate of Jannah. Ameen.