Eid al-Fitr Khutbah 1447H / 2026M BUILDING THE HONOR OF THE UMMAH

Eid al-Fitr Khutbah 1447H / 2026M

BUILDING THE HONOR OF THE UMMAH

Dr MAZA

(The State Mufti of Perlis)

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

(The Khatib has the choice to either start with the nine times takbir as below or proceed directly to Alhamdulillah).

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِيْنُهُ، وَنسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُوْرِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ الله فَلاَ مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلاَ هَادِىَ لَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ اِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ، اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى ءَالِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ اِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا. وَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ: فَإِنَّ أَصْدَقَ الحَدِيْثِ كِتَابُ الله، وَخَيْرَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَشَرَّ الأُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا، وَكُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ، وَكُلَّ ضَلَالَةٌ فِى النَّارِ.

Respected brothers and sisters who are blessed by Allah,

All praise is for Allah because we have successfully passed through the blessed month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a major offer from Allah to His servants. Each of us can evaluate ourselves: how much did we appreciate the offer of Ramadan that we just went through? Did the Ramadan we finished yesterday increase our closeness to Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla?

When we reflect on ourselves, we will remember the prayer of Jibril that Prophet Muhammad SAW answered with "Ameen." Jibril prayed:

شَقِيَ عَبْدٌ أَدْرَكَ رَمَضَانَ، فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ، فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ.

Meaning: “Ruined is the servant who goes through the month of Ramadan and then leaves it without having his sins forgiven.” Then the Prophet SAW said: “Ameen.” (Authentic Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad).

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلهِ الْحَمْدُ

Respected brothers and sisters,

‘Idul Fitr is a day of honor for us. It becomes honorable because we followed Allah’s commands throughout the month of Ramadan. Thus, Syawal arrives for us to recite the takbir, magnifying Allah for all the guidance He has given us. Allah SWT says:

وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ١٨٥

Meaning: “And (He wants you) to complete the period (of Ramadan) and to glorify Allah for that [guidance] He has given you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 185).

Talking about honor, or al-‘Izzah (العِزَّة), we should know that the honor of a person whom Allah loves is not about arrogance or feeling more honorable than others. True honor is the strength of a believer's soul born from total dependence on Allah, so that he does not feel inferior, afraid, or humiliated in the face of falsehood, evil, or wrongdoing.

It means a believer does not surrender or bow down to what is wrong, even if he has to face risks or challenges in this world. Based on this foundation of honor or ‘izzah as a believer, Muslims in history moved to free other humans and call the world to the glorification of Allah and His teachings.

With this mission, Muslims freed humanity from being slaves to fellow creatures to being slaves only to Allah. From the cruelty of false religions or teachings to the justice and wisdom of Islam. From a narrow mindset focused only on worldly life to the vastness of the world and the hereafter. This was the slogan of honor that enabled the early generations of Islam to start building civilizations and, eventually, a great empire.

That is why, when a true Muslim army entered a country, it was not called a conquest or colonization. Instead, it was called al-Fath, which means an opening, like Fath al-Makkah (the Opening of Makkah). This means the arrival of Muslims in a region or country aimed to provide an opportunity to free the soul from oppression, humiliation, and cruelty into a just system based on the true faith (aqidah).

This was emphasized by a companion of the Prophet SAW named Rib’i bin ‘Amir (رِبْعِيُّ بْنُ عَامِرٍ) in front of the great Persian military commander of that time. Rib’i said:

اللَّهُ ابْتَعَثَنَا لِنُخْرِجَ مَنْ شَاءَ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ الْعِبَادِ إِلَىٰ عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ، وَمِنْ ضِيقِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَىٰ سَعَتِهَا، وَمِنْ جَوْرِ الْأَدْيَانِ إِلَىٰ عَدْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ

Meaning: “Allah sent us to bring out whoever He wills from the worship of fellow servants to the worship of Allah, from the narrowness of this world to its vastness, and from the cruelty of religions to the justice of Islam.”

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلهِ الْحَمْدُ

Respected brothers and sisters,

That is how great the Muslims were at that time. Although initially oppressed in Makkah, with a clear vision and mission after migrating to the small city of Madinah, the Muslims transformed into a great empire and became an example for others. This is the honor and the role that Muslims should carry out throughout the ages. Allah says in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 110:

كُنتُمۡ خَيۡرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِۗ ١١٠

Meaning: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.”

However, it is sad to see what we witness today. Where is this honor or izzah of the Muslims if we look at what is happening around the world? Where has the great Ummah gone, which once recorded glory and honor in the history of human civilization?

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلهِ الْحَمْدُ

Beloved brothers and sisters,

The personal honor that Allah bestowed upon this Ummah has been forgotten by many Muslims. They try various ways to achieve honor without following Islam. Some look to the West, some look to the East, some use race, culture, or heritage as a source of honor, and some look only to material wealth. All of these have failed to make this Ummah honorable. Instead, day by day, they become more humiliated.

Not only are Muslims unable to expand their missions to new regions, but they also fail to defend their own land and homelands. Eventually, many become slaves or are enslaved by others. Muslims are oppressed not only internationally but sometimes in their own homelands. This is the condition once mentioned by the Prophet SAW:

يُوشِكُ الأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ كَمَا تَدَاعَى الأَكَلَةُ إِلَى قَصْعَتِهَا فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ وَمِنْ قِلَّةٍ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ قَالَ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ كَثِيرٌ وَلَكِنَّكُمْ غُثَاءٌ كَغُثَاءِ السَّيْلِ وَلَيَنْزَعَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ صُدُورِ عَدُوِّكُمْ الْمَهَابَةَ مِنْكُمْ وَلَيَقْذِفَنَّ اللَّهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ الْوَهْنَ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْوَهْنُ قَالَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةُ الْمَوْتِ

Meaning: “The nations will soon summon one another to attack you as people invite others to a dish of food.” A companion asked, “Is it because our numbers will be few at that time, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “No, you will be many at that time, but you will be ghutha’ (like the foam and rubbish) on the water during a flood. Allah will take away the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and He will cast al-wahn into your hearts.” A companion asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is al-wahn?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Love of the world and fear of death.” (Narrated by Abu Daud).

The disease of al-wahn (الْوَهْنُ) is an excessive love for this world that leads one to sacrifice their principles and fear taking risks, even if it means living in humiliation. This is the very disease that has destroyed us. Because of this affliction, our enemies no longer fear us. We have loved the world so much that it has enslaved us and slipped from our control. This disease also makes many in the Ummah selfish, ignoring the responsibility to defend the Ummah.

However, when the companions of the Prophet SAW overcame this disease, the world was in their hands. One by one, great empires bowed to their leadership.

Internationally, we fail to face major powers and the cursed state of Isra##, which kills and attacks Muslim countries and regions as they please. Locally, we do not care when religion is mocked, anti-Islam groups control the situation or unfair actions are taken against Muslims who speak up to defend their religious identity and national values.

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلهِ الْحَمْدُ

Respected brothers and sisters,

The Quran reminds us that the primary trait of hypocrites (munafiq) is seeking strength or honor by collaborating with those who hate the teachings of Allah and His Messenger. They are willing to make themselves servants to the enemy, thinking they will achieve honor by taking them as leaders or close friends while abandoning the believers. In Surah An-Nisa, verses 138–139, Allah says:

بَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا ١٣٨ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۚ أَيَبۡتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعٗا ١٣٩

Meaning: “Give the hypocrites the news that there is for them a painful punishment; (Those) Who take disbelievers (anti-Islam) as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek honor (strength and glory) with them? Indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.”

اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اَللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Beloved brothers and sisters,

Under the takbir of this Eid al-Fitr, let us realize that the path to return to ‘izzah or honor has been shown by the Quran and the Sunnah. Among the things we can do to return to honor are:

First: Planting faith in our hearts that honor belongs to Allah. Honor will be gained when we follow Allah’s instructions. It is not just about position or material things. A life that obeys Allah’s commands is more honorable than a life doing things that displease Him, even if one is rich and powerful. Allah SWT says:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًاۚ ١٠

Meaning: “Whoever desires honor (izzah) – then to Allah belongs all honor.” (Surah Fatir, Verse 10).

Second: Freeing ourselves from feelings of inferiority, humiliation, and weakness in the face of falsehood and wrongdoing. Instead, see all falsehood as tiny before the Kingdom of Allah the Almighty, because all of it will lead to destruction in this world and punishment in the hereafter. Allah SWT says:

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِۦ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٨

Meaning: “But honor belongs to Allah, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.” (Surah Al-Munafiqun, Verse 8).

Third: We must become an Ummah that plays an active role in upholding goodness and the benefit of mankind. We cannot be a marginalized nation, or as the Prophet SAW said, like foam on water that cannot determine its own position and worth. Muslims must have the capability not only to defend themselves but also to carry the banner of Islam to others. Allah SWT says:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ أُمَّةٗ وَسَطٗا لِّتَكُونُواْ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ شَهِيدٗاۗ ١٤٣

Meaning: “And thus We have made you a wasat (middle) nation that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 143).

The word “wasata”, which translates to “middle” in our language, is emphasized by scholars of Tafsir to mean that Allah made the Muslim Ummah a nation that is just, honorable, and an example for other nations.

Fourth: We must unite in facing the enemy. The differences among us should not be a reason for us to lose strength when facing enemies who threaten religion and the future of this Ummah. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 46:

وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَنَٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡۖ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ ٤٦

Meaning: “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

بَارَكَ الله لِيْ وَلَكُمْ فِيْ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيْمِ وَنَفَعَنِيْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ بِمَا فِيْهِ مِنَ الآيَاتِ وَالذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيْمِ.

(for those who wish to read the khutbah in two parts, stop here and start with the second khutbah below. For those reading only one khutbah, continue until the end of this text).

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (7 times)

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَحْدَهُ، صَدَقَ وَعْدَهُ، وَنَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ، وَأَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ، وَهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيَكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عبده ورسوله. اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى آلِهِ وَ صَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِيْنَ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ،

Respected brothers and sisters,

Let us not despair or feel weak because of the condition of the Muslims today. Instead, make this situation a trust from Allah for all of us to work to uphold His religion and return this Ummah to the right track. This is a responsibility and a reward for all of us. The words of Allah in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verses 139–140, were addressed to the Prophet SAW and his companions after they experienced defeat in the Battle of Uhud due to incorrect steps taken by some of the companions:

وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ ١٣٩ إِن يَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ قَرۡحٞ فَقَدۡ مَسَّ ٱلۡقَوۡمَ قَرۡحٞ مِّثۡلُهُۥۚ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمۡ شُهَدَآءَۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ١٤٠

Meaning: “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers. If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the wrongdoers.”

اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا وَلِوَالِدِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ.

O Allah! Forgive us, our parents, and all believing men and women. O Allah! Grant Your guidance and mercy to all of us. O Allah! Make today truly a day of victory for us. Give happiness and joy to us, our families, and all the people in this state and country. Maintain the blessing of well-being and increase goodness and blessings from Your side.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ. رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ. وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.