Excerpts from the Friday Sermon at Masjid Al-Haram

 Excerpts from the Friday Sermon at Masjid Al-Haram

 

‎Title: The Everlasting Good Deeds (الباقيات الصالحات)

‎By: His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Mahir bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly – Imam and Khateeb of Masjid Al Haram

‎Date: 23 Muharram 1447 AH

‎Allah Almighty created the human being weak, so he proceeds in his journey, and to Him is his ultimate return. Allah said:

‎“Allah intends to lighten your burden, for the human being was created weak.” [Surah An-Nisa: 28]

‎He is created weak in body, in resolve, and in willpower. If something afflicts him, he becomes anxious. If something good befalls him, he becomes withholding. Life’s hardships nearly crush him. He is overwhelmed by anxiety, disasters, and worries causing him to lose balance, collapse into despair, or fall into confusion and hesitation. That is why he is in dire need of divine care to support his weakness and heal his brokenness.

‎Among the greatest supports and aids is the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) mentioned in both the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is among the easiest deeds, but among the most rewarding. It enlightens the heart, brings peace to the soul, and draws one nearer to Allah. Allah the Exalted says:

‎“Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” [Surah Ar-Ra’d: 28]

‎And among the greatest forms of dhikr is the phrase:

‎“لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ” (There is no power nor strength except with Allah)

‎It is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise. Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

‎The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me:

‎“Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of Paradise?”

‎I replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”

‎He said:

‎“Say: لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ.”

‎[Agreed upon – Bukhari & Muslim]

‎

‎The servant is in constant need of seeking Allah’s help—to perform what He commands, avoid what He prohibits, and endure difficulties. The phrase “la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah” affirms the right of Allah to be relied upon. It means: there is no movement away from sin, nor any power to perform good, except through Allah.

‎So do not rely on your own strength, nor think highly of your ability. Instead, know that any strength or endurance you have comes only from your Lord. You are not capable of being guided except by Him, nor standing firm except with His help, nor avoiding sin without His protection, nor entering Paradise except by His mercy. He alone is the One whose names are exalted and whose attributes are perfect.

‎

‎The Prophet ﷺ urged his Ummah to say this dhikr:

‎“لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ”

‎And he explained its great virtue: it leads to forgiveness of sins and shields from the Fire.

‎The Prophet ﷺ said:

‎“Say: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, for it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.”

‎[Authentic – Ibn Hibban and others]

‎And in another hadith:

‎“Whoever says: La ilaha illallah, and then says: Allahu Akbar, and then says: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah,”

‎the angels respond:

‎“He has spoken the truth.”

‎Then they say:

‎“Who will record the reward of this for him?”

‎So Allah says:

‎“Continue writing reward for My servant until you meet him.”

‎

‎And in the narration of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said:

‎“Be frequent in saying: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, for it is from the treasures of Paradise.”

‎[Authentic – Ibn Hibban]

‎The Prophet ﷺ also said:

‎“Shall I not inform you of a phrase that is one of the treasures of Paradise?”

‎They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”

‎He said:

‎“La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.”