Genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang

Dr Mozammel Haque

Conservative Member for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, secured an urgent question on Chinese Government’s Use of Uyghur Slave Labour in Xinjiang on Wednesday, the 16th of December 2020. 

It is good that Sir Iain Duncan Smith has brought this important issue to the House. There were very strong contributions on this issue and the House is united in its call for the government to take immediate action.

During the discussion of this question it is found some members raised the question of the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims which is atrocious, abhorrent, frankly speaking, hallowing. There is a grave human rights abuses committed and perpetrated against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. 

Not only the Parliamentarians of the British Parliament, even the International community has been shocked, saddened and appalled by the plight of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. An appalling genocide is being committed and perpetuated against the Uyghur Muslims.

There is a vivid picture given by The Atlantic  paper about the mentality of the Chinese Government. 

China is Treating Islam like a Mental Illness - The Atlantic

As early as 2018, The Atlantic paper under the Caption: [China is Treating Islam like a Mental Illness] has given a vivid picture of the atrocities being committed against the Uyghur Muslims. It said, “One million Muslims are being held right now in Chinese internment camps, according to estimates cited by the UN and U.S. officials. Former inmates—most of whom are Uighurs, a largely Muslim ethnic minority—have told reporters that over the course of an indoctrination process lasting several months, they were forced to renounce Islam, criticize their own Islamic beliefs and those of fellow inmates, and recite Communist Party propaganda songs for hours each day.”

Sigal Samuel reported in the paper, “There are media reports of inmates being forced to eat pork and drink alcohol, which are forbidden to Muslims, as well as reports of torture and death. “The sheer scale of the internment camp system, which according to The Wall Street Journal,  has doubled in China’s north-western Xinjiang region just within the last year, is mindboggling. The U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China describes it as “the largest mass incarceration of a minority population in the world today.” Beijing began by targeting Uighur extremists, but now even benign manifestations of Muslim identity—like growing a long beard—can get a Uighur sent to a camp, the Journal noted. Earlier this month, when a UN panel confronted a senior Chinese official about the camps, he said there are “no such things as reeducation centers,” even though government documents refer to the facilities that way. Instead, he claimed they’re just vocational schools for criminals.(The Atlantic, 28 August 2018)

Genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang

In the British Parliament, Sir Iain Duncan Smith said, Mr Zenz and IPAC have also shown that the Chinese Government forced Uyghur women into sterilisation. As a result, the Uyghur population in those regions fell by as much as 84% between 2015 and 2018. That is action verging, I believe, on genocide.”

Labour Member for Wigan, Lisa Nandy, said, “Yesterday, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the treatment of the Uyghur people as an “unfathomable mass atrocity”. He added: “Let no person say that the responsibility lies with others.”

The shocking BBC revelations must be the trigger for action, following accounts of forced sterilisations, beatings and re-education camps, which undeniably share features of genocide.”

Lisa Nandy asked, “Has the Minister considered the use of the 1984 convention against torture, a potential international legal process that does not present the same jurisdictional challenges facing the International Criminal Court or face the same evidence bar?”

Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhot, said, “This report by Adrian Zenz is extremely powerful and makes clear and sobering reading. I am sure the Minister will have followed the Foreign Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, where we heard from Uyghur activists—one in Europe and one in the United States—as well as human rights lawyers and a UN expert. They all made clear their view on the human rights violations that we are witnessing today.”

Conservative Member for Newbury, Laura Farris, said, “It was disappointing to read this week that the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court had declined to investigate China in respect of the persecution of Uyghur Muslims on the basis that the court did not have jurisdiction to do so, and we know that the UK tribunal led by Geoffrey Nice has no legal teeth of its own, so will my hon. Friend consider working with our many international partners to seek a special resolution at the UN and perhaps even establish a specialist tribunal, so that in time those responsible for these crimes can be brought to justice?”

Genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The Guardian reported about the case of the complaint by more than 60 parliamentarians from 16 countries. Patrick Wintour  reported in the Guardian under the caption (International Politicians back Uighur genocide claim), “The complaint, backed by more than 60 parliamentarians from 16 countries, says the Chinese government may be committing crimes amounting to genocide and other crimes against humanity against the Uighur and other Turkic peoples. The letter claims mass deportation of Uighurs has occurred in Tajikistan and Cambodia, both signatories to the ICC, into China.

The claim, sent to the chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is seen as an early test case of the human rights climate since Joe Biden became president-elect.

The Guardian also reported, “It has wide cross-party support in a number of countries, including from the former UK Conservative party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the Australian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching and Margarete Bause of the German Green party. The claim has been organised the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

The letter states: “The ICC has a unique ability to adjudicate on alleged genocide and crimes against humanity internationally. We call on the ICC to play its part in ensuring that the perpetrators of the most egregious human rights abuses are held accountable and prevented from acting with impunity.”

The report continues, “The Labour peer Helena Kennedy QC, the IPAC co-chair and director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, said: “Mounting evidence points to the most horrific abuses against Uighurs and other minorities in the Xinjiang region. The international criminal court must fully examine the allegations brought before it and, if warranted, make every effort to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

“Rodney Dixon, the barrister leading on the detailed legalities of the claim, said: “The support for our complaint shown by the IPAC parliamentarians is very significant. The prosecutor should feel encouraged that so many parliamentarians from other ICC member states believe she should open an investigation into officials of the Chinese government for the atrocities being committed against the Uighur and other Turkic people.

“For too long, nothing of substance has been done to bring justice to those who are suffering on a daily basis at the hands of the Chinese government. This is a breakthrough and momentous opportunity which we urge the ICC prosecutor to pursue without delay. This chance should not be squandered.” (The Guardian, 10 November, 2020)

“The case is an early test for the ICC in the new international human rights climate established by Donald Trump’s defeat. Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC’s chief prosecutor and another senior official in response to the court’s investigation of US actions in Afghanistan as well consideration of Israeli actions in Palestine,” Patrick Wintour reported in The Guardian, 10 November 2020.

British Parliament

House of Commons

As I said earlier, Conservative Member for Chingford and Woodford Green, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, secured an urgent question on Chinese Government’s Use of Uyghur Slave Labour in Xinjiang on Wednesday, the 16th of December 2020. 

During the discussion of this question it was found that the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims is atrocious, abhorrent, frankly speaking, hallowing. There is grave human right abuses committed and perpetuated against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. 

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP (Con)

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP said, Mr Zenz and IPAC have also shown that the Chinese Government forced Uyghur women into sterilisation. As a result, the Uyghur population in those regions fell by as much as 84% between 2015 and 2018. That is action verging, I believe, on genocide.”

Lisa Nandy, MP (Lab)

Labour Member for Wigan, Lisa Nandy, said, “Yesterday, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis described the treatment of the Uyghur people as an “unfathomable mass atrocity”. He added: “Let no person say that the responsibility lies with others.”

The shocking BBC revelations must be the trigger for action, following accounts of forced sterilisations, beatings and re-education camps, which undeniably share features of genocide.”

Lisa Nandy asked, “Has the Minister considered the use of the 1984 convention against torture, a potential international legal process that does not present the same jurisdictional challenges facing the International Criminal Court or face the same evidence bar?”

Tom Tugendhot MP (Con)

Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, Tom Tugendhot, said,  “This report by Adrian Zenz is extremely powerful and makes clear and sobering reading. I am sure the Minister will have followed the Foreign Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, where we heard from Uyghur activists—one in Europe and one in the United States—as well as human rights lawyers and a UN expert. They all made clear their view on the human rights violations that we are witnessing today.”

Ms Nusrat Ghani, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative MP for Wealden, Ms. Nusrat Ghani, said, “I want to add my weight to the Chief Rabbi’s intervention, which exposes the abuse of the Uyghur. The Chief Rabbi also said that there must be an “urgent, independent and unfettered investigation into what is happening.” She asked, “Can the Minister comment on that? As crimes against humanity by the Chinese Government grow, has the Chinese ambassador been summoned to explain what is happening?”

Nigel Adams replied,“My hon. Friend is right to raise a number of points. We are seriously concerned about a number of gross violations of human rights that are being perpetrated against Uyghur men and women and other minorities in Xinjiang. The Chief Rabbi is spot on, and we share his concerns about these violations that are being perpetrated. As I said, we are working internationally and co-operating with our partners on this issue. I am hopeful that my hon. Friend will draw some comfort in the new year from the new measures that we bring forward.”

Rachel Hopkins, MP (Lab)

Labour Member for Luton South, Rachel Hopkins said, “The abhorrent persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by the Chinese Government must receive sustained international condemnation. The UK Government must be a key player in that and must not sit back and let the abuses continue. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to support the appointment of a UN special rapporteur for the investigation of forced labour and ethnic persecution in Xinjiang?”

Nigel Adams, Minister for Asia, replied, “We have been leading on this issue internationally, and I referred to the 38 other countries that joined us at the UN in one of the many statements that we have made on this issue. However, any action we take at the UN has to have an opportunity of succeeding, and there is no point bringing forward measures that will potentially give the intended target a propaganda coup.

Christian Wakeford, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative Member for Bury South, Christian Wakeford, said, “I have been shocked, saddened and appalled by the plight of the Uyghurs in China. This was reinforced yesterday by the words of the Chief Rabbi. I would like to inquire what practical steps the Minister and the Foreign Secretary are taking to hold China to account for its disturbing and abhorrent actions.

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied,“We welcome the Chief Rabbi’s intervention, and we share his serious concerns about the violations that are being perpetrated against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. I can assure my hon. Friend that we are playing a leading role internationally in holding China to account for these violations. We have led or co-ordinated multiple joint statements on this issue. This groundswell of international concern does send a powerful message, and I can assure him that it is increasing the pressure on the Chinese authorities to change course.

Andrew Gwynne, M.P. (Lab) 

Labour MP for Denton and Reddish, Andrew Gwynne, asked, “The treatment of the Uyghurs is atrocious. Will the Minister confirm that the imposition of measures intended to prevent births within an ethnic or religious group is expressly forbidden under the terms of article II(d) of the UN convention on genocide, and will he seriously consider what international actions can be taken beyond joint statements to respond to the human rights abuses being committed in Xinjiang?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied, “The hon. Gentleman is right to refer to this. We debated that very issue some months ago in the Chamber. Of course, we abhor any of those practices. He refers to the term “genocide”. That very much has a specific definition in international law. It is our long-standing policy that any “judgment as to whether crimes against humanity or genocide have occurred is absolutely a matter for judicial decision.”

Alicia Kearns, M.P. (Con)

Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns, said, “The ever-increasing body of evidence of industrialised atrocities by the Chinese Communist party brings into stark focus my calls for the creation of an atrocity prevention unit at the FCDO. Does my hon. Friend agree that, internationally, we must ensure that the cost to the CCP’s reputation and economy is so great that it finally ceases the appalling genocide being committed against the Uyghur people, and what steps is he taking to magnify those costs to the greatest extent possible?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams, replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her continued work in this area. I agree that it is absolutely vital that China understands the breadth of international concern about the situation in Xinjiang. She knows that we have taken the lead internationally on this issue. We have gone from 28 countries supporting a joint statement in June to 39 countries supporting a statement at the UN in October. This does send a powerful message to China, and if international businesses continue to take the action we are urging to ensure their supply chains are free of forced labour—I note that a number of prominent UK businesses have already done so—that will also send an important message to China.”

David Johnston, M.P. )Con) 

Conservative MP for Wantage, David Johnston, said, “The abhorrent persecution of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang by the Chinese Government must receive sustained international condemnation. The UK Government must be a key player in that and must not sit back and let the abuses continue. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to support the appointment of a UN special rapporteur for the investigation of forced labour and ethnic persecution in Xinjiang?”

Dr Andrew Murrison, M. P. (Con)

Conservative MP for South West Wiltshire, Dr. Andrew Murrison, said, “Well done, Chief Rabbi, for being one of the most authentic voices to speak out in support of the Uyghur people. Well done, Ministers, too, for taking a lead in October at the United Nations. Will the Minister persuade not only his colleagues, but the Governments that he persuaded in October to support the Uyghur people, to look at national public procurement supply chains to ensure that, while it is difficult to persuade the fashion industry to eschew dubiously sourced cotton, national Governments are doing everything in their power to ensure that products in their supply chains—I am thinking particularly of uniforms—have nothing to do with cotton sourced from countries that may be using forced labour?”

Nigel Adams 

The Minister for Asia, Nigel Adams replied, “As I said, we are working cross-Government and we are working intensively with our international partners. It is absolutely the case that we should be bringing pressure to bear on those companies that are operating in the region. This is an area on which we will have a bit more to say in the new year, but I give him my assurance that we are working very co-operatively with our international partners on these issues, as well as across Government.”

Rushanara Ali, M.P. (Lab)

Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, said, “Some of the comments that the Minister has made remind me of his predecessor’s responses to the situation in Myanmar against Rohingya Muslims. It shows that the failure of our Government to take a strong international leadership role to secure justice sends a dangerous message to repressive Governments around the world that ethnic cleansing and genocide against Muslims and other minorities is an acceptable policy tool. That is the message that he is sending, so it is time that our Government stop making excuses. I appreciate what he is doing, but he needs to look at the record of action and inaction in the past and learn from that.”

She asked, “That is why I call on him once again to heed the advice of Members across the House and start to apply sanctions—Magnitsky sanctions —and to seek a UN investigation into what is happening, as well as supporting the International Court of Justice case on genocide prevention led by the Gambia in relation to the Rohingya Muslims, because it is just not acceptable for our Government to continue to make excuses.”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister Nigel Adams replied, “We are not making excuses. I have a lot of time for the hon. Lady and we have spoken at great length on these issues, both inside and outside the Chamber. We are taking a lead; if that was not the case, a rising number of countries would not be supporting our statements at the UN. We are of course looking very closely at the case in Myanmar—we have discussed it face-to-face on a number of occasions and will continue to do.”

Laura Farris, M.P. (Con) 

Conservative Member for Newbury, Laura Farris, said, “It was disappointing to read this week that the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court had declined to investigate China in respect of the persecution of Uyghur Muslims on the basis that the court did not have jurisdiction to do so, and we know that the UK tribunal led by Geoffrey Nice has no legal teeth of its own, so will my hon. Friend consider working with our many international partners to seek a special resolution at the UN and perhaps even establish a specialist tribunal, so that in time those responsible for these crimes can be brought to justice?”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister, Nigel; Adams, replied, “I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue. A whole range of options is available to us that involve working with the UN. As I mentioned in a previous answer, whatever steps we take have to have a realistic chance of being successful in that particular forum. We will continue to work with our international partners, as she suggests; working alongside our international partners is the best approach in this regard.”

Sam Tarry 

Labour Member for Ilford South, Sam Tarry, said, “We have rightly heard from both sides of the House condemnation of the atrocious, barbaric and, quite frankly, harrowing treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang. Members from all parties who have been working on the National Security and Investment Bill over the past month heard evidence from none another than Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, who sketched out a very complex picture that clearly showed that for far too long successive Governments have placed economic interests, including with China, far ahead of our human rights obligations. Will the Minister consider that and say whether he will look again at our relationship with China and not prioritise economic interests ahead of either national security or human rights?”

Nigel Adams 

Foreign Minister, Nigel Adams, replied, “The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this issue. Obviously trade with China is important to us. As I said earlier, it is the fourth largest trading partner. It is important to help UK firms to overcome the economic challenges of covid and ensure our long-term prosperity, but I can guarantee the hon. Gentleman that we will not sacrifice either our values or our security in that regard.”

Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi Refrain from Hurting or Harming Others

 Dr Mozammel Haque

O believers, please refrain from hurting and teasing anyone else, as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who hurt others they earn little action in their account, said the Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah al-Munawwarah, Dr. Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh in his Khutbah on 11^th of December 2020.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “In the explanation of the Qur’an, our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has explained and he has given a very dire warning to those who commit harm and hurt others – any human beings or animals, specially believers. Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said a believer is the brother of every believer; he never lets his brother down or hurt him.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh said, “We cannot harm any animal; so what about harming other human beings. As Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has warned in a public address that all those people who seem to act and pretend to be Muslim but their heart is not completely Muslim; stop hurting and doing harms to others, your fellow brothers and stop derogating them, stop making them feel ashamed of for certain things because those who do like this, they will be given same treatment sooner or later. Even in our neighbourhoods, we should respect, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, that those who are believers they will never harm any neighbourhood.”

 

He also mentioned, “These days social media is used to derogate individuals and to hurt even communities and religions on the balance those who end up doing wrong to others and hurt others, they will be facing their reckoning. Hurting others is not on individuals one to one only; it also includes hurting others and public benefit and creating public nuisance as it is called. Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who pollute public waters and public highway and relief themselves in an inappropriate places, they deserve all the condemnation from others and from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam said, “There is a dire warning Prophet Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who caused public outcry, those who caused general harm on public highway or pathway, then they deserve curse from all the people.”

 

Imam Dr Sheikh Hussein al-Sheikh said , “Let us urge all the believers to train ourselves, to purify our hearts, clean our heart from any rancour or any bad feelings for others. Purity of hearts and clean heart and clean slate and plate from bad feelings to any other people, any other groups or communities is one of the best things praising Allah in the Book of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala as Ibrahim alaihey wa Salam said O Allah, don’t humiliate me on the Day of Judgement because on that Day of Judgement only those who came with pure heart they are the successful.”

 

Full Khutbah of Masjid al-Nabawi

Followings are the full Khutbah delivered by the Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah Al-Munawwarrah, Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-AlShaeikh. (Rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah via Islam Channel UK).

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi, Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al AlSheikh started his Khutbah by praising Allah Subhanahu wa Taala,, “All praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who is the Guardian of all the pious people. I bear witness there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and there is no partner with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala and I also bear witness that Muhammad ibn Abdullah is His servant and Messenger. May Allah send peace and blessings on his followers.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-alSheikh said, “After the praise, O believers, I urge myself and yourselves to observe piety and Taqwa in our life and caution with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in our life; as O people, be afraid of Allah, be cautious with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala in Whose name you ask each other some favours. Some rebellious things which we commit or we do something sometime are to hurt some people and human beings or other environmental distractions.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “Hurting other people feelings and injuries is among the little activities of anyone who causes harm to other people. This fact is of not ever hurting others is so apparent only blind people cannot see it. O believers, please refrain from hurting and teasing anyone else, as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who hurt others they earn little action in their account.”

 

Imam Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al-AlSheikh said, “In the explanation of the Qur’an, our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has explained and he has given a very dire warning to those who commit harm and hurt others – any human beings or animals, specially believers. Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said a believer is the brother of every believer; he never lets his brother down or hurt him.”

 

He continued his Khutbah, “So among the rights of other being in public places is not to cause any  harm or hurt or disturbances to others; even on public road and highways we cannot cause any hurdle for others. We cannot harm any animal; so what about harming other human beings. As Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has warned in a public address that all those people who seem to act and pretend to be Muslim but their heart is not completely Muslim; stop hurting and doing harms to others, your fellow brothers and stop derogating them, stop making them feel ashamed of for certain things because those who do like this, they will be given same treatment sooner or later. Even in our neighbourhoods, we should respect, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, that those who are believers they will never harm any neighbourhood.”

 

Dr. Sheikh Hussein Al Al-Sheikh said, “These days social media is used to derogate individuals and to hurt even communities and religions on the balance those who end up doing wrong to others and hurt others, they will be facing their reckoning. Hurting others is not on individuals one to one only; it also includes hurting others and public benefit and creating public nuisance as it is called. Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who pollute public waters and public highway and relief themselves in an inappropriate places, they deserve all the condemnation from others and from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi mentioned, “There is a dire warning Prophet Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam has said that those who caused public outcry, those who caused general harm on public highway or pathway, then they deserve curse from all the people.”

 

The Imam said, “Let us seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala./ I seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. He is all oft-forgiver.”

 

 

Second Part

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “I praise Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who is the Sustainer of the world and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam is His Messenger. O Allah, send peace and blessings on his family, companions and followers till the Day of judgement.

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi Dr. Sheikh Hussein said, Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi Dr. Sheikh Hussein said “Let us urge all the believers to train ourselves, to purify our hearts, clean our heart from any rancour or any bad feelings for others. Purity of hearts and clean heart and clean slate and plate from bad feelings to any other people, any other groups or communities is one of the best things praising Allah in the Book of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala as Ibrahim alaihey wa Salam said O Allah, don’t humiliate me on the Day of Judgement because on that Day of Judgement only those who came with pure heart they are the successful.”

 

Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi said, “In the sayings of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam there are all sorts of encouragement and glad tidings for those people if purified their hearts and keep their hearts clean of any hurtful feelings for others, any rancour, any enmity towards anyone else as it is reported in the story that Abdiullah ibn Amr ibn al-As heard Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam saying – some Ansars from the people of Jannah, then he followed them for three days and nights and they are asking I don’t see you doing any extra-ordinary things; what is it that Rasulullah Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam praised you. So he said I just have no rancour, no bad feelings for anybody else and I just not envious of anybody whom Allah has favoured in this world. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As just saw him, just praying normal Farz prayer, not special prayers only, whenever he turns his sides while sleeping he will mention the name of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.”

 

The Imam said, “O believers, let us train ourselves to purify our hearts from all the feelings of hate, rancour and envious towards others, towards brothers  and towards humanity and purify ourselves and work hard towards purifying our feelings from other people.”

 

Dua and Supplication by

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi

Imam of the Masjid Al-Nabawi said, “Let us send peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihey wa sallam. O Allah, send peace and blessings on Muhammad and his family, his companions and those who follow till the Day of Judgement. O Allah grant all believers, men and women, and those who are present today or those who have passed away in the past, grant ourselves full Taqwa to ourselves because you are our Mawla and you can only purify us. O Allah, purify our hearts, our inner self from all the bad feelings and all the impurities. O Allah, guide all the believers and grant them peace and tranquillity. O Allah, empower Muslims to do what you like them to do and make us develop our good hearts and good behaviour.”

 

O Allah, give Tawfiq and empower all the Muslim rulers for the betterment of the country and the people. O Allah, save our land of Islam and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his deputies from all the unpleasant things and empower them to do good for the people and the country and give Jazah and give all the security personnel and administrative staff for the hard work they do. O Allah, we ask goodness in this world and Hereafter. O Allah, save us from any torment, any accident, any illness, any pandemic, any viral infections. We seek refuge from you from all the hardships and hard time and enemies being happy against us.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi concluded by making supplication, “O Allah, give us respite and relief from current pandemic from viral infections. O Allah, give us Tawfiq to do the best things. You are the Most Kind and Merciful. We are in need of Your Mercy, Your Bounty. You are Bountiful. O Allah, we are in need of Your Favour and Mercy and rain on us. O Allah, send us rain, useful rain. O Allah, give us water in the form of useful rain  to all our lands and the lands of Muslims; quench our thirst. O Allah, the Sustainer of the Universe, You are Hearing us; You are All-Hearing, All-Responding.”

 

“O Allah, give us useful and best rain and quench all the people and the creatures. O Allah, have mercy on our poor people and all disadvantaged people. O Allah, have mercy on creatures, all the animals, all the wildlife around us in this country and in all the lands of the believers. O Allah, give us pure hearts and take away all the rancour. O Allah, accept all our prayers, all our requests. O Allah, do not despair us, do not make us pessimists. You are All-High and Honourable,”

 

“Let us praise Allah SWT and praise and send peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad.” The Imam Concluded his Khutbah.

 

Acknowledgement:

Courtesy: Islam Channel UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Islamophobia Awareness Month Afzal Khan MP Wrote a Letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson

 Dr. Mozammel Haque

 

 

Afzal Khan MP for Greater Manchester Gorton wrote a letter to the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnsonon thios occasion of Islamophobia Awareness Month.

 

November is the month of Islamophobia Awareness Month. On this month British Muslim community organised meetings, conferences and discussions. This year due to coronavirus, though talk and discussions were held but by zoom or Face Book Live Broadcasting meeting. Rt. Hon. Afzal Khan, M.P. for Manchester Gorton wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on 10^th of November 2020. Following is the copy of the letter.

 

Afzal Khan MP’s Letter to

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

 

The Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London

 

Dear Prime Minister

I write to you to raise the very serious and concerning issue of Islamophobia here in the U.K. , during this Islamophobia Awareness Month.

 

The recent report by Baroness Doreen Lawrence, “An Avoidable Crisis: The disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities,” details how Black, Asian and minority ethnic people have been subject to disgrace racism during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has been reinforced by actions taken by your government and members of your Party.

 

The last-minute lockdown announcement ahead of Eid-ul-Adha left many of my constituents here in Manchester rightfully angry and frustrated. It also contributed to a deeply concerning and false, far-right narrative that British Muslims are ‘spreading corona,. As a result of this narrative, according to hate crime monitoring charity TellMAMA, Muslim communities have suffered a shocking 40% increase in online Islamophobia during the pandemic. The Government’s own figures also once again reveal Muslims have been victims to the highest proportions of all hate crimes committed this year.

 

As Prime Minister it is your duty to protect and safeguard all communities. However, I am disappointed, if not surprised, at the inaction of this Government in tackling the issue of Islamophobia is clearly growing. Fresh criticism has come from your own Islamophobia adviser, Qari Asim, for the way British Muslims have been treated during the pandemic.

 

You committed to launching an independent review of Islamophobia, but you have yet to deliver on this promise. The all-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia has been adopted by all the major parties, including the Scottish Conservatives, apart from the Conservative Party.

 

In light of this, I urge you to take immediate action and fulfil your promise to conduct an independent investigation into Islamophobia within your Party and heed the recommendations set out in the Doreen Lawrence review to help better protect the 2.6 million British Muslims here in the U.K. I also urge you, as leader of the Conservative Party, to follow in the footsteps of  your colleagues in Scotland and adopt the APPG definition of Islamophobia.

 

Will you also meet with myself and key Muslim organisations to discuss how best to tackle Islamophobia going forward?

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Yours sincerely,

Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton.

 

Islamophobia in the British Parliament

Issues and concerns about Islamophobia were raised in both the Houses of the British Parliament. Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Gorton, raised the issue of Islamophobia in the House of Commons on 5^th of October, 2020. He asked the question on spike in Islamophobia in the House of Commons on Monday, the 5^th of October, 2020.

 

Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)

Spike in Islamophobia

Afzal Khan, Labour Member of Parliament for Gorton, through Virtual participation said, “During this pandemic we have seen a sharp spike in Islamophobia, from blaming Muslims for the spread of covid-19 to fuelling online hate. I am sure the Secretary of State will want to join me in commending the community for its patience and hard work in these difficult months. Given that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has previously highlighted the good work of the Muslim Council of Britain in reaching minority groups that the Government are unable or unwilling to reach, can he outline what discussions he has had with the MCB and other Muslim organisations on the safe reopening of mosques?”

 

In reply, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick said, “Like the hon. Gentleman, I want to praise and thank the Muslim communities throughout the country for their forbearance. We have worked closely with them through our places of worship taskforce that the Prime Minister and I set up. I have had the privilege to meet representatives from mosques, including the London Central Mosque on the eve of the Eid celebrations, to thank them once again for their forbearance. We have put in place detailed guidelines to help mosques to reopen safely and will continue to work with Muslim groups in the weeks and months ahead.”

 

Places of Worship Open safely?

Labour MP for Gorton asked again, “What steps his Department has taken to help places of worship open safely during the covid-19 outbreak. 

 

The Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick said, “As Communities Secretary, ensuring places of worship can reopen and remain open has been a priority for me and my Department. Their contribution to our country as places of solace, as well as for significant moments such as weddings and funerals, is clear to us all. Places of worship remain open today for more than six people for communal prayer and services with existing covid-secure requirements continuing to apply.”

 

Earlier, Baroness Manzila Uddin spoke on Islamophobia in the House of Lords on 10 November 2020

 

Baroness Uddin (Non-Affl)

Baroness Manzila Uddin talked about Islamophobiua in the House of Lords on 10 November 2020. Baroness Uddin said, My Lords, I extend my sympathies to the family of Rabbi Sacks, the late Lord Sacks. It was a privilege to work with him on interfaith issues for many years, including in the early years of his journey. I also extend my thoughts and prayers to the families of all those who were so brutally murdered in Paris, Austria and Kabul. We stand together in their sorrow.

 

She also mentioned, “This House will agree that we must not fall prey to the language of hate and divisiveness being normalised in our discourse on terrorism and violent extremism, whoever the source. I am aghast at the hateful incitement and utterances from French leaders in denigrating faiths and communities, which will cause an insurmountable rise in Islamophobia, including Islamophobic attacks on Muslim communities in France and elsewhere.”

 

Baroness Uddin asked, “Will the Minister continue with her commitment to working across faith communities, including women-led organisations, to ensure that their security remains paramount? Does she agree that demonising religion in combating the plague of terrorism is likely to disfranchise societies and, in doing so, demean our best endeavours as a society committed to upholding respect for the values of freedom, liberty, justice and equality?”

 

Facebook Live Meeting

The Muslim Professionals Forum presented a Facebook Live Broadcasting Meeting on “Is Religion Welcome in British Public Life? A Talk by Guest Speaker Professor Tariq Modood, Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy, hosted by Khaled Noor, chair, The Muslim Professionals Forum on 10 October 2020. In the Questions & Answers section, while answering to a question on Islamophobia, Professor Tariq Modood, said. The Conservative Party    has some higher problem attracting Muslims and others to their ranks or to join them.

 

Tariq Modood is a Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-founder of the Journal Ethnicities. His latest book include Secularism and Multiculturalism (2019), Religion and Beliefs in British Public Life

 

Islamophobia

Professor Tariq Modood mentioned, “But it is interesting we have seen now on in the current government as well as in the Theresa May’s government and so on that quite a lot of ethnic immorality individuals, especially now I see people, Pakistani and Indian origin, holding quite high office in the Conservative Party and its Government and so on.

 

“But I think the bigger issue for the Conservative Party is that they are very slow and reluctant to tackle racism and specifically Islamophobia. There is a lot of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party. According to their own report, according to the materials we can find now, that is only be the tip on the iceberg, that only may be visible, most of the rest is invisible.

 

“The organisation, HOPE NOT HATE, just a few days ago published an extensive and a systematic report on Islamophobia in the Conservative Party – How the Conservative Party is failed over a long period of time; failed to deal with Islamophobia in its ranks; something that Baroness Sayeeda Warsi is a big champion of. She has spoken of so many times loudly about it and so on. But yet the movement has been very slow. So even something visual into the high office, nevertheless the tackling of certain kind of racism and Islamophobia; well, it is not tackled, it is not actually admitted be a large scale problem; they say so a few individuals but actually it is not. And this report by HOPE NOT HATE brings us out very well.

 

Professor Modood also said, “If we look at online communication which means people who are Conservatives, we see lots of derogatory remarks about Muslims, insulting remarks, the use of stereotypes and in some ways its come down to Prime Minister himself. We know that he made derogatory remarks about some Muslim women dress, conservative dress, modern dress and when asked to apologise he refused to do so.

 

He continued, “So obviously that sets the example, sets the tone so when we have the leadership election for the Conservative Party, one of the candidates – Sajid Javed – he said I am going to prioritise to investigate Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, then the other candidates also allying including Boris Johnson but he had not done so. He had been very slow to do. He has set up, I have to say, they have set up a body to investigate, not an independent body, as Baroness Warsi has been calling for and as the Muslim Council of Britain has been calling for, now the HOPE NOT HATE is calling for.

 

Talking about investigation Professor Modood mentioned, “They have not set up an independent enquiry but they have set up something within the Party structure and it will be instinctive when comes up. I cannot say, I feel with confidence, that they will get the full measure of the problem. They may continue to do what they have been doing which is to understate the problems as just been a problem to do with a number of individuals rather than a systematic cultural problem within the Conservative Party.”

 

Professor Tariq Modood is a Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy and the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship at the University of Bristol. He is also the co-founder of the Journal Ethnicities. His latest book include Secularism and Multiculturalism (2019), Religion and Beliefs in British Public Life

 

Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi on Knowledge and Learning

Dr Mozammel Haque

 

 Knowledge is the source of elevation as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who believe and those who have knowledge Allah raises their ranks, mentioned Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdurlrahman bin Al-Baijan, Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi on 13^th November 2020 in his Friday Khutbah on knowledge.

 

He said,  “Based on knowledge all the civilizations and societies are built; all progress based on knowledge and knowledge is the criterion for morality and actions and progress and getting ahead in terms of being good.”

 

“Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala asks that would the people who knew and who do not know can they be equated – No; the answer is obvious. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala when He bears witness about Himself and accompanied with the witness of Malaika, Angels, then Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala witnesses with the people of knowledge, Ilm,” mentioned Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi.

 

Sheikh al-Baijan also said, “Those who possesses some knowledge and knowledgeable people, they know and understand about Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. They are the people who really are afraid of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala and understand the Creator. For the rest of humanity, it is their duty to ask the people of knowledge and nobody knows except the knowledgeable people.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “The people of knowledge are the inheritors of the people who are at the bequest of the ways of the Messengers and Prophets from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. For those who seek knowledge and those who acquire knowledge they are very much appraising the text.”

 

Sheikh al-Baijan also said, “Those who walk straight towards learning the knowledge Allah will make them their walking towards Jannah easy and the whole university, even the fish in the sea, pray for those people who seek knowledge because  it is the salvation of the whole world and salvation and sustainers of the world.”

 

Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “Knowledge and learning and disseminating is the only thing which is under the Mercy of Allah, because as it is reported the whole worldly things are away from the Mercy of Allah except the Zikr-Allah mentioning the name of Allah or those who learn or teach others. Angels are in praise for those who devote themselves to learn the knowledge – the knowledge of the Qur’an, the knowledge of the Sunnah and the knowledge of Allah. Those who study Qur’an in a pondering manner Allah descends upon them sakina and peace and encompasses them with His Mercy.”

 

Sheikh Al-Baijan said, “Knowledge is the only torch-bearing towards Jannah and to raise your ranks and get higher and higher in your aspirations and it leads us to the highest position with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. With knowledge we can revive our hearts and gets the higher rank and we learn halal and haram and we learn all the thing which is useful and what is harmful to us.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi mentioned, “Acquiring knowledge is a rewarding rewardable activity. Disseminating and propagating knowledge is the another highest position that those among you are the best people; are those who learn Qur’an and teach Qur’an and Allah encourages that some people will always devote themselves to learn the Qur’an and understand religion and return to give Waz lecture to others.”

 

Sheikh al-Baijan said, “Education and knowledge is the basis of good moral and morality. By learning education and knowledge, we are able to develop rightful perspectives and secure us in a purely knowledgeable environment. And with knowledge we get firm belief and we are saved from the torments and tribulations and the torment of the life Hereafter.”

 

The Imam of the Masjid al-Nabawi said, “Knowledge is a perpetual charity. Learning teaching and reading the Qur’an and all the efforts drive towards learning is to save ourselves from the temptation and torment of the life and our teachers and our educators they should provide the best role model.”

 

“Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said anybody who teaches and guides others towards goodness, they get the rewards of all the people who follow that knowledge and goodness.”

 

Full Khutbah at Masjid al-Nabawi

Followings are the full khutbah Madinah al-Munawwarah delivered at the Masjid al-Nabawi by Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman bin al-Baijan on 13 November 2020, [rendered into English by Mufti Barkatullah at Islam Channel, UK]

 

“Indeed all praise belongs to Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, we praise Him and we seek forgiveness and help from Him, Allah. Those whom Allah guides, they are only guided and those who are let us astray, nobody guide them. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger and His servant. He discharges his duties fully and left humanity at a very clear message and role model. May Allah send peace and blessings upon  Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam.

 

“The best thing which we can study is the Book of Allah and the Utterances of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. Anything which is away from it is innovation and all the innovations are going astray.

 

“O my listeners, be afraid of Allah and observe Taqwa and piety because Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala urges us and He wishes us to be careful and cautious with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala.

 

“Let us contemplate that the best thing and the highest thing in the universities is the knowledge. Knowledge is the source of elevation as Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that those who believe and those who have knowledge Allah raises their ranks. Based on knowledge all the civilizations and societies are built; all progress based on knowledge and knowledge is the criterion for morality and actions and progress and getting ahead in terms of being good.

 

“Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala asks that would the people who knew and who do not know can they be equated – No; the answer is obvious. Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala when He bears witness about Himself and accompanied with the witness of Malaika, Angels, then Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala witneses with the people of knowledge, Ilm.

 

“Those who possesses some knowledge and knowledgeable people, they knew and understand about Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala, They are the people who really are afraid of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala Subhanahu Wa Taala and understand the Creator. For the rest of humanity, it is their duty to ask the people of knowledge and nobody knows except the knowledgeable people.

 

“For the people of knowledge are the inheritors of the people who are at the bequest of the ways of the Messengers and Prophets from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. For those who seek knowledge and those who acquire knowledge they are very much appraising the text. Those who walk straight towards learning the knowledge Allah will make them their walking towards Jannah easy and the whole university, even the fish in the sea, pray for those people who seek knowledge because  it is the salvation of the whole world and salvation and sustainers of the world.

 

“Knowledge and learning and disseminating is the only thing which is under the Mercy of Allah, because as it is reported the whole worldly things are away from the Mercy of Allah except the Zikr-Allah mentioning the name of Allah or those who learn or teach others.

 

“So angels are in praise for those who devote themselves to learn the knowledge – the knowledge of the Qur’an, the knowledge of the Sunnah and the knowledge of Allah. Those who study Qur’an in a pondering manner Allah descends upon them sakina and peace and encompasses them with His Mercy.

 

“Knowledge is the only torch-bearing towards Jannah and to raise your ranks and get higher and higher in your aspirations and it leads us to the highest position with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. With knowledge we can revive our hearts and gets the higher rank and we learn halal and haram and we learn all the thing which is useful and what is harmful to us.

 

“Knowledge can raise you to the rank of role model. As Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala equates His Own witnesses, His Malaika’s Witness and the people of knowledge’s witness that Allah is Alone; there is Tawheed. And the only real people who are afraid of Allah and caution with Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala is the people of knowledge.

 

“Acquiring knowledge is a rewarding rewardable activity. Disseminating and propagating knowledge is the another highest position that those among you are the best people; are those who learn Qur’an and teach Qur’an and Allah encourages that some people will always devote themselves to learn the Qur’an and understand religion and return to give Waz lecture to others.

 

So I seek forgiveness and Tawfiq from Allah – Allah is the Only Forgiver and Giver of Tawfiq.

 

Second Half

“We praise Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala who taught us by the stroke of a pen and He taught us what we did not know and He bestows on us all the bounties of His Mercy.

 

“So the education and knowledge is the basis of good moral and morality. By learning education and knowledge, we are able to develop rightful perspectives and secure us in a purely knowledgeable environment. And with knowledge we get firm belief and we are saved from the torments and tribulations and the torment the life Hereafter.

 

“And the Education institutions are there to depart or part us the knowledge and equip us with highest morality. As Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said everyone of you is a leader and everyone is responsible for whatever they are leading so the husband is the household leaders; wife is the leader on the household and everyone has some domain of responsibility.

 

“It is necessary to follow the educational programme and cooperate with them too enrich our children and youngsters to treat them with the knowledge and understanding and moral conduct and behaviour. Because being teacher and learning is the only rewardable activity which is useful in this world and the Hereafter. And education and knowledge is a continuous charity, as our Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said that after the death the only perpetual charity or knowledge departed left for the deceased to benefit them after they have done.

 

“So knowledge is a perpetual charity. Learning teaching and reading the Qur’an and all the efforts drive towards learning is to save ourselves from the temptation and torment of the life and our teachers and our educators they should provide the best role model; so let us be afraid of Allah  in terms of being role model for our youngsters; for the duty of the teachers and educators is to inculcate the good morals and knowledge and behaviour to the pupils; because they will earn higher rewards from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala; because as Prophet Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam has said anybody who teaches and guides others towards goodness, they get the rewards of all the people who follow that knowledge and goodness.

 

Everyone we get full rewards, nobody is discounted. Educators and teachers are the inheritors of the bequest from the Prophets and Messengers. So being in the company of knowledge, engaging in learning and disseminating information and knowledge is the highest rewardable activity.

 

So let us purify our intentions and only seek the pleasure of Allah. Anything you do here, you will find on the Day of Judgement.

 

So one of the basic principles of life is unity and sticking together and not creating any division and dispute. So Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala says that Allah urges all the Messengers to establish religion and do not disagree with each other on establishing of the religion which is the proper belief and Shari’ah and be with the general body of the Muslims and the leadership. And follow the Book of Allah and Sunnah and the role model of the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam and it is necessary to refrain from the divisions and parting and sectarianism or belonging to deviant groups.

 

Dua and Supplication

O Allah, let us ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala to unite us and give prominence to Islam and Muslims. O Allah, give us peace and tranquillity in our land and give Tawfiq  to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his deputy to work for the betterment of the country and for the betterment of the people living in it, whatever, give Tawfiq  from Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala. O Allah, give us goodness in this world and the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the Hereafter. O Allah, give us Tawfiq on your guided way. O Allah, help us all those security personnel who are working for the safety and security of the society. O Allah, we bear witness that You are the Only One Our Lord and there is no one worthy of worship except you. We all surrender to You and we are in need of Your help.

 

O Allah, help us by sending us useful rain, quenching our thirst. O Allah, send us plenty of rain without any adverse effect. O Allah, give us Your rain of mercy, because we are in need of rain and we are seeking forgiveness from You. O Allah, forgive all our sins and send the rain on us. We seek forgiveness from You. O Allah, send peace and blessings on our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihey wa Sallam, and all the families and all the followers.

 

Acknowledgement

Courtesy: @Islam Channel, U.K.

 

 

 

 

 

Khutbah at Masjid al-Aqsa on Mockery

 Dr. Mozamel Haque

 

Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an in Surat-ul-Hijr - Inna Kafaina – “Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the Mockers.” On 6^th of November, 2020 Friday, the Imam of the Masjid al-Aqsa delivered Jumah Khutbah on mockery. He said, mockery was mentioned in the Qur’an more than 50 times. He also mentioned that Allah has said in the Holy Qur’an in Surat-ul-Hijr - Inna Kafaina – “Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the Mockers.”

 

Allah speaks to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and He says to him, to the nearest meaning, and they have mocked other prophets before you and the one who mocked the prophets they were punished.

 

The imam of the Masjid al-Aqsa mentioned, “The mocking is something that happened to all the prophets and Allah says defending His Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in Surat-ul-Hijr, to the nearest meaning, We will protect you from the ones who mocked you.”

The Imam said, “Mockery was mentioned in the Qur’an more than 50 times by the tongues of believers and of hypocrites upon the prophets and the righteous people and we have also been tested with this mocking of the evil people and we have seen in France and previously before it, in Denmark, drawing cartoons, trying to mock and characterised our beloved Prophet, Our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him We must repeat that these efforts, these efforts do not decrease his value, do not decrease his honour, do not decrease anything of the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as Allah protect him, and He said in the Qur’an, to the nearest meaning, We have protected you, elevated you, your position.”

 

The Imam also reminded the people, “The campaign, the hatred campaigns are still taking place against Islam and taking place against our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.”

 

The Imam spoke about Rahmatullil Alameen, The Mercy of Mankind, “How can they mock our Prophet when Allah, the Lord has said about him, We have only sent you as a Mercy of Mankind and in another verse, Allah said We have sent you to all Mankind to warn them. He, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He is a mercy; he is a gift to all mankind, in and mankind alike.”

 

The Imam of Masjid al-Aqsa narrated the story of Taif, “The people of Taif, they mocked him, they threw rocks at him, they chased him, and they laughed at him until his blessed feet was bleeding. And what did he say – O Allah, guide my people as they do not know. He said, may be, may be, from them people will come that believes in the Oneness of Allah. He is the Prophet of Mercy. And Allah described him and said you are of great character and manners.”

 

The Imam narrated another story of the Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, “What did the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. said when he conquered Makkah to the people that had tortured his people and killed them? He said: Go; you are free. This is what he said to his enemies,  the ones who had tortured him, who have fought against him and who had killed his people. He did not burn a tree; he did not kill them; he did not cause even destruction in their lands, He said: Go; you are free.”

 

“This is the Seerah, the story of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. There are many other stories and stories of his mercy upon Muslims and non-Muslims,” said the Imam and added, “We ask everyone to learn and read about the Seerah; the stories of the Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and understand his footsteps, understand what he did and follow his footsteps.”

 

In the second half of the Khutbah, the Imam spoke about three messages; first on education, second on murder that occurred in the land of Palestine and the third and the final message was regarding the Masjid al-Aqsa.

 

Full Khutbah at Masjid al-Aqsa

Followings are the Jumah Khutbah from the Masjid al-Aqsa on 6th of November 2020 (Translator in English by Osama al-Tamim, @ Islam Channel, UK, Acknowledgement @ Islam Channel, UK)

 

“Friday prayer from Masjid al-Aqsa – Allah the Most High, is the One we prayed, we praised Him plenty, praised Him as He has Guided us; we praised Allah the One, the True Lord; He has no partner; He has no children; He was not born and nothing is like Him or equivalent to Him or similar to Him.

 

“O Allah, by the blessings or the bounties of Surah al-Ikhlas protect us, be with us; we depend upon You and to You we return. You are the One we ask of. Please accept our dua and protect us. You are the One, the True One, and we bear witness that Allah has blessed us with belief and He has sent us our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, the one who has guided us to the Truth or guided us with the Guidance of Allah.

 

“Allah is the One who guided us but the Prophet peace and blessing of Allah be upon him has told us the Guidance and the Truth. He is the Servant of Allah, the Prophet of Allah, we take pride and extreme happiness by remembering him. Our beloved Prophet and he said, the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, I would be the first to knock the door of Jannah on the Day of Judgement. And then the one and the first person whose grave opens up for and resurrection. I am the leader of the children of Adam, of Mankind.

 

“O Allah, we praise You for making us part of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he is the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the first to give safaa. O Allah, accept our salutation and blessings upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as mentioned in the Qur’an , to the nearest meaning, Allah speaks to him, the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and He says to him, to the nearest meaning, they have mocked other prophets before you and the one who mocked the prophets they were punished.

 

“The mocking is something that happened to all the prophets and Allah says defending His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Surat-ul-Hijr, to the nearest meaning, We will protect you from the ones who mocked you.

 

O Muslims,

“O children of the Land of Esra and Miraaj, O grand children of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, mockery was mentioned in the Qur’an more than 50 times. By the tongues of the believers of hypocrites upon the prophets and the righteous people and we have also been tested with this mocking of the evil people and we have seen, France and previously before it, Denmark , drawing cartoons, trying to mock and characterised our beloved Prophet, Our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. We must repeat that these efforts, these efforts do not decrease his value, do not decrease his honour, do not decrease anything of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as Allah protects him, and He said in the Qur’an, to the nearest meaning, We have protected you, elevated you, your position.

 

O brothers and sisters,

“The campaign, the hatred campaigns are still taking place against Islam and taking place against our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. How can they mock our Prophet when Allah, the Lord, has said about him, We have only sent you as a Mercy of Mankind and in another verse, Allah said, We have sent you to all Mankind to warn them. He, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he is a mercy; he is a gift to all mankind, in and mankind alike.

 

“The people of Taif, they mocked him, they threw rocks at him, they chased him, they laughed at him until his blessed feet was bleeding. And what did he say – O Allah, guide my people as they do not know. He said, may be, may be from them people will come that believing in the Oneness of Allah. He is the Prophet of Mercy. And Allah described him and said you are of great characters and manners. What did the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said when he conquered Makkah to the people that had killed his people and tortured them? He said Go you are free. This is what he said to his enemies, the ones who had tortured him, who have fought against him, who had killed his people. He did not burn a tree; he did not kill them; he did not cause even destruction in their lands, He said: Go you are free.

 

“This is the Seerah, the story of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and there are many other stories and other stories of his mercy upon Muslims and non-Muslims. We ask everyone to learn and read about the Seerah, the stories of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and understand his footsteps, understand what he did and follow his footsteps.

 

“O people, you have come to pray, bear with me, send salutation and blessings be upon Muhammad; Allah has sent salutations to him. O Allah, accept our salutation and blessings upon him. O Allah, send salutation and  blessings upon Muhammad; O Allah, send salutation and blessings towards him. O Muslims, O best of man, O best of nations that have come to people; O our beloved Muhammad, Prophet of this Ummah ; you are the Prophet of Allah, you are and you remain a shining star to all of Mankind. Your message, your example, your stories document this. And .we announce O Prophet of Allah that we are free from what this people had said about you and we are free from the ones who did not protect you or stand up with you or announce they are against what have been said about you.

 

“Salutation and  blessings be upon you, O beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. And here from Palestine, from the people of the land of the martyrs, from the Baitul Maqdis, from the land of Suhadah, martyrs and Prophets, peace, salutation and blessings to you; from this holy Mosque. Make dua to Allah, know that He will  accept your dua.

 

“The Imam started to make second part of his Khutbah from the Masjid al-Alqsa, by praising Allah the Most High, testifying that Muhammad is His Prophet and Final Messenger. We send salutation and blessing upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family and his companions just like you have done for Prophet Ibrahim and the family of the Prophet Ibrahim.

 

“O people, you have come to pray. I also want to talk to you in this khutbah three things – first about education. Yes, education, education, and then education and then education. And we speak to the parents to ensure that they set up schools in every home. Parents set up schools or set up their homes as schools for their children.

 

“Education is crucial for the development of our people especially we must utilise this every single year and this academic year. We must protect new generations and ensure they are educated well and we must work together with teachers of all schools to ensure parents and teachers work together.

 

“Second message – it is about the murders that occurred in our land. Murder is an evil crime that destroys the whole community and it is sad that we have seen this happened in our land, in Palestine, in the sacred land, and this shows evil amongst people that we must stop; must stand against. This is bad against the Palestinian people who are fighting and struggling to keep their lands. We must stop this at once. Allah said in the Qur’an in Surah al-Nisa, to the nearest meaning, whoever kills believers on purpose, his punishment is the Hell-fire and he will remain in it and Allah will be angry at him and cursed him and prepared severe punishment for him. So do not look down upon such evil and keep away from it.

 

“O people you have come to pray; O people who are standing steadfast in this region of Palestine fighting for the sake of Allah and their existence.

 

“The Final and third message is regarding Masjid al-Aqsa. The evil and the attack on Masjid al-Aqsa has not stopped and still attacking Masjid al-Aqsa and entering the Holy Mosque was an evil in it. They want their occupation to run and rule our Masjid. They want to be in charge of this Masjid al-Aqsa and everyone must know that Aqsa is not just this building but it is everything in between the walls of Aqsa.and these people they claim to be in charge of peace and to bring people together but what they are doing attacking our sacred locations, our sacred Mosque . .The Mosque is our responsibility and we are in charge of managing and running it and we will remain to do so. As long as Allah Wills, we will never give an active work of Aqsa to the oppressors and we say may Allah protect you, O Aqsa.

 

“You have come to pray. Remember this is the time Allah accept our dua. So make dua to Allah. O Allah, give us security to our land, and protect it; O Allah, protect Masjid al-Aqsa from any evil; protect the weak, We ask you to protect us and give us honour, dignity and victory. O Allah, give us a good deed in this life and a good deed in the Hereafter. O Allah, give victory to Islam and the Muslims. Give honour to Islam and the Muslims; and mercy and blessings to Muslims who are alive and who are deceased.”

 

Acknowledgement

Courtesy: Islam Channel U.K.