Bismillah
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
"And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect." (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
Dear brothers and sisters,
Sometimes life becomes overwhelming. Doors close, plans fail, and we see no way forward. Yet Allah reminds us that when we cannot find a way out, He can create one from places we never imagined.
Today's khutbah is about what to do when hardship surrounds us and hope seems distant. The Qur'an teaches us through the examples of the Prophets that the answer is to turn to Allah with sincere du'a.
1. The Du'a of Prophet Yunus (عليه السلام)
When Yunus (AS) found himself in the darkness of the sea and the belly of the fish, he called upon Allah:
لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
"There is no god but You. Glory be to You. Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers."
Allah responded:
فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
"So We responded to him and saved him from distress. And thus do We save the believers."
Lessons:
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Turn to Allah when you feel trapped and overwhelmed.
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Combine tawheed, glorification of Allah, and repentance.
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Take responsibility for your mistakes and never lose hope in Allah's mercy.
2. The Du'a of Prophet Ayyub (عليه السلام)
After years of illness, loss, and hardship, Ayyub (AS) called upon Allah:
رَبِّ إِنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
"My Lord, harm has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful."
Allah says:
فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ
"So We responded to him and removed the adversity that afflicted him."
Lessons:
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Turn to Allah during sickness, pain, and hardship.
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Patience does not mean the absence of pain; it means trusting Allah through pain.
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Do not complain about Allah; complain to Allah.
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Never lose hope in His mercy.
3. The Du'a of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام)
After fleeing Egypt, alone, exhausted, and uncertain of his future, Musa (AS) made this simple du'a:
رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
"My Lord, indeed I am in need of whatever good You send down to me."
Soon after, Allah provided him with safety, shelter, provision, a family, and eventually prophethood.
Lessons:
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Admit your need before Allah.
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Trust that Allah's help may come in unexpected ways.
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Humility and dependence upon Allah are keys to relief.
Key Takeaways
These du'as are short, but they open the doors of mercy.
They teach us:
When hardship comes:
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Do not only complain to people; turn to Allah.
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Do not despair, for Allah never abandons the sincere believer.
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Keep these du'as on your tongue and in your heart.
أقول قولي هذا، وأستغفر الله لي ولكم فاستغفروه، إنه هو الغفور الرحيم.
Second Khutbah
Bismillah
الحمد لله وحده، والصلاة والسلام على من لا نبي بعده، وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين.
عباد الله،
Never assume that every hardship is a sign of Allah's anger. Sometimes hardship is a sign of His love. Through trials, Allah brings us back to Him, increases our du'a, and purifies us from sins.
Often, when we are tested, we wake up for Tahajjud, cry to Allah, and become more consistent in worship. In times of comfort, we may become heedless. Therefore, every difficulty carries wisdom for the believer.
The Prophet ﷺ taught us this beautiful du'a for anxiety, grief, and distress:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ العَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الجُبْنِ وَالبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ
"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from being overcome by debt and overpowered by people."
May Allah grant us patience in hardship, gratitude in ease, and hearts that constantly turn back to Him.
اللهم اجعل لنا من كل هم فرجًا، ومن كل ضيق مخرجًا، وارزقنا من حيث لا نحتسب.
Ameen.
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