“Friday sermons (Khutbah) guide Muslims toward moral character and social responsibility, emphasizing that Islam requires practicing justice, honesty, and kindness in daily life alongside religious rituals (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90).”
Friday sermons, known as Khutbah, have great importance in Islam. They are not just religious speeches but a means of guiding people towards good character, honesty, kindness and social responsibility. Every Friday, Muslims gather in Mosques to listen to the message of Islam. However, the real purpose of a sermon is achieved only when people follow its teachings in their daily lives. The Holy Quran says, “Indeed, Almighty Almighty Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90). This verse teaches us that Islam is not limited to prayers and religious rituals. It also teaches us to be honest, respect others, help the poor and stand against injustice. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “The best of you are those who have the best character” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6035). This Hadith shows that good character is one of the most important parts of Islamic life. In Jammu and Kashmir, where Islam has a strong place in people’s lives, Friday sermons can play an important role in improving society. Today, our society faces many problems, such as drug addiction, corruption, family disputes, domestic violence, disrespect towards parentsand the growing desire for wealth and luxury. Religious scholars and Imams can use the Friday sermon to guide people towards solving these problems. They can advise young people to stay away from drugs, encourage parents to teach good values to their children and remind people to earn money through honest means. They can also explain the importance of simple marriages and discourage unnecessary spending and competition during wedding ceremonies. The Holy Quran says, “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:125). This verse teaches us that religious guidance should be given with kindness, wisdom and patience. Friday sermons should spread love, peace, unity and brotherhood among people instead of creating hatred and division.
“Friday sermons (Khutbah) in Jammu and Kashmir should extend beyond traditional discourse to address contemporary societal issues, such as social media misuse, traffic safety, women’s and children’s rights, and poverty alleviation. To foster meaningful reform, mosque committees and Imams must deliver relevant guidance, while congregants must actively apply these teachings—embracing honesty, kindness, and responsibility—in their daily routines at home, work, and within the community.”
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 10). This Hadith reminds us not to hurt others through our words or actions. In our society, people sometimes engage in backbiting, spreading rumours, using abusive language and making false accusations. Friday sermons should guide people away from such behaviour and encourage mutual respect. Imams should also speak about present-day problems, including the misuse of social media, road accidents, the rights of women and children and the care of poor and needy people. At the same time, people must understand that listening to a sermon is not enough. They must practise its teachings at home, in offices, in markets and in their dealings with others. Mosque committees and religious scholars should make sermons meaningful and related to the problems people face in daily life. Jammu and Kashmir has a rich Islamic tradition, and this tradition can become stronger when religious teachings are put into practice. If every Friday sermon encourages people to become more honest, kind, responsible and helpful, it can bring positive change to society. The real success of a Friday sermon lies not only in the words spoken from the minbar but also in the good actions of those who listen. Therefore, the minbar should remain a source of guidance, peace, unity and moral reform. By reviving the true values of Islam through Friday sermons, we can work towards building a better, more peaceful and more responsible society in Jammu and Kashmir.
