GIVING CONSENT TO OPPRESSION IS ALSO OPPRESSION

Date: 03.11.2023

GIVING CONSENT TO OPPRESSION IS ALSO OPPRESSION

Dear Muslims!

Today, we are going through a severe test as individuals, societies, and humanity. The values that make us human, such as rights, law, morality, conscience, and compassion, are being trampled on by the occupying oppressors and their supporters. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been condemned to live under oppression, captivity, and persecution in their own homeland for almost a century. Today, before the eyes of the world, a massive genocide is taking place in Gaza that involves women, children, and the elderly.

Honorable Muslims!

The ruthless criminals perpetrating this unprecedented genocide draw their courage from the silence and disorganization of the ‘ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). However, our sublime religion, Islam, calls us to unity. It invites us to be united and to act together. It calls us to unite not only our prayers, but also our knowledge, strength, and material and spiritual resources. How beautifully our national poet, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, expresses this point:

The enemy cannot enter a country without creating discord,

Even guns cannot silence the hearts that beat together.

O People!

This atrocity is a common problem not only for Muslims, but for all humanity. Standing by, and even supporting the murders that are being committed before the eyes of the world is a shame for all humanity. Because the oppressors, who consider themselves superior to other human beings and see the earth as their private property, are targeting not only the future of Muslims, but of all humanity. Regardless of our country, religion, language, and race, opposing such a massacre is the requirement of being human.Wherever oppression is committed, it is our responsibility as all of humanity to say stop to the oppressor. For giving consent to oppression is also oppression.

Esteemed Brothers and Sisters!

In the verse I have recited at the beginning of the khutbah, Allah the Almighty states as follows: “Beware of a trial that will not only affect the wrongdoers among you. And know that Allah is severe in punishment.”In a hadith, our beloved Prophet (saw) says, “If people see an oppressor and do not take action against him, Allah will soon afflict them with a punishment from Him.”

We understand from the mentioned verse and hadith that if we do not stand against the cruelty of the murderers who take the lives of innocent people, the fire will engulf the whole world, and no one will be safe. If we do not hear the cries of children under bombs, everyone will be hurt. We should not forget that there is always something everyone can do to prevent evil. We must play a deterrent role to prevent oppression and be a hope for the oppressed; we must do whatever is necessary with our hands, tongues, and hearts. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Whoever amongst you sees something abominable, he should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.”

Dear Muslims!

Let each of us, men and women, young and old, fulfill our responsibilities to end all oppression in the world. Let us continue to stand on the side of the truth and against the falsehood just like the ant that went to extinguish the fire of the Prophet Ibrahim (as). We believe that these difficult days will surely come to an end. The oppression of the oppressors will surely end, the oppressed will smile, and the victory will be for the believers. Our beloved nation, which is the hope of the oppressed, will make our world a land of peace again with the consciousness of being ‘ummah.

I would like to conclude my khutbah with the following verse: رَبَّنَٓا اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْراً وَثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِر۪ينَۜ “Our Lord! Shower us with perseverance, make our steps firm, and give us victory over the disbelieving people.”