The Friday sermon for May 1, 2026 (corresponding to 13 Thu al-Qi'dah 1447 AH) - Sayed Hashim Behbehani Mosque - Sheikh Ali Hassan Ghuloum - Kuwait

 

The 1st sermon:

The Clarity of Thought: Reflecting on Intellect as a Divine Compass for Humanity

The Wisdom of Nahj al-Balagha:
It is recorded in the profound wisdom of Nahj al-Balagha: "Knowledge is a noble inheritance; refinement and etiquette are ever-renewing raiments; and thought is a clear mirror."

The Analogy of the Mirror:
A mirror provides a reflection; the clearer the surface, the more precise the image. Just as one relies on a physical mirror to assess their appearance before stepping out into the world, the intellect serves as the mirror of the soul. To venture out based on mere assumption—believing one’s appearance is beyond reproach—is to risk the harsh reality of public correction. Without self-reflection, one may face the mockery of critics, the blunt warnings of observers, or the pity of those who see a flaw we have failed to notice ourselves.

The Necessity of Critical Inquiry:
To attain clarity and reach the essence of truth, one must engage in deep contemplation. Thought, analysis, and meticulous scrutiny are the true precursors to knowledge. To accept matters at face value—blindly and without question—is to invite the same embarrassment as a disheveled man who refuses to look in a mirror.

The Divine Gift of Intellect:
Reason is a divine endowment—an inherent power that enables the individual to deduce right from wrong and distinguish truth from falsehood. This applies to theoretical and scientific inquiries, daily decision-making, and the strengthening of one’s spiritual bond with the Creator. As the Holy Qur’an states:
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], 'Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.'” (Al-Imran: 190-191).

The Legacy of Contemplation:
Emphasizing the spiritual weight of this practice, Imam al-Sadiq (as) described the devotion of the esteemed companion Abu Dharr (ra), noting: "The greater part of Abu Dharr’s worship was contemplation and drawing lessons from reflection."

 

 The 2nd sermon:

The Quranic Framework for Human Relations: A Thematic Study of Surat an-Nisa

Legislative Guidance for Social Cohesion:
Surat an-Nisa provides comprehensive directives and legislation governing diverse human relationships. These frameworks serve as the bedrock for social justice and ethical conduct, as evidenced by the following models:

1. Fiduciary Duty Toward Orphans: The Surah establishes strict protections for the property of orphans: “And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.” (Verse 2).
2. Marital Relations and Jurisprudence: It addresses the complexities of the marital bond, including dower (mahr), divorce, conflict resolution, inheritance between spouses, and the concept of guardianship (qiwamah): “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.” (Verse 34).
3. Inheritance and Economic Rights: The Surah codifies the relationship between heirs and the deceased: “For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much—an obligatory share.” (Verse 7).
4. Kinship and Prohibited Relations: It defines the boundaries of family ties and consanguinity: “Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, [and] your milk mothers...” (Verses 23-24).
5. Sanctity of Private Property: The Surah affirms the right to individual ownership and the prohibition of financial transgression, establishing the legal basis for the transfer of wealth: “O you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent.” (Verse 29).
6. The Inviolability of Human Life: A profound emphasis is placed on the sanctity of life: “And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (Verse 29)—a command encompassing both the prohibition of suicide and the murder of others. This is further reinforced in Verse 92: “And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake.”
7. The Ethics of Social Interconnectivity: The Surah extends its reach to family members, neighbors, the needy, and friends: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor...” (Verse 36).

Conclusion: The Universal Call to Piety and Oneness:
Through these detailed regulations, we find the profound wisdom behind the Surah’s opening invocation:
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (Surat an-Nisa: 1). This prologue serves as a reminder that all legal and social obligations are rooted in a shared origin and a singular divine accountability.

Executive Summary: Key Observations on Human Dignity in Surat an-Nisa

Observation I: The Dual Restraints of Piety and Shared Humanity
The opening verse of this Surah serves as a profound psychological and ethical mandate. It reminds us that when we engage with others—whether in cooperation, confrontation, or dispute—we must recognize our shared biological and spiritual origin. By tracing all of humanity back to a single soul and a common pair of ancestors, the Quran establishes two internal deterrents against injustice:

• The Pillar of Piety (Taqwa): A conscious state of divine awareness that actively restrains the individual from aggression and corrects the trajectory of their behavior.
• The Pillar of Humanity: A fundamental recognition of kinship that reinforces piety or acts as a secondary safeguard should a person’s spiritual resolve falter.

Observation II: The Restoration of Female Agency and Universal Humanity
A central theme of the Surah is the categorical affirmation that women are fully included in the definition of "Humanity," possessing the same spiritual and social standing as men.

• Historical Context: The significance of this declaration is best understood against the backdrop of the era of revelation. At that time, many civilizations and religious traditions either stripped women of their human status—regarding them as inherently impure—or relegated them to second-class citizens who were owned, inherited, and denied the right to possess property.
• Islam as a Faith of Humanity: This shift reinforces that Islam is fundamentally a "Religion of Humanity." Human dignity is a primary axis around which Islamic teachings, legislation, and ethics revolve. Therefore, the contemporary debate by some who limit the scope of "Humanitarian Work" in favor of "Islamic Work" misses a critical Quranic truth: advocating for humanity is inherently an act of harmony with the Quran.

Final Reflection: The Human-Centric Focus of Divine Law
The Quran does not elevate the human soul to the level of divinity, nor does it encourage rebellion against the Creator. Rather, it places the individual on the correct path of self-discovery. By centering Divine Law around human needs, Islam enables a person to understand their origin, purpose, and final destination. It provides the tools to manage multifaceted human relationships in a way that preserves the rights of the individual without diminishing the rights of the collective.