This week’s nationwide Friday sermon, prepared by the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and delivered in mosques across Türkiye, focused on the theme “The Guidance of the Noble Sunnah in Life”, highlighting the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah as the essential moral and spiritual compass for every Muslim.

The Diyanet’s nationwide sermon emphasized that the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah together form the foundation of a Muslim’s moral compass, guiding individuals, families, and societies toward righteousness and justice. The Qur’an, it reminded, is not merely a text to be recited but a divine message meant to shape human conduct and consciousness, while the Sunnah — the words, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — is the practical embodiment of that divine message.

“The Qur’an is our map, and the Sunnah is our path,” the sermon declared. “Whoever follows them together will never lose direction, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter.”

In his khutbah, the imam reminded that following the Sunnah is not limited to ritual worship, but extends to every area of life — from family relations to professional ethics. Living by the Sunnah means being honest in trade, compassionate in speech, gentle in dealings, and steadfast in justice. It means protecting the rights of others, respecting elders, showing mercy to the young, and being mindful of the responsibilities of brotherhood and unity within the ummah.

The sermon quoted the Prophet’s hadith: “Whoever revives my Sunnah has loved me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.”

Through this hadith, the Diyanet reminded that the love of the Prophet is not a mere emotional attachment but a way of life rooted in obedience, humility, and service to humanity. To love the Prophet (peace be upon him) is to reflect his mercy, patience, generosity, and justice in one’s own life.

The khutbah also touched upon the moral and social decay in today’s globalized world — an era where materialism, selfishness, and moral confusion dominate. The Diyanet warned that many people, despite technological advancement, have lost their spiritual direction.

“Today’s humanity suffers from crises of meaning, morality, and mercy. The guidance of the Messenger of Allah offers timeless solutions to these problems,” the sermon noted.

It highlighted that the Prophet’s Sunnah serves as a light amid modern darkness, teaching humility in times of arrogance, compassion in times of cruelty, and faith in times of uncertainty. His example remains a universal model — not only for Muslims but for all people seeking peace and justice.

The Qur’anic verse was recited to reinforce this message: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.” (Al-Ahzab, 33:21)

The Friday sermon also stressed that the strength of society begins within the family. Living by the Sunnah at home — showing kindness between spouses, treating children with affection, and maintaining respect among relatives — ensures stability and spiritual warmth within the household.

“A family that builds its life upon the Sunnah becomes a fortress of faith, love, and mercy,” the sermon said.

It urged Muslims to observe halal and haram in their earnings, to be fair in business transactions, and to maintain honesty as a sacred trust. Social justice, the khutbah emphasized, begins with individual integrity — a principle deeply rooted in the Prophet’s example.

One of the khutbah’s strongest appeals was directed toward parents and educators. The Diyanet stressed the urgent need to nurture the love of the Prophet and awareness of the Sunnah in children and young people, especially amid the influence of digital distractions and moral confusion.

“Let us plant in our children’s hearts the seeds of love for the Messenger of Allah. Let us teach them his gentleness, his honesty, and his devotion to Allah,” it said.

The sermon explained that true education is not only about knowledge but also about instilling virtue, and that moral education must be grounded in the Prophet’s life and teachings.

In closing, the imams across Türkiye echoed the Prophet Muhammad’s final words to his ummah — a timeless covenant that continues to guide Muslims through every generation: “I leave behind two things for you, and you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.”

These words, the Diyanet emphasized, summarize the eternal roadmap of faith and salvation. They call every Muslim to hold tightly to divine guidance, to practice justice, to live humbly, and to embody the mercy that defines Islam.

From Istanbul to Diyarbakır, from Ankara to Erzurum, the message was the same in every mosque: the path to Allah’s love and mercy passes through the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Worshippers left the mosques reminded that the Sunnah is not a relic of the past but a living way of life that brings meaning, peace, and strength to every believer.

As Türkiye’s mosques echoed with the call to prayer and reflection, the Diyanet’s weekly sermon once again united millions around a central truth — that reviving the Prophet’s Sunnah is the key to reviving the soul of the ummah, restoring both individual faith and collective harmony in a troubled world. (ILKHA)