- Sermons
- /
- Radio Sermons
First sermon:
Adherence to Allah’s Commands is the only way to avoid AIDS
Dear brothers, the topic of our Khutbah today is about AIDS disease; a global menace that threatens the entire world and spreads rapidly and terribly. The only protection from this danger is the adherence to Allah’s Orders and Commands as well as His Straight Path, which He has chosen and approved for mankind.
Allah, the Almighty, says:
"Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)."
Allah’s Creation is ultimately accurate, precise, and perfect. To this effect, Allah the All-Mighty, says:
" The Work of Allah, Who perfected all things, ".
He, All-Wise, also says:
" Then look again: "Can you see any rifts?"
The meaning of corruption:
Allah the Almighty says:
" Who has created the seven heavens one above another, you can see no fault in the creations of the Most Beneficent. Then look again: "Can you see any rifts?"
As for corruption, it can be defined as “the distortion of the perfect original nature of things. ”. Perfection qualities of water, for instance, are that it has no color, taste, or smell. However, when there are some chemical and microbial contaminants in water, it is corrupted. . The same thing applies to the corruption of air, moral values, and relationships among people. In other words, corruption is the distortion of the perfect original nature of things..
Corruption is impossible to exist originally in Allah’s Creation, because the Absolute Perfection belongs to Allah Alone; but it is caused by human beings, into whom desires are put so that they will be exalted in the Sight of Allah in two ways; when they patiently abstain from fulfilling illegal desires, and when they gratefully fulfill their desires in legal way.. Thus, corruption is caused by man, who has been given the freedom of choice which makes his deeds highly valued, and for whom a precise system has been ordained, so that if he works accordingly, Allah will save him from misguidance and distress. Allah the Almighty says:
“ Then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery."
Some causes of corruption
However, when man fails to know the purpose of his creation and, hence, goes astray from his Lord, All-Mighty, he considers fulfilling his illicit desires to be his utmost goal in life, and worships it instead of Allah the Almighty (i.e. he follows his sinful desires and disobeys Allah the Almighty). . Allah the Almighty says:
" Have you (O Muhammad PBUH) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own desire?
Would you then be a Wakil (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher) over him?"
Actually, the one who follows his sinful desires understands freedom as going beyond all bounds of morality as well as transgressing all the limits set by Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty says:
" They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worst than cattle)."
Moreover, he turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to the Divine Method (i.e. to Allah's Orders and Prohibitions) , which Allah revealed to His Messenger, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him. Allah the Almighty says:
" And the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders)."
Also, Allah the Almighty says:
" Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?"
Thus ,the real cause of corruption is when man deviates from the Straight Path of Allah, ignores His Orders and Prohibitions, uses his freedom of choice as an excuse for satisfying his sinful desires, and becomes a slave to his desires instead of being a slave of Allah the Almighty.
The real cause of calamities and disasters that afflict mankind
Inevitably, when one follows his one's own desires without guidance from Allah, he does wrong to himself and makes himself miserable. Also, he does wrong to his society and brings corruption and misery thereto. Furthermore, he does wrong to his environment and contaminates it. In this context, Allah the Almighty says:
" And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah?"
This fact is confirmed by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, who is quoted in the Holy Quran as saying:
"Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me;* "And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.* "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.* "And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);* "And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection),"
In the above- mentioned Noble Ayah, Abraham (PBUH) attributes creation, guidance and provision to his Lord, Allah, Most Gracious; but he (PBUH) does not attribute sickness to Allah but rather to man himself due to his deviation from Allah’s Straight Path and due to neglecting His Orders and Prohibitions.
Allah the Almighty says:
"Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me;* "And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.* "And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.* "And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);* "And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection),"
Moreover, ignoring Divine Guidance is the real cause of all disasters and catastrophes that befall humanity . Allah the All-Mighty, says:
" And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. "
Corruption can never exist in the original creation of things. It is rather something that is caused by man due to his deviation from the Straight Path of Allah and violating His Orders. The following Noble Ayah confirms this fact:
"Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)."
Due to His Infinite Divine Wisdom, Allah, Glory to Him, made the relationship between sins and their consequences one of causation. In other words, each and every sin has the seeds of its own evil effects, which shows the deep wisdom of the Islamic law set by Allah, the Well-Acquainted with all things, which is actually His Instructions. However, the evil effects of sins are only one part of the problem; i.e. not only will the wrong-doer lose the good things of the worldly life but he will also lose those of the Hereafter. Also, not only will he live a life of hardship in this worldly life, but he will also be tortured in the Hereafter, not to mention that the punishment of this worldly life is almost
nothing compared to that of the Hereafter. This is what the following Noble Ayah refers to:
" That Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done,…"
Allah the Al Mighty, said “some of that which they have done”, and He did not say: “all that which they have done”. He, Most Gracious, does all that in order that we may turn back to Him in sincere repentance in time and before it is too late. Allah the Almighty says:
" And verily, We will make them taste of the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islam)."
In another Noble Ayah, Allah the Almighty says:
" But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists)."
Two types of motives behind every human action:
Dear brothers, in another Noble Ayah, Allah the Almighty says:
" But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists)."
" But if they answer you not (i.e. do not believe in your doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, nor follow you), then know that they only follow their own lusts. And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists)."
Definitely, man either follows Allah's Guidance or his own desires. Allah the Almighty also says:
" And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah? Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists)."
Following lusts without Guidance from Allah is the root cause of human misery From the above-mentioned Noble Ayah, it can be understood that whosoever fulfills his own desires according to Allah’s Guidance, there is no blame on him at all. Hence, it is lawful to satisfy one’s sexual desire by
getting married, because in doing so one fulfills his sexual desire according to Allah’s Guidance and Legislation, since marriage, as the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, confirms:
“For it (i.e. marriage) is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity.”
In fact, the collapse of communities and human misery, however, both stem from following one’s desires without guidance from Allah.
Dear brothers, when fulfilling illicit lusts becomes one's ultimate goal he strives to attain, his interests will certainly conflict with those of other fellow humans. Accordingly, he will transgress against fellow humans, their legitimate rights, wealth, and honor, which is the worst form of injustice and wrongdoing.
Allah the Almighty says:
And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah
Then He says:
" Verily! Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, disobedient to Allah, and polytheists)."
Resisting one's impure evil desires is the price of Paradise
Undoubtedly, man stands between two opposite extremes (his desires vs the Straight Path of Allah); whenever he approaches one of them, he goes away from the other. In other words, when he follows his own illicit desires, he distances himself from Allah’s Straight Path; whereas when he follows Allah’s Straight Path, he distances himself from his own illicit desires. Allah the Almighty 
says:
" And follow not your desire for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily! Those who wander astray from the Path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning."
" But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. * Verily, Paradise will be his abode."
Man, the most complicated machine in the universe, is the supreme and most honored creature who has been entrusted with his Lord’s Commandments and Religion. He has the most complicated, accurate, and proficient cells, tissues, organs, and apparatuses that make it impossible for the most skilled physicians and anatomists to thoroughly understand their structure as well as their working mechanism Moreover, man has a soul in which feelings and sentiments clash, desires and values, needs and principles conflict; the thing which makes it impossible for the top psychologists to thoroughly understand its characteristics. Also, man has a mind in which there are principles, postulates, and powers of recognition, analysis, and creativity; the thing which qualified him to be the master of all other creatures.
Allah created man of the best stature:
The skin acts like a shield that covers the entire body:
Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, , has granted humans many lines of defense, the first of which is the skin, which acts like a shield that covers your entire body and protects you from microbes and other harmful things. Thus, it is the body's first line of defense. Furthermore, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has placed a protective system inside every organ to block foreign objects from harming it. For instance, eyelashes, lids, and tears protect your eye( from dust and debris). Thus, this protective system is the second line of defense. 
The third line of defense line is blood and the white blood cells WBC; the leukocytes which are called the soldiers of the body. Actually, the normal white blood cells count is about 25 million cells, ; but it can double as a response to an infection; it might reach even hundreds of millions when fighting against bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders . These huge armies of leukocytes have special signal-code system which consists of some chemical materials; they send out signals alerting other cells in the immune system to respond to the scene..
The way the body’s immune system defends the body is incredibly accurate, coordinated, effective and complex. The white blood cells are very clever, as some scientists say, whether with regards to 
their functioning system, distributing the fighting roles among them, or accomplishing their missions. It is only in a few seconds’ time, after any foreign substance manage to surpass the first and the second line of defense, that these leukocytes rush to attack that foreign substance in an exploratory mission where they take the chemical code of this alien body and take it to the lymph nodes, that could be likened to weapons manufacturing centers ; and here ends the mission of the first type of leukocytes. In the lymph nodes, some other leukocytes, namely the manufacturing immunized leukocytes, decipher the code of this alien body in order to make the necessary anti-plasma. These leukocytes are called “the manufacturing immunized” leukocytes, whose mission ends with making the anti-plasma. Then a third type of leukocytes, the fighter leukocytes, carry this anti-plasma and effective weapons and go to fight the alien body thereby. A battle breaks out between these leukocytes and this attacker enemy until it is defeated and their mission will thus end. Then the swallowing leukocytes come to clean the battle-field from the dead bodies.
In other words, there are different kinds of leukocytes: exploring, manufacturing, fighting, and cleaning. Nevertheless, the diameter of a leukocyte is no more than 15 microns; and in one cubic millimeter there are seven thousand leukocytes.
Allah, the Almighty, says:
" Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),* Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low,"
However, when man deviates from his Lord’s Religion and follows his own sinful desires and lusts, while nothing stops him from sinning, (he neither follows the teachings of Islam, nor sound Fitrah (innate instinct), nor sound reasoning), this defense system is rendered ineffective, and consequently, the slightest infection can be fatal..
Speaking of AIDS, which came as a result of sexual immorality, it is but a confirmation of this fact. Allah the Almighty says:
" Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),*
but whosoever deviates from Allah’s teachings,
"Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low,"
One of the Evidences of the Prophecy of Prophet Muhammad PBUH
Consider the following poem about a young man infected with AIDS:
Reflect on the situation of a person with this fatal disease, the AIDS: he is lean and vulnerable:
Stammering in speech and confused,
Yet his breath is unceasing and incessant.
His eyes are held in a tunnel,
Like a half-burning light of a cottage.
His finger trembles like
The autumn leaves stricken by hail.
He sometimes spits out blood,
And on his handkerchief are pieces of his liver.
Pieces telling him “You shall die tomorrow”,
And if they desire to be more lenient, they say “After tomorrow.”
The violent death is the inevitable end of every one who is profligate and, hence, infected by this disease.
The young man died, so they put him in a grave,
Desolated and deserted.
They wrote on his chamber of death, in blood,
A line which is a warning to him who has wisdom:
“This is someone killed by his caprice and an evil woman
So if you happen to pass by a woman like her, then keep away”.
One of the evidences of the Prophecy of Muhammad (peace be upon him) is what Ibn Majah and Albaihaqi narrated on authority of Ibn Omar (may Allah be pleased with them), that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: 
“O Emigrants! you may be afflicted by five things: I seek refuge with Allah that you live to see any of them: Whenever adultery spreads among people and they show it, unknown diseases will spread among them; whenever they defraud in measures and scales, drought and lack of provisions will befall them; whenever they abstain from paying Zakat (obligatory charity), they will be deprived of rain from the sky; and whenever they break Allah’s Covenant and His Prophet’s covenant, Allah will empower upon them an external enemy, which will take some of what they possess.”
Allah's Commands and Prohibitions guarantee our safety:
Dear brothers, an infectious epidemic has spread around the world. The cause of this disease is a virus that was unknown previously. According to the statistical data of the World Health
Organization, published six months ago, there are 24 million people infected with AIDS in the world. But many experts affirm that the true number of cases might be twice the announced number. What makes this situation more harmful is the inability of the entire world – with all of its institutions, scientific organizations, and financial abilities – to develop a vaccine against this epidemic. In most cases, this virus is only transmitted through illegal sexual activities, drug addiction, and sex tourism . In other words, due to Allah’s Infinite Divine Wisdom, the AIDS is mainly related to individual conduct. A sharp paradox exists concerning this disease, namely that although it is so far incurable, as death is inevitable for those who are infected with it, the way to avoid this disease is very simple; i.e. everyone can be completely protected from it by adherence to Allah’s Religion, which prohibits adultery or illegal sexual relations and ensures decency and chastity. This is because each desire Allah the Almighty has placed inside man has a lawful means through which it can be fulfilled. Undoubtedly, Allah's Commands and Prohibitions cannot be regarded as restrictions on our freedom but rather these Commands guarantee our safety and security. 
production of a vaccine against it, it would be in vain. Moreover, this virus has several kinds of different strains; so whoever isn't affected by one kind may get affected with the other. It seems that, according to Allah's Will, the only way to avoid this disease is by maintaining chastity and purity, not by vaccine or medicine. Allah the Almighty says: " Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)."
Moreover, some scientists say that even if it were possible to develop a vaccine to this virus in the next five years, which is almost impossible, it would cost a lot; the average cost to treat one patient would be more than 10 million SYP .
AIDS is Allah's Punishment for immoral sexual behavior
Dear brothers, according to a precise statistical survey conducted in one of the countries with the highest rate of AIDS due to adultery and illegal sexual relations, one person dies from this virus every ten seconds. This research was broadcast on some international TV channels, confirming
that the spread of this virus follows a geometric series, or even, to be more accurate, it spreads explosively. According to some other statistical studies, by 2000, the number of infections is expected to be 120 million, as announced in a newspaper, published in Damascus. Some think that people who carry this disease may not be infected thereby; but it has been found out that those who carry the virus must necessarily be infected thereby, because it is still in the incubation period and its frightening symptoms will appear soon. Therefore, it is senseless to differentiate between those who carry the disease and those who are infected thereby since it is just a matter of time. 
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:
Let me give you the following example: If the people in a town drink contaminated water, then diseases and epidemics spread among them. Isn't it better to stop people from drinking that
contaminated water, to purify it, to have everything under control to curb the spread of problem, and then to try to remedy the infected persons than to let this contaminated water kill people while we just search for anti-plasma and remedial vaccine, bring physicians, and build hospitals?!It is regrettable that this does not happen all over the world. In other words, people should treat the root cause of that disease, not just its symptoms. As the saying goes: “Pre-warned is pre-armed”, or the Arabic one, “One ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In this context, Allah, Most Gracious, says,
" Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?"
A young man who looks for a job and a wife seems to search for self-sufficiency and satisfaction of his needs, but, in reality, he contributes to the building up of his nation, because a morally clean cohesive family is the first cell of a righteous developed society. On the other hand, a young man who neglects his job, and satisfies his sexual needs illegally with morally corrupt young women, he actually contributes, willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or unknowingly, to the destruction of himself, his family, and his society. Can a nation be ever established without its upright, strong, and healthy young men and women?!
O builders of generation: fortify this building.
Protect the youth and guide them to rightness,
For they are the rich spring from which you get fresh water.
Protect all of the youth so that they illuminate like full moons
Facilitate marriage, and do not demand high dowries.
Do not boast of living a luxurious lifestyle,
For happiness blooms naturally in the hearts.
Beware of the Virus, for it is now a firebrand concealed under the ashes.
If we ignore the truth, one day the fire will start all of a sudden and people will be burned.
Eliminate ignorance by knowledge; awake the people of their sleep.
Adorn knowledge by truthful chastity that is the pillar thereof.
Here comes the Virus to kill victims, visiting all countries,
But it is blind to the chaste youth who refuses corruption.
Chastity could be likened to fresh, pure, and cold water:
It extinguishes the firebrands and irrigates him who seeks lawful things.
It is worth mentioning, however, that out of Allah’s Favor upon us, and due to the adherence of our society to the teachings of His Religion, this fatal disease, which is considered to be the greatest disaster all over the world, is not considered as a problem in our country, where the number of infections with AIDS does not exceed one hundred, or perhaps a bit more; and most
of these infections are of those who come from foreign countries. However, stern measures are taken to prevent the spread of such fatal disease: Allah, Most Merciful, says:
" Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery."
" And whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.
In other words, whosoever follows Allah’s Guidance, his mind will never go astray, his soul will never be miserable, he will never regret anything that has happened in his life, and he will never fear what is to come.
