خطبة الجمعة ٢٠ ربيع الأول ١٤٤٧هـ من منبر المسجد الحرام لفضيلة الشيخ د. ماهر المعيقلي -حفظه الله-.

Summary

The Friday sermon centers on truthfulness as a defining quality of faith—in one’s intentions, words, actions, and conduct—and warns against lying, especially spreading unverified claims.

Kaʿb ibn Mālik’s example

The preacher recounts the account of Kaʿb ibn Mālik, who stayed behind from the expedition to Tabuk. When the Prophet ﷺ returned, Kaʿb considered making an excuse but chose to tell the truth, despite expecting criticism. The Prophet acknowledged his honesty and left his case to God. Kaʿb later received news that God had accepted his repentance.

The lesson is that truth may be difficult in the moment, but it can lead to forgiveness, peace of mind, and lasting relief. Kaʿb regarded his honesty as one of the greatest blessings he had received after Islam.

Truthfulness as a believer’s constant quality

Truthfulness should be firmly rooted in a Muslim’s character, not treated as an occasional choice. The sermon describes it as a source of inner calm and integrity, and cites the prophetic teaching that truthfulness leads to righteousness and ultimately to Paradise. Those who obey God and His Messenger are promised the company of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous.

The sermon also presents truthfulness as a quality of God’s messengers, mentioning Abraham and Ishmael, and describes the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as truthful and trustworthy.

Avoid lying, even when it seems minor

The sermon warns against treating small lies as harmless. It recounts the report of ʿAbdullah ibn ʿĀmir as a child: when his mother called him by saying she would give him something, the Prophet ﷺ cautioned that making the promise without intending to fulfill it would count as a lie.

The preacher also warns against lying for amusement. The Prophet ﷺ joked with others but did not speak falsely, and the sermon cites a warning against lying merely to make people laugh. Repeated lying, it says, can become a person’s settled character and lead toward wrongdoing and punishment.

Verify information and do not spread rumors

The sermon emphasizes the harm caused by modern channels of publication, where rumors and fabricated claims can spread quickly and damage individuals, communities, and countries. The preacher urges listeners not to become instruments for harming their own society or homeland.

Practical guidance conveyed in the sermon includes:

• Make truthfulness a guiding principle in private and public life.
• Think carefully before speaking; do not make claims without sound knowledge.
• Verify news before repeating it. The sermon cites the teaching that it is enough to make a person a liar to report everything they hear.
• Do not invent or circulate rumors, including online.
• Avoid lying even in jokes, casual promises, or matters that seem insignificant.
• Be especially careful never to attribute false statements to God or the Prophet ﷺ.

The sermon identifies lying about God, His Messenger, or the Hereafter as especially grave, and cites the warning against intentionally fabricating statements about the Prophet ﷺ.

Closing prayers

The sermon concludes with blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and prayers for Islam and Muslims, the security and well-being of the country, its leaders and security forces, and Muslims in general. It also includes prayers for relief and support for Palestinians, protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque, help for the afflicted, healing for the sick, provision for the hungry, and forgiveness for Muslims.

Speakers and sources featured

• Speaker: Sheikh Dr. Maher Al-Muaiqly, delivering the Friday sermon.
• Religious sources cited: The Qur’an; hadith reports attributed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawud, and Musnad Ahmad.
• Historical figure discussed: Kaʿb ibn Mālik, in the account of his truthful response and accepted repentance.