مُجْتَمَعٌ يَتَسَامَى بِالأَخْلَاقِ وَالعَطَاءِ : A society elevated by ethics and generosity

Al Quran is the final Holy Book revealed upon the Last of Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran & Sunnah is the only source of holy guidance as it entails detailed instructions for each and every walk of human life. Here guidance from Quran for the followers of Islam (مُجْتَمَعٌ يَتَسَامَى بِالأَخْلَاقِ وَالعَطَاءِ : A society elevated by ethics and generosity) is discussed wrt the elevation of a society through moral and generous behaviour for better living from Quran and Hadith of Prophet ﷺ. This is an approved Jumma Khutba from the Sultanate of Oman and translated in English.

أَعُوذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

مُجْتَمَعٌ يَتَسَامَى بِالأَخْلَاقِ وَالعَطَاءِ

A society elevated by ethics and generosity.

Praise be to Allah, who has adorned humanity with noble character and benevolence, and who has established distinction among His servants based on the loftiness of values and righteous deeds. We bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, having no partner; He guided His servants toward noble pursuits so that they might tread the paths of advancement and right guidance. We also bear witness that our master and prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him is the servant and messenger of Allah; he cultivated virtue within souls and built a society illuminated by guidance. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment. This is the translation of the recited verses from Surah An Nahl:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌ۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ (٩٠) وَأَوۡفُواْ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَـٰهَدتُّمۡ وَلَا تَنقُضُواْ ٱلۡأَيۡمَـٰنَ بَعۡدَ تَوۡڪِيدِهَا وَقَدۡ جَعَلۡتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ كَفِيلاً‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ (٩١) وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتۡ غَزۡلَهَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنڪَـٰثً۬ا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيۡمَـٰنَكُمۡ دَخَلاَۢ بَيۡنَكُمۡ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرۡبَىٰ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍ‌ۚ إِنَّمَا يَبۡلُوڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ‌ۚ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ (٩٢) وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَڪُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ وَلَـٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهۡدِى مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ وَلَتُسۡـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ

Verily, Allâh enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SAW in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin[] (i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help): and forbids Al-Fahshâ' (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islâmic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. (90) And fulfill the Covenant of Allâh (Bai'a: pledge for Islâm) when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have confirmed them, and indeed you have appointed Allâh your surety. Verily! Allâh knows what you do. (91) And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become strong, by taking your oaths as a means of deception among yourselves, lest a nation should be more numerous than another nation. Allâh only tests you by this [i.e who obeys Allâh and fulfills Allâh's Covenant and who disobeys Allâh and breaks Allâh's Covenant]. And on the Day of Resurrection, He will certainly make clear to you that wherein you used to differ [i.e. a believer confesses and believes in the Oneness of Allâh and in the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad SAW which the disbeliever denies it and that was their difference amongst them in the life of this world][] (92) And had Allâh willed, He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. But you shall certainly be called to account for what you used to do. (93)

Surah An Nahl – 90-93

O servants of ALLAH: Fear ALLAH and Adopt piety and obey ALLAH. To proceed: I advise you—and myself, to fear Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. For it elevates aspirations, purifies the soul, and guides one toward noble endeavors; through it, a person ascends in character, thought, and conduct. The Almighty has says in Surah Al Baqara:

وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ

So be afraid of Allah; and Allah teaches you.

Surah Al Baqara – 282-Part

Know—may Allah have mercy upon you—that Allah the Almighty has honored the human being with intellect, adorned him with faith, and opened for him the doors to ascend the rungs of human perfection. Thus, the message of Islam came to shape a human being who rises to higher levels in thought, character, relationships, and deeds, becoming a force for construction, goodness, and reform. Allah the Almighty says in Surah At Teen:

لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ فِىٓ أَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِيمٍ۬

Verily, We created man in the best stature (mould),

Surah At Tin – 4

It is a mark of honor calling for gratitude, and a station demanding an earnest striving toward the noble character and righteous deeds befitting it.

O Muslims: The foremost means by which societies rise to greatness is the purification of the soul and the elevation of character. A society ascends only in proportion to the values instilled in its people and the prevalence of truthfulness, trustworthiness, and benevolence among them. Thus, the message of Islam came to purify souls, elevate sentiments, and refine conduct, until goodness becomes second nature, virtue becomes a way of life, and uprightness becomes the path one follows. ALLAH says in Surah Al Noor

قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُواْ فُرُوجَهُمۡ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَهُمۡ‌ۗ

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them.

Surah Al Noor – 30

For this reason, the Quran presents sublime examples that embody these concepts in real life—such as the story of Moses (peace be upon him), when one of the two women came walking with modesty and then testified on his behalf, saying, that is in Surah Al Qasas:

إِنَّ خَيۡرَ مَنِ ٱسۡتَـٔۡجَرۡتَ ٱلۡقَوِىُّ ٱلۡأَمِينُ

Verily, the best of men for you to hire is the strong, the trustworthy.

Surah Al Qasas – 26

In this scene, the Qur’an combines modesty, trustworthiness, and strength, which are values that build trust, preserve dignity, and spread affection and mercy in society, thus taking the first steps towards progress and advancement.

O Believers:If moral character elevates a person and regulates their conduct, then awareness elevates their perspective on life and their stance toward it. A society that rises above the mundane is not led by rumors nor swayed by fleeting emotions; rather, it bases its judgments on knowledge, weighs matters with wisdom, and verifies facts before speaking, judging, or relaying information. For this reason, the Qur’an calls for the exercise of the intellect, reflection, and contemplation; the Almighty says in Surah An Nisa:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ ……………. وَقَالَ جَلَّ شَأْنُهُ…….. فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ

Do they not then consider the Qur'ân carefully?........ And He—Glorious is His Majesty—says in Surah Al Hujraat …………. verify it,

Surah An Nisa – 82-Part & Surah Al Hujraat – 6-Part

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also warned against haste in relaying news, stating: "It is sufficient for a person to be considered a liar if he narrates everything he hears." A word can build or destroy; a single word may awaken a nation, while another might incite strife, and a piece of news can alter the course of a decision or the destiny of a human being. True awareness is what preserves a person’s insight amidst the multitude of voices and the crowding of influences. When the mind is illuminated by knowledge and wisdom, and fortified by certainty and insight, a person is more capable of making decisions and closer to being an element of guidance and reform in his society.

So fear Allah—O servants of Allah—and set your aspirations upon noble and lofty goals. Refine your character through truthfulness, trustworthiness, and modesty, and illuminate your minds with knowledge, wisdom, and discernment; for societies rise through the high aspirations of their people and flourish through the elevation of their values, and their foundations are strengthened when purity of character and soundness of intellect come together within them.

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الْإِحْسَانَ وَالْإِتْقَانَ عُنْوَانَ الْفَلَاحِ، وَرَفَعَ بِهِمَا دَرَجَاتِ الْعَامِلِينَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ لِيَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، غَرَسَ فِي أُمَّتِهِ رُوحَ الْبِنَاءِ وَالْعَطَاءِ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ أَهْلِ الْوَفَاءِ.

Praise be to Allah, who made excellence and proficiency the hallmark of success and raised the ranks of the diligent through them. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, having no partner; He created mankind to test which of them is best in deeds. I also bear witness that our master and prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant and messenger; he instilled in his Ummah the spirit of constructive action and generosity. May the blessings of Allah be upon him and upon his family—the people of faithfulness.

To proceed: Fear Allah—O servants of Allah—and know that man was appointed as a vicegerent on this earth solely to build and cultivate it. He was not granted intellect, ability, and talents except to generate enduring benefit, ever-renewing goodness, and a lasting legacy. Thus, construction and development became the believer’s mission, giving—his innate nature, and excellence—his guiding principle. Allah—Glory be to Him—says in Surah Hud:

هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱسۡتَعۡمَرَكُمۡ فِيہَا……………. وَقَالَ جَلَّ شَأْنُهُ…….. لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلاً۬‌ۚ

He brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein,........ And He—Glorious is His Majesty—says in Surah Al Mulk…………. that He may test you which of you is best in deed.

Surah Hood – 61-Part & Surah Al Mulk – 2-Part

A believer does not merely pass through life like a fleeting traveler; rather, he leaves behind a beneficial mark. He builds a home founded on affection, imparts knowledge that serves others, performs his work with integrity and excellence, and dedicates his time and effort to strengthening the edifice of his society. Therefore, demonstrate to Allah your high aspirations, your meticulous work, and your beneficial contributions. Sow goodness in your homes, excel in your endeavors, participate in building your communities, and let your time and efforts serve as building blocks for the nation and the advancement of life. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah loves that when one of you performs a task, he does so with proficiency." When this concept takes root in the soul, giving transforms into a culture, productivity becomes a value, and responsibility evolves into a shared ethic; consequently, endeavors flourish, the nation prospers, and society stands as a testament to its own values through the good and the development it contributes.

So fear Allah, O servants of Allah; let your character be a source of light, your awareness a source of insight, and your deeds a lasting legacy. For societies rise through their values, flourish through their goodness, and secure an enduring legacy through the benefits they leave for the people. Dedicate a share of your contributions to your homelands, and ensure your lives leave a mark that continues to bear fruit long after you are gone.

O servants of ALLAH, remember this command of ALLAH from Surah Az Zumr:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Az Zumr – 53