In today’s Friday Khutbah, the Imam reminded us that Islam is not a new religion. It is the continuation and completion of the same divine message sent through all prophets — from Adam (AS) to Muhammad ﷺ. Islam, meaning submission to the will of Allah, has always been the true way of life for humankind.
The term Sharia is often misunderstood in modern discourse, especially by the media, which portrays it negatively. But in reality, Sharia means “the path” — a divine system of guidance that encompasses every aspect of life. It covers everything from prayer, charity, and purification to kindness and justice. Even a simple act like smiling at your brother with good intentions is part of Sharia.
The Sharia exists to preserve and protect five essential elements of human life, known as the Maqasid al-Shariah — the objectives of Islamic law. These are:
Preservation of Religion (Deen)
Preservation of Life
Preservation of Intellect
Preservation of Family (Lineage)
Preservation of Wealth
Let’s explore each of these in brief.
Allah has given us the Deen to protect our understanding of truth and prevent us from falling into superstition or deception. Islam is not a religion that forces belief — Allah says in the Qur’an:
“There is no compulsion in religion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
Our duty is to invite others to Islam with wisdom and compassion, not force. The true home of humanity is Jannah, where Adam (AS) began, and we strive to return there by living righteously and avoiding the traps of Shaytan.
Shaytan’s greatest goal is to make humans commit shirk — associating partners with Allah. This is the one sin that Allah does not forgive if a person dies upon it. Thus, protecting one’s faith and avoiding disbelief or shirk is the highest priority.
After shirk, the gravest sin in Islam is murder. Yet Muslims are unjustly accused of violence, even though no religion values life as Islam does. The Qur’an says:
“Whoever kills a soul... it is as if he had slain all mankind. And whoever saves one — it is as if he had saved all mankind.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:32)
Islam strictly forbids taking a life unjustly. It also allows exceptions to preserve life — for instance, consuming prohibited food in extreme necessity is temporarily permissible if it means saving one’s life.
The human intellect is one of Allah’s greatest gifts. It allows us to recognise truth and reflect upon creation. The Qur’an repeatedly encourages us to “use our reason”.
When we observe the universe — the precise distance of the sun, the order in the heavens — we see perfection in every design. Such harmony points clearly to a single Creator.
For this reason, Islam prohibits anything that harms the intellect, such as alcohol and drugs. These substances cloud judgment and weaken the ability to distinguish right from wrong.
To sustain humanity and ensure justice for children, Allah has ordained marriage as the lawful means for intimacy and procreation. Family provides structure, love, and responsibility — qualities that protect individuals and society.
When relationships occur outside of marriage, responsibilities are often neglected, and children suffer the consequences. Islam’s family system ensures that every child has rights, love, and a stable upbringing.
Finally, Islam seeks to protect wealth and ensure its fair distribution. This is why interest (riba) and unjust gain are prohibited — they exploit the poor and create inequality. Charity (zakat and sadaqah) purifies wealth, promotes compassion, and strengthens communities.
The Sharia is not a system of punishment or harshness, as often misrepresented. It is a divine framework designed to protect faith, life, intellect, family, and wealth — the very foundations of a balanced, peaceful, and moral society.
May Allah grant us the understanding to live by His divine guidance, preserve our Deen, protect our families, and use our intellects wisely.
Ameen.
Khutbah by Abdul Basit
