Gardens of Delightful Beauty

First Khutba All praise is due to Allah, who has adorned the earth with meadows and gardens, and caused every type of crop and fruit to grow within it. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. And we bear witness that our prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best of creation. May Allah's peace, blessings, and mercy be upon him, his family, and companions, as well as those who follow them with righteousness until the Day of Judgment. To proceed: I advise you, servants of Allah, and myself, to have taqwa of Allah, He, the Exalted, has said: O Believers: Among the great signs of Allah in His creation and His magnificent favors to His servants, deserving of gratitude, is that He subdued the earth for them. He prepared it, spread it out, and endowed it with the components necessary for its productivity, including sunlight, air, soil, and water. He facilitated the means to cultivate its resources and extract its crops and fruits. Allah Almighty says: Indeed, it is the trees and plants that our Lord has emphasized in many verses of the Qur’an. He mentions more than thirty types of them in His Book and even named a chapter after one of these trees, as He says: He enumerated the stages of planting crops and their growth so that we may understand their importance and appreciate their great benefits. Allah Almighty says: These natural blessings, O servants of Allah, provide your sustenance, nourishment, clothing, medicine, shade, and warmth. Through them, Allah stabilizes the soil, purifies the air, and brings joy to your hearts. Have you not reflected on the words of your Lord: And have you not pondered His majestic statement: These verses remind us of the intricate balance and aesthetic beauty Allah has created in the world. They call us to reflect on His magnificent artistry and the blessings He bestows upon humanity through the provisions of nature, urging gratitude and deep contemplation of His creation. O servants of Allah, our righteous religion has placed great importance on agriculture. This is highlighted in the Qur'an through the example of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him), who encouraged agricultural practices during his time of leadership. When interpreting the king's dream, he advised: Similarly, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺemphasized the significance of agriculture in his teachings and actions. He personally engaged in farming and encouraged others to utilize their land for cultivation. He said: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺplaced great emphasis on the cultivation and care of land. He would inquire about the lands of his companions, offering guidance on how to manage them effectively. He advised: An inspiring example of his involvement is seen in the story of Salman al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him). When Salman sought to plant 300 date palms, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called upon the companions for assistance, saying: “Help your brother.” The companions each brought what they could, and the Prophet instructed Salman to dig the holes. Once prepared, the Prophet personally placed the saplings in the ground with his own blessed hands. Salman narrated that, by Allah's will, not a single tree failed to grow. This remarkable example showcases the Prophet’s encouragement of agriculture, mutual support, and environmental care. It provides an enduring model for us to emulate—planting and nurturing trees, not only for our benefit but also for the prosperity of our communities and environment. Be mindful and cautious about neglecting plant life, uprooting it, or destroying it, for such actions constitute environmental aggression, which Allah Almighty has forbidden. He says: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also warned against such practices. In an instruction to one of his companions, He said: O Allah, guide us to care for our environment, to plant gardens in our homes and communities, and to obey Your commands as You have instructed: I say these words and seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you. The Second Khutba All praise is due to Allah, the Most High, who brings forth for us from the earth “pairs of plants, each diverse” (Surah Taha: 53). Blessings and peace be upon the Prophet of guidance ﷺ, and upon his family, companions, and those who follow his path. O believers, among the signs of Allah’s wisdom in creation is that He has prepared different types of soil and climates for plant growth, resulting in diverse produce and abundant fruits. This variety fulfills the needs of humans and other living beings. Allah Almighty says: So let us take advantage of these moderate climates and gentle breezes by planting in our lands, the gardens of our homes, our schools, institutions, and mosque courtyards. Let us collectively contribute to the pioneering national program launched by our wise leadership under the title “Plant the Emirates.” Let us also participate in the initiative for endowing trees in mosque courtyards, launched by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments under the slogan: “Let’s Plant Our Mosques.” This effort is undertaken with the hope of earning rewards from our Lord, as such acts are forms of obedience, nearness to Allah, and charitable deeds. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaid: This charity holds great merit, with enduring rewards, qualifying as ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) for the one who performs it. A good deed like planting a tree elevates its doer in rank, increases their rewards, and signifies a person's love for their homeland and loyalty to their country. This hadith underscores the immense value of contributing to nature and emphasizes the lasting benefits of such acts, both spiritually and socially. Sheikh Zayed, may Allah bless his soul, emphasized this in his words: I wish to provide every citizen with their need for pure, fresh water, and fertile, prosperous land that yields goodness and blessings, so that the love for the land of our forefathers may deepen in the hearts of our nation’s children. Let us make our lands oases from which the fragrance of psychological comfort and heartfelt tranquility emanates, with which we soften the atmosphere and reduce dust and noise, so that our country becomes a green paradise and a lush garden, “bringing forth its fruit at all times by permission of its Lord”. May peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet Muhammad ﷺand upon his family, companions, and followers. May Allah be pleased with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, and with all the noble companions. O Allah, make us believers in You, worshipers of You, and return to You. Help us care for the cultivation of our lands, be dutiful to our parents, and have mercy upon them as they raised us when we were young, O Most Merciful of the merciful. Our Lord, grant us what we have asked for from goodness, and fulfill what our prayers have fallen short of. Indeed, You are the Bestower. O Allah, grant the UAE state continued stability, prosperity, and growth. O Allah, bestow Your protection upon us, bless our livelihoods, our spouses, and our children. O Allah, guide the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, his deputies, and his brothers, the rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy Crown Prince to do what pleases You. O Allah, have mercy on Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, and the founding leaders, and admit them to the vastness of Your gardens by Your grace. Shower Your mercy and forgiveness upon the martyrs of the nation. O Allah, have mercy on the Muslim men and women, the living and the deceased. O Allah, grant us rain and do not make us of those who despair. O Allah, aid us, O Allah, aid us, O Allah, aid us. Our Lord, grant us goodness in this world and the hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the fire. Servants of Allah, remember the Almighty, the Majestic, and He will remember you. Give thanks to Him for His blessings, and He will increase you. And establish the prayer.