Growth of the Family

The First Sermon All praise is due to Allah, and I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that our Prophet, Sayyiduna Muhammad is His Messenger. May Allah's peace, blessings, and mercy be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow him in the best of ways till the Last Day. To Continue: I advise you, servants of Allah, and myself, to have taqwa of Allah: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ مُلَاقُوهُ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ “And have taqwa of Allah and know that you will meet Him, and give good tidings to the believers” (Quran 2:223). O Believers: Allah, the Almighty, says: وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ ‌بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً “And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates children and grandchildren” (Quran 16:72). Indeed, having many offspring and the growth of the family and the extension of one’s lineage are among the blessings that our Lord, the Almighty, has bestowed upon many of us. He has commanded us to cherish this and made it part of the tradition of His prophets and messengers when He said: وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ‌وَذُرِّيَّةً “And certainly did We send messengers before you, and We made for them wives and offspring” (Quran 13:38). The prophets and the pious were always keen on having their lineage extended through daughters and sons. Let us reflect upon the story of Zechariah (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he said: رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ ‌ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ “My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication” (Quran 3:38)? Servants of Allah: Your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) encouraged having more children, saying: ‌تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ ‌الْأُمَمَ “Marry loving, fertile women, for I shall outnumber by you the other nations” (Abu Dawud). He prayed for many of his companions to have many children and to have blessings in their offspring. This is a clear indication of the great reward that comes from procreation and the abundant goodness that comes from having many children. So strive, O servants of Allah, to increase your progeny, fulfill the words of your Lord: وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ “And seek what Allah has ordained for you” (Quran 2:187) In other words from the immense purposes of marriage, is to have pious sons and daughters, and to be a cause in continuation of lineage. “O you believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you” (Quran 4:59). I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for myself and for you. The Second Sermon All praise is due to Allah alone, and may prayers and peace be upon the one after whom there is no other Prophet. O Believers: A family's reluctance to have children is one of the impediments to its natural growth and a failure in its central role in the continuous development of its community and service to its homeland. This is an alien habit that was not present in our forefathers and ancestors. Offspring are a source of strength and protection, and an honour and elevation for the homeland. The wise leadership of the nation has been keen to encourage members of society to have children and has facilitated ways for them to increase their offspring. Why is it that some parents do not desire to have children? Are they afraid of their provision? How can that be when our Lord is the One who has guaranteed their provision and said: نَحْنُ ‌نَرْزُقُهُمْ ‌وَإِيَّاكُمْ “We provide for them and for you” (Quran 17:31)? There is no newborn except that their provision comes with them. How many families have been blessed by Allah due to one of their children! Or do they fear the burden of upbringing and its commitments? Do they not know that the reward for good upbringing is an elevated status in Paradise? The Messenger of Allah (peace be and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَتُرْفَعُ ‌دَرَجَتُهُ ‌فِي ‌الْجَنَّةِ ‌فَيَقُولُ: أَنَّى هَذَا؟ فَيُقَالُ: بِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَلَدِكَ لَكَ “A man's rank will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, 'How did I get here?' It will be said, 'By your child's prayers for your forgiveness.” (Hadith). So, all a person has to do is to take the means of upbringing and raising his children, rely on Allah, and pray to Him, and not deprive themselves of the blessing of children and their advantages, their excellence and distinction, and the goodness they bring to themselves and their homeland. O Allah, bless our spouses and our offspring, and send prayers, peace, and blessings upon our master and prophet, Sayyiduna Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions. O Allah, continue to grant the UAE security, stability, progress, and prosperity, and spread mercy and peace across the world. O Allah, grant success to the President of the State, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, his deputies, his brothers, the rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy Crown Prince in what You love and are pleased with. O Allah, have mercy on Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, the founding leaders, Sheikh Maktoum, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, and admit them by Your grace into Your vast gardens, and encompass the martyrs of the homeland with Your mercy and forgiveness. O Allah, have mercy on the Muslim men and women, the living and the dead. Servants of Allah: Remember Allah the Great and Glorious, and He will remember you; thank Him for His blessings and He will increase you. And establish the prayer.