Friday Khutbah – July 31, 2026 (17 Ṣafar 1448 AH)
Do Not Drive People Away from the Religion
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and turn to Him in repentance. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and Messenger. “O you who believe! Fear Allah and always speak words of truth. He will rectify your deeds for you and forgive your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed attained a great success.” (Qur’an 33:70–71)
Dear brothers and sisters,
One of the greatest objectives of the Islamic Sharīʿah is to bring people closer to Allah, strengthen their desire to worship Him, and spread mercy, compassion, and ease among people. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned against everything that causes people to turn away from the religion. He said:”Among you are those who drive people away. Therefore, whoever leads the prayer should keep it short, for among the congregation are the elderly, the weak, and those who have needs.”
This guidance extends far beyond the prayer itself. It establishes an essential principle for da’wah, teaching, education, and every aspect of dealing with people.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke these words after one of the Companions complained about an imam who prolonged the Fajr prayer until it became difficult for the congregation. The Prophet became visibly upset and said: “O people, among you are those who drive others away.”
This teaches us to consider people’s circumstances and differences in their abilities.
The same lesson is found in the story of Mu’ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). While leading the prayer, he recited a lengthy portion of the Qur’an, causing hardship for one of the worshippers. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) heard about it, he asked: “Do you want to become a cause of hardship for the people?”
He instructed Mu’ādh to shorten his recitation so that it would not burden those praying behind him. This shows that even the most knowledgeable person may sometimes misjudge people’s circumstances, and that accepting correction is a virtue.
The Prophet’s mercy is further demonstrated by the fact that whenever he intended to lengthen the prayer but heard a baby crying, he shortened it out of compassion for the child’s mother. He said: “I begin the prayer intending to prolong it, but when I hear a child crying, I shorten it because I know how distressed the mother becomes.”
Considering people’s circumstances is therefore an essential part of worship itself.
For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed Mu’ādh and Abū Mūsā (may Allah be pleased with them both): “Make things easy and do not make them difficult. Give people glad tidings and do not drive them away.”
A successful caller to Allah brings people closer to their Lord through wisdom, compassion, and gentleness.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would say to Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with him): “Give us comfort through it, O Bilāl.”
Prayer is meant to bring peace to the heart and tranquility to the soul. If acts of worship become a burden because of unnecessary severity or incorrect application, then the problem lies not in Islam but in the way it is presented.
Driving people away is not limited to prolonging the prayer. It also includes unnecessary strictness and extremism. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “This religion is easy.”
He also warned: “Those who go to extremes are ruined.” Allah says: “…He has placed no hardship upon you in the religion.” (Qur’an 22:78) And He says: “Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.” (Qur’an 2:185)
Another form of unnecessary hardship is treating recommended acts as if they were obligatory or disliked matters as if they were forbidden.
A man once came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked about the obligatory duties of Islam. After the Prophet explained them, the man said: “By Allah, I will neither add anything to this nor take anything away from it.”
The Prophet replied: “If he is truthful, he will succeed.”
Voluntary acts of worship are a means of earning additional reward, but people should never be compelled to perform them as though they were obligations.
Likewise, those who have recently embraced Islam or sincerely repented should be guided gradually and with kindness. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu’ādh to Yemen, he instructed him to begin with Tawḥīd, then the prayer, and finally Zakāh.
One of the greatest causes of driving people away from Islam is harshness in da’wah.
Allah says: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.” (Qur’an 16:125) He also says: “…Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you.” (Qur’an 3:159)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.” And he said: “Gentleness beautifies everything.”
Driving people away also takes the form of excessive suspicion, blind attachment to one’s own opinions, constant criticism, and despair over the possibility that sinners may repent.
Allah says: “Avoid much suspicion, for indeed some suspicion is sinful.” (Qur’an 49:12)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says, ‘The people are ruined,’ is himself the one who has ruined them.”
A believer advises with mercy, recognizes the good in others, and hopes for their guidance. Many who were once known for their sins later became among the righteous servants of Allah.
Islam is a religion of mercy, moderation, and balance. The successful imam, teacher, and caller to Allah is the one who brings people closer to Allah, does not burden them with unnecessary demands, does not close the door of repentance before them, and never becomes a reason for turning people away from their Lord.
A kind word can open a heart, and gentleness can accomplish what harshness never will.
Let us always remember the words of our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
“Make things easy and do not make them difficult. Give glad tidings and do not drive people away.” And his warning: “Among you are those who drive others away.”
Let each of us ask ourselves: Am I among those who bring people closer to Allah—or among those who drive them away?
O Allah, make us among those who are gentle and merciful. Never allow us to become a cause for anyone to turn away from Your religion. Make us among those who make matters easy and not difficult, who give glad tidings and never discourage others, and guide Your servants through us to Your straight path.
