Sheikh Dr. Osama Abdullah Khayyat, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah advised Muslims to be always mindful of Allah Almighty and to fear Him, SPA reported Friday. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Sheikh Khayyat spoke about the responsibilities of the individual - man and woman – in the Muslim society. He said the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah mention the responsibilities of man and woman which they must discharge as required. A man's responsibility in his home is to do everything that will keep his family members on the right path whether these be worldly or religious matters. It is through this that the Muslim becomes successful and happy in this life and wins abode in Paradise and is saved from the Hellfire. It is required of a man to correct the attitudes and outlook of his family members as well as to teach them good manners. He should enjoin virtue and prevent vice in his family and guide his children if they stray from the right path. Among the most important in this regard is to urge them to perform their prayers on time not forgetting to do it himself. Also, he should provide them with the means to help them keep to the right path and prevent them from diverting from it. Allah said in the Holy Qur'an: “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” (Qur'an, 66:6) Sheikh Khayyat asked: “How can a man live in peace when he reads this warning about the Hellfire? How can he give free rein to his children and allow them to do whatever they like without deterring them? How can he allow them to accompany anyone they want without inquiring about that person's character? How can he allow his children to spend long hours in closed rooms when he doesn't know what websites they are surfing or who they are talking to in the chat rooms? Does he know the subject of their conversations or what pictures they are receiving or sending on their mobiles by Bluetooth technology? Does he yield to his children's pestering and reckless demands under the pretext of personal freedom despite his/her acting irresponsibily away from any wise and balanced supervision.” Sheikh Khayyat said this is not the way of those who have a sense of responsibility before Allah. He said such people have been negligent in shouldering their responsibilities by relenting to their children's demands and Allah will hold them accountable for their deeds. Allah is never unjust to anyone, he observed. Sheikh Khayyat said that as a man is a member of his society, he must contribute toward building the society by educating his children and bringing them up properly so that they contribute in building the society and do not become agents of its distruction. As to the woman's responsibilities as required by Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him), Sheikh Khayyat said a woman is the caretaker in her husband's house. She takes care of the home, her husband and children. Topmost among her responsibilities is to educate and bring up her children properly taking care what they say and do. She must not try to provide them with cover-up if they follow their whims and go the wrong way. She must protect them from vices and sins and help them restrain their desires. She must inform her husband or their guardian of wrongdoing of the children so that matters can be corrected by every means permitted by the Islamic Shariah even if the guardians have to be tough with the children, as the objective of firmness is to return them to the right path. He said all these efforts will bear fruit and the children will pray and supplicate for their parents when they come of age. Sheikh Khayyat said if the parents have done their best for the education and upbringing of their children and were patient with them, but the children strayed to the wrong path, they will not be blamed for their children's misdeeds. Sheikh Khayyat gave the example of Prophet Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him) when he ordered his son to board the ship to save his life but the son disobeyed and was among those who drowned. Sheikh Khayyat advised Muslims to shoulder their responsibilities and warned them against being negligent towards their families and children as they are a trust and they will be answerable before Allah if they do not fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Meanwhile, Sheikh Salah Al-Bedair, Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet's Mosque advised Muslims to be conscious of Allah Almighty in word and deed and fear Him. In his Friday sermon at the Prophet's Mosque in Madina, he said a human being cannot own everything he needs nor can he be a jack of all trades. He may need to rent a car or a house or he may need the services of persons in some trades like a plumber, an electrician and the like. Therefore, renting and trades and services are among the means of earning one's bread. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said every prophet sent by Allah had worked as a shepherd. Ali Bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) used to pull bucketfuls of water from a well and in return he used to get some dates. He must complete his work as required before he asks for his wage. A worker must not enter into an agreement to carry out some work unless he is skilful in that trade. If he is ignorant about the trade, then he must not cheat people by claiming to be proficient in it. Sheikh Al-Bedair gave the example of many people who claimed to be doctors, but caused painful tragedies and financial losses to their patients. Sheikh Al-Bedair said once the worker has completed his job, he must be given his wage or salary, as it is impermissible (Haraam) to delay or procrastinate a worker's pay. The Islamic Shariah has permitted renting property and houses and the landlord must allow the tenant to benefit from the premises throughout the contract period. It is impermissible (Haraam) for a landlord to evict a tenant before the end of the contract period. On the other hand, the tenant must not damage the property or house and he must use it for the purpose mentioned in the contract, as the property is a trust with him. Sheikh Al-Bedair said among the tenants are poor and needy people. He called upon landlords not to hike rents of houses. On the contrary, they should be kind and compassionate. They can notify the tenant of his obligation but they should give him a grace period and forgive him. Whoever is patient with an insolvent person or debtor or waives part of his debt will be under Allah's shade when he meets Him. Allah has promised such a person blessings (barakah) in his sustenance (Rizq) and life span (‘Umr). Allah helps a servant so long as he helps his brother, Sheikh Al
