34- The Ending of surah Al-Baqarah

34- The Ending of surah Al-Baqarah

The First Khutbah
All praises are due to Allah who has made the Prophets brothers and sent them to humanity as an example. I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the uniquely one who has no partners in His one-ness. And I testify that our Sayyid, our Prophet, Muhammad is the slave of Allah and His Messenger, may the peace and blessings upon him and upon whomsoever follows them in guidance. 

I advise you slaves of Allah and myself with the Taqwa of Allah, as Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ‌اتَّقُوا ‌اللَّهَ ‌وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ
O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah and believe in His messenger. [Qur'an: 57:28]

O You Who Believe:
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that while the Angel Gabriel was sitting with the Prophet he heard a creaking sound above him, and after raising his head he said, “This is a gate opened in heaven to-day which has never been opened before.” Then when an angel descended through it he said, “This is an angel come down to earth who has never come down before.” He gave a salutation and said, “Rejoice in two lights brought to you which have not been brought to any Prophet before you: The Fatihah of the Book (Surah al-Fatihah) and the concluding verses of Surah al-Baqarah. 

You will never recite a letter from them for which you will not be given (a reward). [Sahih Muslim: 806]

Slaves of Allah: The revealing of these two sets of verses represents good news for us, a generous gift, a clear light, and a precious treasure that Allah gave to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). 

With regards to these concluding verses of Surah al-Baqarah, Allah Himself has testified about His Prophet and the believers, testifying that they followed the Lord of all the Worlds and believed in all of the believers, for He said:
آمَنَ ‌الرَّسُولُ ‌بِمَا ‌أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْ رُسُلِهِ
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." [Qur'an: 2:285]

There is no distinction in them concerning what is in them of the meanings of mercy and goodness and seeking to alleviate difficulties and suffering from creation. These are aims that are consistent with pure religion and to call unto this is a tremendous call, wherein Allah has promised to answer unto the true believers.

As the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said:
الْآيَتَانِ مِنْ آخِرِ سُورَةِ الْبَقَرَةِ؛ مَنْ قَرَأَهُمَا فِي لَيْلَةٍ كَفَتَاهُ
Anyone who recites the two verses at the end of Surah al-Baqarah at night, they would suffice for him. [Sahih Muslim]

So let us be avid in reciting these verses, and making supplication through the meaning embodied in these verses. Let us teach these verses to our sons and daughters, for these verses are a means of protection to whoever recites them, and a means of sufficiency from tribulation. O Allah make us from those who recite your verses, those who contemplate and understand its meanings, and those who believe in all of your messengers. 

I say this and seek forgiveness for myself and for you, so seek His forgiveness for He is the most-forgiving.

The Second Khutbah
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. He has commanded us to believe in all of the Messengers. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet after whom there is no other, and upon his companions and those that follow him. I advise you O slaves of Allah and myself to embody Taqwa of Allah.

O Believers:
From the good of  what these concluding verses of Surah Al-Baqarah establishes and inculcates in us is that Allah has sent prophets and messengers, to calls mankind unto worshipping the Lord of all the worlds. 

As He says:
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah" [Qur'an: 16:36]

So Allah sent the Prophet Nuh and Prophet Ibrahim, and Prophet Musa and Easa and all of the Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all), after which He sealed His message with the sending of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). So all of the Prophets essentially embodied one message, calling all of mankind unto that in which lay their salvation and true contentment, in both this worldly life and the hereafter. In this manner we are tasked with believing in the truthfulness of each of the Prophets and Messengers, as this is a pillar from the pillars of faith. This also strengthens the value of tolerance between us and also builds bridges of cooperation with others, as that is the path that is consistent with the message of the Prophets and the way of wisdom.

And with this, let us send our prayers and blessings upon all of the Prophets and Messengers, and especially on the seal of them, our master, our Prophet, Muhammad. O Allah send Your peace and blessings upon him, and upon his family, his companions, all of them. O Allah make us of those who worship you, those who believe in all of your Prophets, and forgive us, and have mercy upon us, O Lord of all the worlds. Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.