Jummah Khutbah Story: “The Lamp of Deen and the Flame of Iman”

Once upon a time, in a quiet village nestled between the hills, there lived an old man named Abdul Hakeem. He was known as a simple man — not wealthy, not famous, but always smiling. His little house was always filled with peace, and his neighbors often came to him for advice. People would say, “There’s something special in his heart — maybe it’s his faith.”

One day, a young man named Yusuf, confused and searching for purpose, came to him.

He said, “Uncle, I don’t understand. What is Dīn? What is Īmān? I read books, but I feel nothing. I pray, but I still feel empty.”

Abdul Hakeem looked at him gently and said, “Let me tell you a story, my son. Not from a book, but from life.”

He continued…

“Imagine your heart is a room. Dīn is like the lamp — it gives you structure. It shows you where the furniture is. It tells you where to walk and where to avoid. It gives you rules, light, and clarity.

But without Iman, without faith, the lamp is just a decoration. Iman is the flame inside the lamp. It is what makes the lamp glow. It gives you warmth, passion, and connection to Allah.”

Yusuf asked, “So, can one exist without the other?”

The old man smiled, “Some people have the lamp but no flame. They follow rules, but their hearts are empty. Some have a small flame in a broken lamp — sincere love for Allah, but no guidance. The best is to have both: a strong lamp and a bright flame.”

Then he told him:

“The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said that Iman has over seventy branches, and the highest is saying La ilaha illa Allah, and the lowest is removing harm from the path. Even a simple act — like smiling, being honest, or avoiding sin — is a part of faith. But that faith must grow. It must be protected.”

He continued:

“Do you remember the story of the companions in Makkah? When they were tortured, boycotted, and beaten, did they stop believing? No. Because their Iman wasn’t tied to comfort — it was tied to truth.”

Yusuf listened as the sky turned grey outside. The old man lit an oil lamp beside them and said, “You see this flame? If I open the window and the wind comes, it might go out. That is how the world tests your Iman — through trials, doubts, sins.”

He paused and looked at Yusuf. “But if you keep adding oil — by reading Qur’an, making du’a, praying sincerely — the flame stays alive, even in storms.”

By the end of their talk, Yusuf’s eyes filled with tears. “I understand now. I’ve been focusing on the shell, not the soul. I’ve been polishing the lamp, but not feeding the flame.”

The old man nodded. “It’s never too late. Go. Reignite your heart with the remembrance of Allah. That is the path of Dīn and the light of Iman.”

My dear brothers and sisters, just like Yusuf, many of us go through life following rituals without feeling them. But Islam is not just a religion of rules — it is a way of life powered by love, trust, and a connection with our Creator.

Let us rekindle our flame of faith. Let our prayers be from the heart. Let our actions reflect belief. And let our Deen not be a burden, but a path to Jannah, insha’Allah.

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – their Lord will guide them because of their faith…”
(Surah Yunus 10:9)

“O you who believe! Believe in Allah and His Messenger…”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:136)

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