UAE Friday sermon: Respect women, the elderly and the law

Mosque-goers will be reminded to respect women, the elderly and people of all race and religion to be a good Muslim.

Respect is the basis for building a civilized to society, says today’s sermon as it reminds worshippers that they need to respect women, the elderly and traffic laws.

“As a culture, respect in Islam has many tents. It begins with respecting Allah, the Almighty, and glorifying His commandments as well as showing reverence to His Messenger pbuh, following his guidance and taking example of his ethics.”

Islam also places emphasis on respecting laws and regulations.

“This is because laws has been laid down to protect the public's interests, preserve properties and safeguard souls and achievements.”

“One such law that we should abide by is the traffic law. By obeying road rules, we ensure safe driving away from dangerous risks and terrifying others,” continues the sermon.

Prophet Mohammed also stressed the need to respect the elderly. He once said: "He is not from my Umma (i.e., not a true Muslim) who does not respect the elder amongst us, who shows no mercy to our younger ones or does not recognise the right of our scholars."

He also used to demonstrate this in everyday life, when he always asked elders to speak first.

The respect of women has also been stressed in Islam.

“Our religion urged us to take care of women and treat them kindly no matter what kinship relationship associate us with them.”

Therefore, a woman should be respected in all her statuses and tasks. As a mother she should be obeyed and served. As a daughter she should be accommodated and supported.

"Whoever raises two girls then I and he will be in Paradise like these two." And he indicated with his two fingers,” says another hadith by prophet Mohammed (pbuh).

And most importantly, people of all race, nationality and religion, should be respected.

“As evidence on this, it was narrated that once a funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet pbuh and he stood up. When he was told that it was the coffin of a Jew, he pbuh said, "Is it not a living being (soul)?"