In this week’s Friday sermon delivered across Türkiye's mosques, the Presidency of Religious Affairs underscored the transformative role of knowledge, education, and morality in shaping individuals and societies.

The sermon, titled “Knowledge Leads to Dignity, Violence to Misery,” drew from Islamic teachings to highlight the importance of learning, teaching, and living by the values of Islam.

Citing verses from the Qur’an and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the sermon reminded worshippers of the elevated status of knowledge in Islam. The congregation was reminded of the divine command to read and learn, revealed in the very first verse of the Qur’an: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.” This, the sermon emphasized, establishes education as a sacred duty for all Muslims, men and women alike.

The message also stressed that knowledge should serve humanity, fostering justice, goodness, and social development. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best people are those who are most beneficial to others.”

Acknowledging the pivotal role of teachers, the sermon described them as inheritors of the prophetic mission. Teachers, it was stated, not only shape individual character but also influence the moral and spiritual trajectory of nations. They are tasked with nurturing future generations to embody faith, good morals, and respect while contributing positively to their families, communities, and country.

Parents were encouraged to view teachers as partners in raising virtuous children, while teachers were urged to instill national and spiritual values in their students. The sermon envisioned a society where teachers treat their students as their own children and students respect their teachers as parents—a harmony that builds stronger families and peaceful communities.

The sermon also addressed the alarming rise in violence worldwide, attributing it to a departure from the mercy-filled teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. The congregation was reminded that Islam unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, labeling it a grave sin and an infringement upon the rights of others. The sermon stated: “Violence in any form is unacceptable, regardless of who perpetrates it or who the victim is. Islam, the religion of mercy and peace, and violence can never be mentioned together.”

The message called on worshippers to counter societal challenges by fostering knowledge, wisdom, and morality, while protecting families and children from harmful habits and ideologies.

In closing, the sermon paid tribute to teachers, Qur’an instructors, and lecturers for their tireless efforts in guiding communities toward knowledge and righteousness. Prayers were offered for deceased educators, while living teachers were wished health and well-being.

This week’s sermon served as a reminder of the enduring significance of education in Islam—not just as a means of personal betterment, but as a pathway to societal peace and global harmony. By uniting knowledge with morality, Türkiye’s religious authorities hope to inspire individuals to become beacons of justice, compassion, and progress.

The full text of the sermon is as follows:

KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO DIGNITY, VIOLENCE TO MISERY

Dear Muslims!

In the verse I have recited, our Lord Almighty (swt) states: “Indeed, Allah has done the believers a great favor by raising a messenger from among them—reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom...”

In the hadith I have read, our beloved Prophet (saw) says,  “Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it...”

Dear Believers!

Our sublime religion, Islam, is a faith that commands the pursuit of learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Islam regards it as an act of worship to engage in acquiring knowledge that lead to Allah’s pleasure. It makes the acquisition of knowledge an essential duty for every Muslim, both men and women. The fact that the first verse revealed to our beloved Prophet (saw) was the commandment, اِقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذ۪ي خَلَقَۚ   “Read, o Prophet, in the Name of your Lord Who created.”  points to this truth.

Islam has put goodness, justice, mercy, love and respect at the basis of education and training. According to Islam, the purpose of reading and writing is to benefit humanity and contribute to the development of societies. In this regard, the Messenger of Allah (saw) says in one of his hadiths, خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ  “The best people are those who are most beneficial to other people.”

Dear Muslims!

After the family, our teachers play the most important role in shaping our personality, developing our character, and forming our identity. The Messenger of Allah (saw) informs that teachers have a prophetic heritage by saying, خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ  “Verily I have been sent as a teacher.”  Right, teachers are exceptional individuals who play a vital role in shaping the spiritual and moral development of people, as well as influencing the future of nations. Individuals and societies are the masterpieces of teachers. Thus, as in the past, it is through our teachers that our children—who are the cherished gifts of our Lord (swt)—will be introduced to faith, worship, good morals, respect, and kindness. Through the guidance of our teachers, our young people will have the opportunity to grow into a generation that is beneficial to themselves, their families, and their nation.

Dear Believers!

Every teacher, regardless of their subject, should work to instill in their students our national and spiritual values, as well as moral principles. They should aim to raise individuals who know their Lord (swt), recognize their Prophet (saw), are aware of the Hereafter, and love their state and nation. A school where teachers treat their students like their own children, and students respect their teachers as parents, will foster the creation of happy families, a peaceful society, and ultimately, a civilization rooted in love. Our Almighty Lord (swt) states, “Let there be a group among you who call others to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful.”  Indeed, all our teachers are members of a blessed profession, endowed with the opportunity to attain this glad tidings.

Dear Muslims!

Unfortunately, due to the growing distance from the mercy-filled messages of the Qur’an and Sunnah, oppression and injustices are increasing day by day across the world. As the knowledge, wisdom, and guidance prescribed by Islam have faded away, love and respect have diminished, while violence and hatred have risen. Not a day passes without hearing heartbreaking news of violence against women, children, and the elderly. However, according to our sublime religion, Islam, violence is considered cruelty, a grave sin forbidden by Allah, and a violation of the rights of others, with severe consequences. Violence cannot be justified under any circumstance. Violence in any form is unacceptable, regardless of who perpetrates it or who the victim is. Islam, the religion of mercy and peace, and violence can never be mentioned together.

Dear Believers!

Today is the day to unite knowledge with wisdom and morality. It is time to protect our families and children from harmful habits and false ideologies. It is time to strengthen our country and nation by harnessing all available technology and the opportunities of the modern era.

On this occasion, I respectfully and gratefully remember all our teachers, Qur’an course instructors, and lecturers who have guided us to this day. I pray for mercy on those who have passed away and wish health and well-being to those who are still with us. (ILKHA)