The First Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, the Almighty, the All-Appreciative, who has encouraged us to pursue the most noble and determined of matters. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and we bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. May the peace, blessings, and mercies of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow him.
To proceed:
I advise you, O servants of Allah, and myself, to have Taqwa of Allah. For through Taqwa, your will is elevated, and your determination is strengthened. Allah the Almighty says:
﴿وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ﴾
But if you are patient and fear Allah, indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.
O Believers:
Determination (Al-’Azm) is a noble value and a majestic trait. Through it, goals are attained, successes are achieved, difficulties are subdued, and obstacles are removed. Its banner is carried only by those possessed of will and strength, patience and high ambition.
The essence of determination is the firm resolve of the heart and the gathering of one's inner faculties to move forward with a clear vision and enlightened insight, free from hesitation or instability.
This trait was the hallmark of the Messengers of the highest rank (Ulu al-’Azm), characterized by their sincere resolve, deep-rooted steadfastness, and beautiful patience. Its meaning was perfectly embodied in the leader of creation and the master of determination: our Master and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, in obedience to the command of his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime:
﴿فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُولُو الْعَزْمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ﴾.
So be patient, [O Muhammad], as were those of determination among the messengers...
Thus, when the Prophet ﷺ resolved to do something, he never wavered in his decision; and when he moved forward, he never looked back in his stride. Among his frequent supplications was:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ».
O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in [all] matters, and the determination to follow the right path.
O servants of Allah, reflect on how the Prophet ﷺ combined steadfastness and determination in his supplication. Indeed, the person of determination stands out from others; you see them firm in their positions and loyal to their principles. And this is no surprise, for steadfastness and determination are the pillars of every noble standing and the foundation of every towering success.
The tree of these two traits is rooted in high ambition, and its trunk is strengthened by deep-rooted patience. Consequently, it yields its fruit as achievement after achievement, and success followed by success.
It is determination, strengthened by our connection to our Lord, the sincerity of our seeking refuge in Him, and the excellence of our reliance upon Him. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, says:
﴿فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ﴾
And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].
It is determination: whoever is characterized by it finds their ambition strengthened, their vision clarified, and their resolve propelled toward noble deeds and virtues.
It is determination, entirely good. In worship, it is the sincerity of intention; in knowledge, it is the diligence in seeking it; in the family, it is its cohesion; in gatherings, it is their etiquette and refinement; in society, it is its solidarity; and in the nation, it is its protection. It is the guardian of values, the crown of noble deeds, gallantry in difficult situations, the heritage of the past, and the wise foresight for the future.
O Servants of Allah:
Determination (Al-’Azm) is a disciplined human conduct that only arises through noble character and gracious dealings. The ultimate test of one’s resolve lies in times of hardship, trials, and crises, where there is a dire need to train the soul to endure. A person of determination is patient and forbearing; they overlook the offences of the envious and rise above the ignorance of those with ulterior motives. Allah the Almighty says:
﴿وَلَمَنْ صَبَرَ وَغَفَرَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَمِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ﴾
And whoever is patient and forgives, indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.
Determination is strengthened by sensing the divine reward and by reflecting on the praiseworthy ends and the happy outcomes. Allah the Almighty says:
﴿فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ﴾
And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.
Furthermore, the perfection of determination lies in taking the necessary means, maintaining constant readiness, and possessing the positivity that repels despair and despondency. Therefore, beware of procrastination, and avoid doubt and hesitation. As the poet said:
إِذَا كُنْتَ ذَا رَأْيٍ فَكُنْ ذَا عَزِيمَةٍ *** فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ الرَّأْيِ أَنْ تَتَرَدَّدَا
If you possess a sound opinion, then be a person of resolve, for the corruption of an opinion lies in being hesitant.
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ﴾.
O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.
I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you, so seek His forgiveness.
The Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, besides Whom there is no other deity. Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, after whom there is no prophet.
To proceed:
O Believers, the United Arab Emirates is a nation of sincere will and unwavering resolve. This determination is evident in its vision, its sincerity, and its loyalty. It moves toward its future with confident strides, a conscious mind, and continuous work, adhering to the laws of success and following the paths of excellence. It is armed with knowledge, invested in human potential, and firm in the belief that progress is only built upon taking the necessary means and maintaining excellent preparation.
This is an enduring tradition, a deep-rooted approach, and the path toward leadership. It is not deterred by challenges, nor is it hindered by obstacles. As the poet said:
عَلَى قَدْرِ أَهْلِ الْعَزْمِ تَأْتِي الْعَزَائِمُ *** وَتَأْتِي عَلَى قَدْرِ الْكِرَامِ الْمَكَارِمُ
“Great matters are achieved in proportion to the people of resolve, and noble deeds come in proportion to those who are generous and noble.”
On the seventeenth of January, the Day of Emirati Determination (Yawm al-’Azm), the UAE takes pride in its loyal people, who have rallied around their leadership and believed in their vision. Through this unity, they have forged great achievements. Our Armed Forces have inscribed the most magnificent epics of heroism and offered the most precious sacrifices, proving the sincerity of their love for the soil of this homeland. Regarding such people, the words of Allah the Almighty are true:
﴿مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ﴾.
Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah.
Therefore, accustom yourselves to determination and instill it in your children. For through it, you shall surpass others, build the edifice of your civilization, and increase the prosperity of your nation.
O Allah, send Your peace, blessings, and grace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his pure and noble family. O Allah, be pleased with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, and with all the noble Companions.
O Allah, we ask You for steadfastness in all matters, and the determination to follow the right path. We ask You for the ability to be grateful for Your favours and to worship You in the best manner. We ask You for a sound heart and a truthful tongue. We ask You for the good of what You know, and we seek refuge in You from the evil of what You know.
O Allah, grant us wisdom in speech and correctness in our deeds. Guide us to our paths, ease our affairs, and grant us happiness in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, make us true believers in You, sincere worshippers of You, and practitioners of the commandments of Your Book. Adorn us with determination and will and make us dutiful to our parents; and have mercy on them as they raised us when we were young, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
O Allah, preserve the United Arab Emirates by Your protection; take it into Your care, encompass it with Your providence, and perpetuate its stability and prosperity. Protect it from the envy of the envious, the schemes of the schemers, the aggression of the aggressors, and the evil of enemies and the malicious, O Lord of all worlds.
O Allah, preserve the one endowed with wisdom and courage, the possessor of generous and noble deeds, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the State. Grant him continued success, sound judgment, and support. Grant success to him, his deputies, his brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates, and his trusted Crown Prince, in all that You love and are pleased with.
O Allah, have mercy upon Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, and all the sheikhs of the Emirates who have passed on to Your mercy. Admit them, by Your grace, into the vastness of Your Gardens. Encompass the martyrs of the nation with Your mercy and forgiveness.
O Allah, have mercy upon the Muslim men and Muslim women, the living among them and the dead.
O Allah, send down upon us rain, and do not make us among the despairing. O Allah, grant us relief; O Allah, grant us relief; O Allah, grant us relief.
