From Sūrat al-Ḥajj: Bowing, Prostration and a Chosen Elite

Occasion: Transcription of a Fajr khatira delivered on 5 March 2026 Source: A transcription of a video khatira by Dr. Ahmed Abouseif — Watch the original video on YouTube

Dr. Ahmed began with a supplication: "Prepare for us right guidance in our affair, bless us, O Allah, in what You have provided us, protect us, O Allah, from the punishment of the Fire, and turn away from us the causes of punishment in this world and the Hereafter, through a mercy from You, and good pleasure, and gentleness and generosity, O Lord of the worlds."

A parable to be listened to

The khatira was on Sūrat al-Ḥajj, in which Allah struck a parable for the people: ﴿ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ﴾ (A parable has been presented, so listen to it); those who are invoked besides Allah ﴿لَنْ يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا﴾ (will never create a fly). He paused at the word, asked his audience about the meaning of "dhubāba," and translated it for them into English (fly), then asked: why was it called that? And he answered: because whenever you drive it away (dhababtahā), it comes back. Then he mentioned the saying of the Exalted ﴿مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ﴾ (They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal).^[1]

Bowing, prostration, and doing good

Then he moved on to the call to the believers in the surah: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾ (O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good, that you may succeed). He explained that bowing and prostration are prayer and worship, and that your humility before the Lord of Glory, glorified and exalted, is the key to worship, then he mentioned the doing of good deeds.^[2]

Striving for Allah, and being chosen

Then he recited: ﴿وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ﴾ (And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you), and he paused at the word "ijtabākum" (He has chosen you).^[3]

He concluded by addressing those present: "You are an elite among those whom Allah, blessed and exalted, has chosen to be the bearers of our religion and the defenders of the identity of Islam. I ask Allah, blessed and exalted, to make us among His sincere servants, to write down our traces in this world, to bless our steps, to safeguard our striving, and to make us pleased with His pleasure. O Allah, amen, O Lord of the worlds."

--- ^[1]: Editor's documentation: The two verses are in Sūrat al-Ḥajj (73–74). The transcript records of them only what is set down above, and the two verses were not completed. ^[2]: Editor's documentation: Sūrat al-Ḥajj, verse 77. ^[3]: Editor's documentation: Sūrat al-Ḥajj, verse 78. It is not clear from the transcript what the speaker said in explaining "ijtabākum," so it was not included.