Repentance must lead to repairing society
“Islam is a combination between you being righteous and you helping others be righteous.”
Natural disasters should prompt Muslims not only to repent for their sins but also to become muslihoon who actively help others, oppose wrongdoing, and rectify communal affairs.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Urges voter registration and briefly asks congregants to support EPIC.
- Frames the recent North American winter storm as a reminder, test, and possible punishment.
- Uses Umar ibn al-Khattab’s response to an earthquake to argue that sin requires repentance.
- Cites the warning to Zainab bint Jahsh that widespread evil can endanger even the righteous.
- Introduces muslihoon as righteous people who actively rectify others’ affairs.
- Challenges listeners to help the oppressed, condemn wrongdoing, and combine personal righteousness with communal reform.
In the khateeb's words
“The only one that requires action. Is the third reason. And that is because of our sins.”
“What should we do. The first thing. That we should do. Is return to Allah. And ask for forgiveness. For all of our sins.”
“Being a righteous and just person. Is great. But it is not enough.”
“Islam is a combination between you being righteous. And you helping others be righteous.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that a disaster can remind people of Allah, test them, or expose the consequences of sin. The speaker interpreted the recent winter storm through all three possibilities and urged repentance. He then explained that private righteousness alone is not enough when wrongdoing spreads. Muslihoon are people who also help others become righteous, stand with the weak, and challenge oppression. The invitation is to combine personal worship with responsible care for the wider community.
- When have you seen someone need help, and what could you do?
- What might it mean to be a muslih at school or with friends?
- How can we respond to a hard event with both repentance and practical care?
More on the ummah & current events
Islam belongs to all of humanity.16:15FIC · Swartz Creek, MI · Oct 10, 2026Dawah must serve all of humanity
EPIC · Plano, TX · Aug 3, 2026The ummah must serve humanity“We have to engage the greater society and we have to better the greater society.”
18:19ICRR · Round Rock, TX · Aug 1, 2026Liberation depends on the next generation“The success of a project is not dependent on the physical completion of it, but it's dependent on if the next generation inherits your legacy or not.”