9:48 That is to bring…13:05 When we vote, So then,…18:28 so if we have the…22:33 Your responsibility is…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Voting and justice are civic duties

El-Zahra · Moutaz Charaf

“If there is no peace, then there is no security.”

The khateeb, at 9:48

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims fulfill their purpose by enjoining good, opposing evil, standing for justice, and practicing mindful civic responsibility through voting and community involvement.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The khutbah defines Muslims’ purpose as promoting good and resisting evil.
  2. Islam is connected with peace and security for society.
  3. Voting and local civic participation are presented as ways to influence public decisions.
  4. Quranic guidance emphasizes justice, individual responsibility, and accountability.
  5. Taqwa is explained as mindfulness of Allah in every decision.
  6. Listeners are urged to vote, stay involved, and express their values responsibly.
Try this week
Vote on November 5, including through early voting if needed.
Learn about issues affecting local towns, counties, schools, and states.
Participate in school-board and city-council meetings.
Communicate Muslim community concerns and values to elected officials.
Stand for justice consistently, even when it is personally difficult.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 3:110Frames Muslims as a community tasked with enjoining good and forbidding evil.
Quran 4:135Commands standing firmly for justice, even against oneself or relatives.
Quran 4:131Emphasizes the command to have taqwa, or mindfulness of Allah.
Quran 47:38Warns that Allah can replace a people who abandon their responsibility.
Quran 26:3Clarifies that the Prophet’s role is to convey the message, not control acceptance.
Quran 16:90Commands justice and good conduct while forbidding wrongdoing and oppression.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“That is to bring security Because if there is no peace... then there is no security.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 9:48
“When we vote, So then, that it tells the politicians that the Muslims that they vote and then we need to go to them and we need to listen to them.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 13:05
“so if we have the commandments of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in our mind and we decide according to those commandments of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 18:28
“Your responsibility is to tell them that what are the disadvantages of those things that you are going to do.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 22:33
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that being Muslim includes encouraging good, resisting harm, and helping bring peace and security to others. He explained taqwa as being mindful of Allah in our choices and actions. He urged Muslims to take community responsibilities seriously, highlighting voting and involvement in local education and council decisions. He also reminded us to stand for justice, even when it goes against ourselves or our relatives. As a family, we can reflect on how our choices serve both our own community and the wider human family.

  1. What could you do this week to help bring peace to a disagreement?
  2. When could pausing to remember Allah help you make a thoughtful choice?
Where it was given

The masjid

El-Zahra Islamic Center218 Irving Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432Jumu'ah 1st 1:00 to 1:45 PM (streamed to YouTube) · 2nd 2:00 to 2:30 PMKhateebMoutaz CharafMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at El-Zahra48 khutbahs
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