True faith requires justice, mercy, and peace
“The oppressed will be helped even if you are not a Muslim.”
True faith requires practicing justice, mercy, and peace even when doing so is personally difficult, because these qualities build a harmonious and principled community.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Justice and excellence must govern relationships, including when admitting personal or familial fault.
- A true Muslim avoids harming others, spreads peace, and maintains family and community ties.
- The Prophet’s Medina constitution modeled justice, religious freedom, and protection for the oppressed.
- The Prophet forgave former persecutors at the conquest of Mecca instead of seeking revenge.
- The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah demonstrates prioritizing lasting peace and justice over immediate victory.
In the khateeb's words
“Because it shows That to be just We need to be kind To be just We need to help people That are below us And bring them up to our level”
“The oppressed will be helped Even if you are not a Muslim The oppressed will be helped And treachery is forbidden The Muslims will not betray the Jews The Jews will not betray the Muslims”
“Yet Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam He prioritized peace Over immediate victory”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that justice is central to being a faithful Muslim, even when fairness is uncomfortable or goes against our own interests. We should avoid hurting people, spread peace, feed those in need, and maintain our family ties. The Prophet’s community in Medina showed that people of different faiths can live under shared justice and protection. At the conquest of Mecca, he chose forgiveness over revenge, and at Hudaybiyyah he chose peace over an immediate victory. A strong Muslim community grows when its members act with fairness, mercy, and patience.
- What is one way you can spread peace or kindness at home this week?
- Why might forgiving someone sometimes build a stronger community than seeking revenge?
- How can we help someone who is struggling or “below us” rise with us?
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