Honor the oppressed, not their oppressors
“Don't glorify the oppressor because that dishonors the oppressed.”
Mercy is the default, but the Prophet taught Muslims to respond differently to different deaths by honoring the innocent and forgotten while refusing to glorify oppressors.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Uses current political violence and Palestine to challenge selective empathy.
- Explains the human instinct to grieve deaths that feel proximate.
- Surveys prophetic responses to noble non-Muslims, civilians, enemies, and sinners.
- Highlights the Prophet's special care for forgotten believers and martyrs.
- Concludes that public remembrance should honor the oppressed without falsely praising harmful people.
- Calls listeners to take heed from death and seek a good ending.
In the khateeb's words
“Don't glorify the oppressor because that dishonors the oppressed. Don't falsely eulogize those who harmed because then you harm those that were already harmed by them.”
“Honor the forgotten ones and the righteous ones because those are the ones that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala raises.”
“but at the end of the day, how we talk about the dead matters for us as the living.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that mercy should be our natural response to suffering and death. The khateeb explains that we can reject violence and care for grieving relatives while speaking honestly about the harm someone caused. Through examples from the Prophet’s life, he shows how compassion, restraint, and wisdom belong together. He asks us to remember people who are easily overlooked, including those who quietly serve our communities and those whose suffering feels far away. He closes by reminding us that life can end suddenly, encouraging us to reflect on our deeds and ask Allah for a good ending.
- Who quietly helps our community, and how could we show them that we notice and appreciate them?
- What could help you respond with kindness and self-control when you feel angry?
- What is one good thing you want to make time for while Allah has given you today?
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