Make room for others at Muharram majalis
“If you make a room for somebody in a majlis, Allah will make a room for you.”
Because Karbala is a living spiritual responsibility rather than merely history, believers should honor Muharram majalis by caring for their spaces, welcoming fellow mourners, prioritizing congregational prayer, and observing the first of Muharram with fasting and supplication.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Frames Karbala as a spiritually ongoing event, not merely a historical tragedy.
- Calls for cleanliness and personal responsibility at majlis venues.
- Urges attendees to make room for newcomers and welcome every azadar.
- Encourages greeting and handshaking with fellow believers.
- Asks attendees to remain for congregational prayer, following Imam Ali’s example.
- Recommends fasting on the first of Muharram, praying for suffering Muslims, and mourning Imam Husayn respectfully.
In the khateeb's words
“As far as we are concerned, no, this is not just a historical event, that it happened in certain time, and it is just like any other events, and it was tragic.”
“If you make a room for somebody in a majlis, Allah will make a room for you.”
“Other than Salat, what are we fighting them for? It is to establish Namaz, it is to establish prayers, Salat that we are fighting for.”
“If you don't have any kind of hajat, if you are comfortable, let us fast on this day.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that Muharram and Karbala are not only history; they call us to live with respect, welcome, and remembrance. When we attend majlis, we should care for the space, clean up after ourselves, make room for others, and greet people kindly. We should try to remain for congregational prayer unless we have a real reason to leave. On the first of Muharram, those who are able are encouraged to fast and make dua, including for people suffering around the world. Our mourning should shape our conduct so that the lessons of Imam Husayn are visible in how we treat others.
- What is one way we can make a majlis feel welcoming to someone new?
- What would taking responsibility for a shared prayer space look like in our family?
- Who could we remember in our dua or fast for on the first of Muharram?
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