Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 23, 2026.
Dhul-Hijjah calls us to worship and repair wrongs
“There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab except with piety.”
In one sentence
During the Hajj season, Muslims who did not travel can still draw near to Allah by making the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah a season of heartfelt remembrance, self-discipline (especially abandoning arguments), increased worship, and by living the charter of justice and mutual rights laid out in the Prophet's Farewell Sermon.
The khutbah in 9 steps
- Opening with the standard khutbah verses: An-Nisa 4:1 on taqwa and the equality of all humanity from one man and one woman, with no racial, tribal, or class superiority
- Aal-Imran 3:102 and the prophets' counsel: Yusuf's dua to die in submission, Ibrahim and Ya'qub charging their sons not to die except as Muslims
- Al-Ahzab 33:70-71: speaking a 'qawlan sadidan', truthful words, in the proper manner, at the proper time
- Hajj reminds us Allah is the One who chose the place of the Ka'bah and of Ibrahim's call to pilgrimage, which Allah Himself delivered to all people
- Hajj combines all acts of worship, physical, financial, time-and-place-restricted, contrasted with unrestricted worship, the remembrance of Allah
- Dhikr is not mere tongue-counting or gamified dua formulas but awe, love, and reverence of Allah in the heart that governs speech and conduct
- The self-discipline of Hajj (no vulgarity, no sin, no arguing even when right) obliges those who stayed home to even greater discipline, since arguments destroy friendships, kinship, and marriages
- The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah: the best days for good deeds, fasting the Day of Arafah expiates two years of minor sins, but only sins that harm no one, per the three 'records' of sin
- Second khutbah: the Farewell Sermon charter, sanctity of blood, wealth and honor; abolition of usury; rights of women; brotherhood; no superiority of Arab over non-Arab, applied to families, communities, Muslim nations, and a world enslaved by interest-based debt
Try this week
Fast during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, especially the Day of Arafah if not performing Hajj
Give sadaqah and increase voluntary charity and voluntary prayers during these ten days
Fulfill obligatory salah and zakah on time
Abandon arguments even when you are right, and avoid vulgar speech and disobedience as hajjis do
Make restitution and seek forgiveness from people you have wronged or owe before departing this life
Take good care of women and honor the mutual rights within marriage per the Farewell Sermon
Apply the Farewell Sermon's principles of equality and justice within your family, community, and society
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 4:1Standard opening verse; used to argue taqwa and the equality of all people created from one man and one woman, with no superiority by race, tribe, or wealth
Quran 3:102Command to fear Allah and die only in a state of submission, illustrated by Yusuf's dua and Ibrahim/Ya'qub's advice to their sons
Quran 12:101Yusuf's supplication to die in submission and join the righteous
Quran 2:131Ibrahim and Ya'qub charging their children: Allah has chosen this religion for you, so die only as submitters
Quran 33:70-71Speaking a 'qawlan sadidan' (truthful, well-mannered, well-timed speech) leads to corrected deeds and forgiven sins
Quran 22:26-27Allah designated the site of the House for Ibrahim and commanded him to proclaim the Hajj; Allah took responsibility for delivering the call
Quran 4:103Prayer is time-restricted worship, like fasting in Ramadan only
Quran 3:191Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and on their sides, dhikr as unrestricted worship
Quran 8:2True believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned
Quran 2:198Allah commands remembrance of Him more than five times in the Hajj verses, including after descending from Arafah
Sahih al-BukhariNo days of the year in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
Sahih MuslimFasting Arafah expiates the sins of the year before and the year to come, clarified to cover only minor sins that harm no one
Jami` at-TirmidhiThe Prophet guarantees a palace in the highest level of Paradise for one who abandons arguing even when correct
Sahih al-BukhariWhen asked about the gravest sin, the Prophet said: to set up equals to Allah when He created you, used in the 'three records' of sin discussion
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“It means the truth in the proper manner and in the proper time.”
“And in these days, we are passing through very holy season, the season of Al-Hajj.”
“But he is pleased to see you disobeying Allah in those little things that you consider little.”
“And there is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab except with piety.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah was about the blessed days of Hajj and what they teach those of us who stayed home. The khateeb reminded us that Hajj connects us to Prophet Ibrahim, who simply made the call to pilgrimage and trusted Allah to deliver it to people's hearts. He taught that remembering Allah is not just words on the tongue, but living with awe and love of Allah in everything we say and do, in good times and hard times. He warned us about arguing even when we're right, and about the little sins we brush off that slowly pile up on the heart. He ended with the Prophet's farewell message: that no race, wealth, or status makes anyone better than another, only piety does. These ten days are a gift, so the family that fasts, gives, and prays a little extra together can share in the spirit of Hajj without leaving home.
- If you could make one 'call' like Prophet Ibrahim and trust Allah with the result, what would it be?
- What's one 'little thing' people your age treat as no big deal that might actually matter?
- If nobody's race, money, or fame made them better, how would you decide who to look up to?
Keep listening
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