Community & unityFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 2, 2026.
Include the poor in community life
“The worst food is the food to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out.”
In one sentence
Muslims should reject status-based exclusion and honor, include, and learn from poor and socially marginalized people.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces a hadith from Riyadh al-Salihin about caring for vulnerable people.
- Explains that excluding the poor from food gatherings is condemned.
- Connects this principle to Quranic examples involving Nuh, Shu'aib, and the Prophet Muhammad.
- Shares a fundraising story showing the generosity and commitment of ordinary attendees.
- Urges listeners to reject elite-centered social circles and spend time with simple people.
Try this week
Include poor and less affluent people in meals, gatherings, and masjid activities.
Spend time with ordinary people instead of surrounding yourself only with wealthy or business-oriented circles.
Examine and correct assumptions that rank people by wealth or social status.
Sources the khateeb cited
Riyad as-SalihinIntroduces the chapter on treating orphans, girls, weak people, the poor, and humble people.
Sahih al-BukhariUses the warning that food gatherings excluding the poor are among the worst gatherings.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“the worst food is the food to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out”
“those simple people not only they give 50 dollars they empty their pockets and even they give half of their money in their bank account to the masjid”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Islam does not measure people by wealth or social status. It warns against inviting the rich while leaving the poor out of community gatherings. The speaker reminds us that ordinary people may be deeply generous, committed, and spiritually valuable. We should spend time with people from different circumstances because they can remind us to live simply and keep our hearts humble.
- Who might be left out when people plan gatherings around wealth or status?
- What can people with simpler lives teach our family?
- Why is it risky to judge generosity by appearance or income?
Keep listening
More on Community & unity
There is no such thing as a nobody.19:44Masjid Fulton · Sacramento, CA · Oct 10, 2026No one should feel forgotten
The question is how do we disagree without destroying our relationships and our communities?14:27Al-Misbah Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON · Oct 3, 2026How to disagree without hostility
ICNYC · Greenwich Village, NY · Sep 26, 2026True faith serves people and Allah“We have a comprehensive and holistic understanding of this deen that goes beyond just benefiting ourselves to benefiting humanity at large.”