Use Dhul-Hijjah to return to Allah
“We should always be optimistic and have a hope that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will forgive us.”
Muslims should use the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah to strengthen worship, hope in Allah’s mercy, sincere repentance, repaired relationships, and compassionate conduct.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with praise of Allah, testimony of faith, and exhortation to taqwa.
- Connects Hajj and Dhul-Hijjah with taqwa, remembrance, and regular supplication.
- Emphasizes hopeful expectations of Allah, sincere repentance, and Allah’s mercy.
- Urges listeners to reconcile with estranged relatives, friends, and fellow believers.
- Recommends understanding and implementing the Quran, fasting Arafah, charity, family ties, and increased prayer.
- Encourages da'wah through kindness and character, then recommends remaining after Fajr until sunrise for two rak'ahs.
In the khateeb's words
“so the du'a their brothers and sisters is the ibadah itself so we should make a lot of du'a”
“we should always be optimistic and have a hope that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will forgive us Allah is merciful”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Allah’s help is essential, so we should keep making du'a and ask Him to keep our hearts firm. We should hope for Allah’s mercy while also praying, fasting, giving charity, caring for others, and sincerely repenting when we sin. Sincere tawbah means stopping the sin, regretting it, resolving not to return, and restoring anyone’s rights. The imam urges us to repair broken relationships and use kind, fair behavior as our da'wah. During the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, he encourages understanding and living the Quran, fasting, especially on Arafah for those not performing Hajj, and increasing charity, family ties, prayer, and other good deeds.
- What is one kind action that could show someone what Islam teaches?
- Who could we reconnect with this week?
- Which good deed would you like to try during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
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