Muslim identity should guide, not follow
“We were not chosen to follow the crowd; we were chosen to guide it.”
Muslims should take pride in their distinct identity as servants of Allah and express it through gratitude, principled practice, and personal hijrah away from sin.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Connects the Hijrah, Musa’s victory, and Muslim identity with dignity in submission to Allah rather than assimilation.
- Argues that Muslims should guide society by enjoining good and forbidding evil, not hide or apologize for Islamic identity.
- Presents four applications: fasting Muharram, reclaiming Islamic identity, expressing gratitude through action, and making a personal hijrah.
- Defines personal hijrah as abandoning prohibited acts, harmful habits, and relationships that pull one away from Allah.
- Closes with supplication and Quranic recitation, followed by community announcements about education and family programs.
In the khateeb's words
“we were not chosen to follow the crowd we were chosen to guide it”
“gratitude is not just something that we say with our tongues but it needs to be expressed through our behaviors.”
“a true muhajir a person who migrates is one that abandons disobedience of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that our deepest honor comes from being servants of Allah, not from fitting into every expectation around us. Muslims are encouraged to be a guiding light by doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. As Muharram begins, we can show gratitude by fasting the ninth and tenth days and by turning Allah’s blessings into good actions. We can also make a personal hijrah by leaving sinful habits and relationships that pull us away from Allah. Families should help children grow up proud of their faith and able to practice it confidently.
- What is one blessing you could turn into a good action this week?
- What does being proud of your Muslim identity look like at school or work?
- Is there a habit you would like to leave behind as your own personal hijrah?
The masjid
More on the ummah & current events
Islam belongs to all of humanity.16:15FIC · Swartz Creek, MI · Oct 10, 2026Dawah must serve all of humanity
EPIC · Plano, TX · Aug 3, 2026The ummah must serve humanity“We have to engage the greater society and we have to better the greater society.”
18:19ICRR · Round Rock, TX · Aug 1, 2026Liberation depends on the next generation“The success of a project is not dependent on the physical completion of it, but it's dependent on if the next generation inherits your legacy or not.”