11:49 As we are Muslims we…16:41 always use your own…18:06 if you stay at home…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 25, 2026.

Muslims should engage in civic life

ICGC

“The apathy that we have will lead us to destruction.”

The khateeb, at 18:06

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should participate responsibly in civic and political life through lawful means to protect their rights, religious freedom, community interests, and the public good.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Establishes that political participation is permissible, and may become obligatory, under Islamic law.
  2. Uses Quranic guidance and legal principles to support cooperation for benefit and reduction of harm.
  3. Sets conditions for participation: sincere intention, preserving Islamic principles, and choosing the best or least harmful option.
  4. Explains benefits including influencing public policy, strengthening representative government, and ensuring minority voices are heard.
  5. Warns that political apathy can expose Muslim communities to harmful policies and loss of rights.
  6. Concludes with prayers for oppressed communities, families, the sick, and the deceased.
Try this week
Vote and consider public candidacy or visible advocacy when needed to protect community rights.
Research candidates and issues, choosing the best option or the least damaging one.
Attend town halls, city council meetings, township trustee meetings, and county commissioner meetings.
Work with people of different faiths and backgrounds on public goods.
Contact elected officials by phone, email, or voicemail, and follow up when religious rights or community concerns are ignored.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 5:2Used to support cooperating in righteousness and avoiding cooperation in sin or aggression.
Surah 30Used to illustrate weighing competing harms and choosing the less hostile or less harmful option.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“As we are Muslims we should not do any action before checking if it is halal or mandatory So in regard to that we know that this political participation falls under the category of siyaasa al-shariya”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 11:49
“always use your own mind and do your homework inshallah”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 16:41
“if you stay at home eat biryani and maglooba and take a chai nobody gonna pay attention to you you are wasting your future and the next generation's future because the apathy that we have will lead us to destruction”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 18:06
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb taught that lawful civic participation is permissible in Islam and can become necessary when it protects people’s rights, religious freedom, and community welfare. He urged listeners to act with sincere intentions, preserve Islamic principles, research candidates and issues, and choose the best or least harmful option. He encouraged practical involvement through voting, public meetings, cooperation with neighbors, and contacting officials. He warned that staying silent can make a community invisible, and he closed by praying for oppressed people, families, the sick, and the deceased.

  1. What is one local issue you would research before an election?
  2. How could our family help our community be heard respectfully?
  3. Why might staying silent affect the next generation?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati8092 Plantation Drive, West Chester, OH 45069Jumu'ah Three services · 1:30 PM, 2:45 PM & 4:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICGC26 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Civic engagement

All on this topic
If you don't utilize your vote, you have no power.13:23MIC · Malden, MA · Oct 24, 2026Voting is an amanah for justiceCLIC · Clear Lake, TX · Oct 31, 2026Vote patiently for justice and less harmThe only way to change policies is through elections, through voting.24:31Medical Center Islamic · Houston, TX · Oct 30, 2026Voting helps protect religious freedom