Islam has shaped America's foundations
“This idea that Islam is foreign to this country is the furthest thing from the truth.”
Islam is not foreign to America but has shaped its intellectual and political foundations since before the nation's founding, so Muslims today must confidently educate their fellow Americans about this history and about true Islamic monotheism.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Opening Arabic khutbah formulas and framing around American Independence Day
- Rejecting the common American perception that Islam is foreign and arrived only in the 1970s-80s
- Narrative of Ottoman-Muslim scientific and political influence on 16th-17th century Europe
- How European scholars studied in the Muslim world and brought Arabic manuscripts back to Oxford and Cambridge
- Claim that Enlightenment figures and American founders were influenced by Islamic monotheism and religious pluralism
- Evidence of early Muslim presence in America: Sidi Sulaiman Mellimelli, Omar ibn Said, and Jefferson's Quran
- Pivot to the prophetic farewell sermon and the duty of every Muslim to convey Islam
- Call to action to talk to coworkers and neighbors, and dua for oppressed Muslims worldwide
In the khateeb's words
“this idea that Islam is foreign to this country is the furthest thing from the truth”
“Thomas Jefferson we've all heard this he used to have a copy of the Quran he purchased it as a student in 1765”
“we are the messengers of the messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam”
For the dinner table
The khateeb argued that Islam and Muslims are not foreign to America, pointing to Muslim presence and influence from the earliest periods of the country's history. He described how European scholars studied Arabic, Muslim science, philosophy, and theology, and how ideas about monotheism and religious freedom influenced American thinkers. The khutbah reminded us that Islam is complete and that Muslims today inherit the responsibility of carrying its message. We should share Islam with wisdom, kindness, and confidence while helping people understand Muslim history and standing with oppressed people around the world. Our faith calls us to be people of knowledge, justice, and good character.
- What is one thing you learned about Muslims in American history?
- How could you explain one beautiful part of Islam to a friend?
- What does being a messenger of the Messenger look like in our family?
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