Every Muslim must offer sincere counsel

Sincere, well-wishing counsel (nasiha) is the very essence of the religion, and every Muslim must offer it to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, Muslim leaders, and the wider community.

The khutbah in 6 steps

1. Opening: the root meaning of nasiha combines pure, sweet advice with mending what is torn or broken
2. The hadith 'al-deen al-nasiha': religion is not merely one teaching among many but is essentially sincere counsel
3. Nasiha toward Allah, His Book, and His Messenger means pure tawhid, accepting and living the Quran, and loving and following the Prophet
4. Nasiha toward Muslim leaders means supporting them in truth, advising them privately and gently, and making dua for them
5. Nasiha toward fellow Muslims: believers are brothers, so one must neither wrong nor forsake another
6. Closing practical charge: come to every gathering with sweetness, leave people and places better than you found them, and fix what is broken