9:05 Those who cut what…14:33 Sometimes in this…29:13 You should still say…
Family & marriageFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Protect family without abandoning them

NAMCC · Nouman Ali Khan

“You should still say salam, you should still check on her.”

The khateeb, at 29:13

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In one sentence

Family ties chosen by Allah remain sacred, but preserving them requires mature boundaries, protection from harm, and efforts to repair wrongdoing rather than simplistic closeness or total estrangement.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Distinguishes relationships Allah assigns from relationships people choose.
  2. Explains that severing divinely created family ties violates sacred responsibilities.
  3. Uses Ibrahim, Yaqub, Nuh, and Musa to show that necessary separation need not mean hatred or abandonment.
  4. Clarifies that travel, study, work, and migration can serve family responsibilities rather than reject them.
  5. Concludes that family members must be protected from abuse and harm while maintaining appropriate contact and addressing wrongs.
Try this week
Protect yourself and children from abusive or dangerous relatives.
Seek police, legal, or other appropriate intervention when family members commit violence or theft.
Maintain some safe and appropriate contact instead of automatically severing every relationship.
Address and repair wrongdoing rather than relying on greetings or religious language alone.
Continue supporting parents through work, study, or financial provision when distance is necessary.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 14Uses Ibrahim's prayers for his parents and descendants to explain continued concern despite separation.
Surah 28Uses Musa's flight from Egypt to show that life-threatening circumstances can require distance from family.
Surah 36Uses ships and travel as an example of people leaving family in order for civilization and trade to function.
Surah 73Uses travel to seek provision to show that earning abroad can support, rather than abandon, parents.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Those who cut what Allah has commanded, that should remain joined.”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 9:05
“Sometimes in this world, it's impossible for you to go back. Those situations exist.”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 14:33
“You should still say salam, you should still check on her.”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 29:13
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Allah gives us family relationships that we did not choose, so we should treat them as sacred responsibilities. Keeping family ties does not mean allowing abuse, danger, theft, or other wrongdoing to continue. Sometimes distance is necessary, but separation does not require hatred or abandoning every form of care. We should protect one another, address harm honestly, repair what we can, and keep appropriate contact. Even work or study far from home can support parents when it brings them care and provision.

  1. What does making our home safe from hurtful words and actions look like?
  2. How can someone show love to family while still setting a healthy boundary?
  3. When might working or studying far away actually help a family?
Where it was given

The masjid

North Austin Muslim Community Center11900 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753Jumu'ah 12:15 PM · 1:30 PM · 2:30 PMKhateebNouman Ali KhanMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at NAMCC77 khutbahs
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