Community & unityFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 22, 2025.
Respect elders and share masjid duties
“If you do not respect the elderly and show mercy on the young, you ain't from us.”
In one sentence
Muslims must ground their treatment of one another, especially elders and children, in Allah’s commands, prophetic character, and mercy, while sharing responsibility across generations.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces the family theme as a broader question about society and the place of elderly people.
- Frames good character, proper adab, and following the Prophet as Islamic obligations.
- Grounds mutual treatment in human dignity, sacred rights, and avoiding anger, envy, lying, and oppression.
- Explains distinct duties toward contemporaries, elders, and younger people.
- Uses stories about parental correction and masjid safety to present elder guidance as mercy.
- Calls for younger members to share masjid responsibilities instead of leaving them to older people.
Try this week
Do not remain angry with fellow Muslims or cut them off beyond three days.
Respect elders and consider their corrective advice as potentially merciful.
Show mercy to younger people and teach them proper masjid etiquette.
Keep children close and supervised in the masjid for safety.
Share masjid responsibilities so older members are not carrying most of the work.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“when the law and His messenger has already decreed a matter, you have no other option in that matter.”
“If you do not respect the elderly and show mercy on the young, you ain't from us.”
“they were showing me a mercy. And they were being who they should be.”
“we should not really be in a situation where you have the elderly performing the majority of the functions in the masjid and the young or those people that's younger than them standing by watching.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb taught that Islam gives every person honor and asks us to treat one another with good character. We should respect elders, show mercy to younger people, and take their advice seriously when it protects us from harm. He shared a story about realizing that his parents’ correction was for his benefit, not theirs. He also reminded the congregation that younger people should help carry the masjid’s responsibilities instead of leaving the work to older members.
- What is one piece of advice from an older person that might be meant as mercy?
- How can we show respect to elders and kindness to younger children this week?
- What is one masjid job young people could help with?
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