Taqwa means protecting others from harm
“Al-Taqwa for humanity at large is not to inflict harm on others.”
Worshipping Allah extends beyond ritual acts to living with taqwa by using our faculties to avoid harming and protect His creation.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Frames worship as humanity’s purpose and asks how it can be explained beyond ritual practices.
- Interprets Surah Al-Baqarah’s address to all people as a universal call to worship and taqwa.
- Defines taqwa through the Quranic contrasts between goodness and harm, especially avoiding harm to others.
- Distinguishes outward conduct from spiritual awareness of the Creator.
- Urges listeners to use their minds, hearing, and sight to evaluate whether their actions harm others.
- Uses a hadith to portray Muslims and believers as sources of safety for people, their property, honor, and families.
- Concludes by praying for purified hearts, stronger faith, and steadfast taqwa.
In the khateeb's words
“these are acts of worship these are spiritual exercises that are vital essential for our success in this life”
“Al-Taqwa for humanity at large is not to inflict harm on others”
“this message that we embrace that we love so dearly and we celebrate It is not for us it is to celebrate it for the rest of humanity”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah teaches that worship is more than performing rituals; it is also learning to live with taqwa. The khateeb explained taqwa as protecting ourselves from harming Allah’s creation, physically, verbally, emotionally, socially, or financially. We should use our minds, hearing, and sight to pause and ask whether our actions would hurt someone, and whether we would accept the same treatment ourselves. The Prophet’s example reminds us that people should feel safe from our hands and tongues, and that our trustworthiness should protect their property, honor, and families. In this way, Islam’s message becomes a source of peace for all humanity.
- What is one way we can protect someone from harm this week?
- How can we use our minds before speaking or acting?
- What would make another person feel safe around us?
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