Vote responsibly without dividing the Muslim community
“A Muslim is not a person who is not civically engaged.”
Muslims should remain civically engaged, weigh imperfect political choices responsibly, and preserve communal unity by refusing to vilify one another over matters of ijtihad.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Uses divisions among British Muslims over Gaza, party allegiance, and elections as an opening example.
- Argues Muslims in Western countries should honor citizenship promises and reject blanket condemnation of the whole system.
- Explains the Quranic distinction between peaceful non-Muslims, whom Muslims may treat kindly and justly, and aggressors.
- Frames electoral choices as ijtihad with trade-offs, urging comparative analysis rather than expectations of a perfect party.
- Uses Hudaybiyyah to illustrate accepting an imperfect agreement for the most urgent good.
- Calls Muslims to vote, weigh consequences for vulnerable people, and avoid treating disagreements as kufr.
- Closes with private sincere advice, charitable interpretation, and restraint in WhatsApp debates.
In the khateeb's words
“So my brothers and sisters, go out, vote. Vote your conscience. Check with somebody you trust or do whatever, but must vote.”
“A Muslim is not supposed to be isolated. A Muslim is not a person who is not civically engaged.”
“There are some pros and cons with all groups. So therefore, it is important for us to give the excuse to our brother and sister.”
“Because when you do it privately, it means you are sincere to advise him or her. But if you give the same advice publicly, that's not sincerity.”
For the dinner table
Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah reminds us that disagreements should not turn our brothers and sisters into enemies. He explains that difficult choices can involve sincere differences in judgment, and he asks us to give one another the benefit of the doubt. He also emphasizes kindness toward neighbors, respect for colleagues, and taking responsibility in the wider community. Drawing on Hudaybiyyah, he reminds us that we cannot always get everything we want and should think carefully about what matters most. His closing advice is to keep our intentions sincere, offer correction privately, and protect our community’s unity while allowing different opinions.
- What could you say to show respect when you disagree with someone?
- How might giving someone the benefit of the doubt change an argument?
- What would kind, private advice sound like if a friend posted something hurtful?
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