How to pray under unjust leadership
“Either you do Jumu'ah or you do Zuhur.”
The khutbah explains Shi'i Friday-prayer rulings and argues that Jumu'ah sermons must address community affairs while believers preserve worship and justice under difficult leadership.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Explains the two sermons, their Arabic elements, the local-language message, and the two-rak'ah prayer.
- Clarifies that missing the khutbah or first rak'ah does not necessarily invalidate participation in Jumu'ah.
- Describes Shi'i rulings during the Imam's presence and occultation, including the choice between Jumu'ah and Zuhur.
- Explains how Umayyad rulers misused Friday sermons and how Imam Ali responded through taqiyya.
- Uses Imam Ali's practice to explain attending prayers led by unjust figures while completing Zuhur.
- Establishes the khutbah's socio-political purpose through Imam al-Rida's teaching.
- Applies the principle to UN politics, threats, international law, and opposition to aggression.
In the khateeb's words
“Even if you miss the khutbah, you can still do Salatul Jum'ah.”
“Either you do jumu'ah or you do zuhur. You can't neglect, you know, both of them.”
For the dinner table
Maulana Rizvi explained that Jumu'ah includes two sermons and two rakats of prayer, and that the main message should be in a language the community understands. He described the majority Shia scholarly view that, during the Imam's absence, people have a choice between Jumu'ah and Zuhr but cannot neglect both. He reminded listeners that Friday sermons also have a responsibility to address issues affecting the community. He described how rulers misused the pulpit to spread hatred against Imam Ali, showing how powerful repeated words can be. Turning to the United Nations, he argued that participating in a difficult setting can offer a chance to defend people, and he criticized leaders whose actions contradict their stated values. He ended with a prayer for the Imam's appearance and global peace.
- What is one message from Jumu'ah that you could put into practice this week?
- When you keep hearing something unkind about someone, how could you check whether it is fair?
- How could you speak up for someone while staying respectful?
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