Worship must follow the Quran and Sunnah
“Do not cheat one another, do not wrong one another, do not oppress one another, do not break or breach the trust of one another.”
Muslims should worship sincerely, follow only practices grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah, reject invented rituals such as the special Rajab prayer, protect people’s trusts, and prepare for Ramadan through sound worship and good character.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Explains that sincere intention and conformity to the Prophet’s guidance are necessary for accepted worship.
- Warns against religious innovations and rejects the special Rajab prayer and other unsourced rituals.
- Discusses the sacred months and commands Muslims not to cheat, oppress, backbite, or betray trusts.
- Explains that violating people’s honor and rights can result in good deeds being transferred to those wronged.
- Compares Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadan to planting, watering, and harvesting, encouraging preparation for Ramadan.
- Concludes by urging adherence to the Sunnah and asking Allah for protection from misguidance.
In the khateeb's words
“all of our forms of worship all of our obligations that we carry to Allah SWT. They are based upon the sincerity of intention.”
“Anyone who innovates into this deen with all the direction or authorization of the Prophet, that action that he performs shall be what? Rejected totally and outright.”
“do not cheat one another, do not wrong one another, do not oppress one another, do not break or breach the trust of one another.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that worship begins with sincere intentions and seeking Allah’s pleasure. He also stressed following the Prophet’s teachings and checking the evidence for religious practices, warning about special practices associated with Rajab that he said lacked a basis in the Qur’an and Sunnah. He urged us to give attention to our responsibilities toward other people: being fair, returning what they entrust to us, and protecting their dignity. Trust includes someone’s reputation, so gossip and false accusations can cause serious harm. As we prepare for Ramadan, we can help one another worship sincerely, learn carefully, and put right the ways we have wronged others.
- What is one good deed you could do quietly, just to please Allah?
- Who could help us check where a religious practice comes from?
- What could you say when a conversation turns into gossip about someone?
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