Black Muslim history is our shared legacy
“Black American history is Muslim American history.”
The khutbah argues that gratitude and reconnection with the Qur'an can help Muslims embrace Black Muslim history as a shared legacy, transform themselves, organize across communities, and uplift society.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Gratitude is the proper starting point of prayer and Jumu'ah, even amid hardship.
- Muslims should stop romanticizing past golden ages and recognize the opportunities Allah provides in the present.
- Black American history and Muslim American history are deeply intertwined, making this legacy relevant to every Muslim.
- Enslaved Muslims preserved Islam through Qur'an schools, Arabic education, and applying Qur'anic passages to their circumstances.
- The Qur'an transforms individuals and communities, illustrated through Umar ibn al-Khattab, Malcolm X, and Memphis students.
- Muslims should reconnect with the Qur'an, build cross-community relationships, organize, and uplift humanity.
In the khateeb's words
“You still stand, you say Alhamdulillah, and then on Friday you still come?”
“So black American history is Muslim American history. It was not the only Muslim American history, obviously, but it's a significant portion of that.”
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala works on His own time, but He does work. Allah's victory Comes at its own time, but it does come.”
“Get in touch with your brothers and sisters from different communities. Organize yourselves and connect with the Qur'an. Reconnect with the Qur'an.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that Muslims should begin with gratitude, even when life is difficult. During Black History Month, the speaker connected Black American history with Muslim American history, especially the way enslaved Muslims preserved Islam and the Qur'an. The Qur'an has transformed people and communities, including figures such as Malcolm X and young students in Memphis. We should focus less on longing for the past and more on using today's opportunities. The khutbah encouraged us to build relationships across communities, organize, and reconnect with the Qur'an so we can uplift ourselves and humanity.
- What is one blessing you can thank Allah for even during a hard week?
- What might it mean for someone your age to become part of America's Muslim legacy?
- What is one small way our family can reconnect with the Qur'an this week?
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