Purpose calls Muslims to civic action
“Pledge that you're going to be voting next week.”
Because Islam gives believers purpose and repeated reminders, Muslims should reject passive victimhood and spectator-complaining by taking responsible, organized civic action, especially registering and voting.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Explains taqwa as loving fear of Allah and not wanting to disappoint Him.
- Uses Quranic reminders about humanity’s purpose and Allah’s self-sufficiency.
- Argues that the five daily prayers continually restore purpose and accountability.
- Introduces the soccer metaphor of victims as the ball, critics as spectators, and responsible Muslims as players.
- Connects civic engagement to anti-Muslim hatred, Palestine, taxation, and policy decisions.
- Uses a San Diego mosque attack to stress agency, responsibility, and community awareness before closing with a call to vote.
In the khateeb's words
“This is the kind of fear we should be having of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“What this deen of Islam gives us brothers and sisters. It gives us direction. It gives you purpose.”
“Register to vote. Pledge that you're going to be voting next week. Early voting is going to start next week.”
“You have to take that agency. You have to take that responsibility. Nobody's going to help the Palestinian people or other members of the Ummah except you.”
For the dinner table
The imam explained that fearing Allah is not like fearing an enemy; it is loving Allah and not wanting to disappoint Him. Islam gives us a purpose, worshipping Allah, and the five daily prayers keep bringing us back to that purpose. He urged Muslims not to be passive spectators or feel like a ball being kicked around, but to become responsible players who act with courage. In the context of anti-Muslim hatred and suffering in Palestine, he especially asked eligible listeners to register to vote and vote. He closed by reminding us to take responsibility for our community and pray for those who are suffering.
- What is one way prayer reminds us of our purpose?
- What is one small step that could help our family become more involved in the community?
- What does it mean to be a “player” instead of a spectator?
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