Muslims should engage in civic life
“At least I can support those that are leading.”
Muslims living in America are religiously obliged to engage civically, following the example of just early Muslim governors like Sa'id ibn Amir, so they can improve society, show the beauty of Islam, and leave a positive legacy in this land.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Arabic opening: praise of Allah, taqwa, adherence to Sunnah, truthfulness, and ihsan
- Quranic commands on taqwa, upright speech, and standing firm for justice
- Hadith that the Prophet was sent to perfect noble character
- Story of Sa'id ibn Amir, the ascetic governor of Homs appointed by Umar ibn al-Khattab
- Umar investigates the people's complaints; the governor's answers reveal piety and service
- Call to civic engagement: support Muslim candidates, honor civil rights sacrifices, leave a legacy
- Closing exhortation not to retreat into isolated bubbles, then second-khutbah Arabic and prayer
In the khateeb's words
“It is not that the Khalifa has died. It is not that the Muslims have lost in battle. It is that materialism has crept into our lives.”
“the day is for serving the people Ya Amir al-Mu'mineen, the night is for worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“if I'm not going to be the one leading, at least I can support those that are leading.”
For the dinner table
Today the khateeb told us the story of Sa'id ibn Amir, a companion appointed by Umar as governor of the city of Homs. When Umar sent him a thousand dinars for his needs, he gave it all to the poor, saying that materialism had crept into their lives. The people complained he only came out at midday, was unavailable at night, and vanished one day a month, and he explained that he helped his wife at home in the mornings, spent his nights worshipping Allah, and owned only one set of clothes that he had to wash. Umar praised Allah that people like this were governing. The khateeb used this story to urge us to get involved in our communities and civic life, because wherever a Muslim goes, the beauty of Islam should be shown, and if we cannot lead ourselves, we should at least support those who do.
- The governor owned only one set of clothes, what's one thing you have that you could give away to someone who needs it more?
- He helped his wife cook and clean every morning even though he ran a whole city, what chores could you help with at home this week?
- If you were mayor of our city for one day, what's the first thing you would fix?
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