Muharram calls us to sacrifice and renew faith
“What the days call us to is sacrifice.”
The khutbah teaches that welcoming Muharram means honoring the sacrifices that built the Muslim community, embracing Islam and good deeds without reservation, fasting Ashura with an adjacent day, and using that discipline to improve worship, character, and communal responsibility.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The Prophet’s outreach to Arab tribes is illustrated through his encounter with the powerful Banu Shayban.
- Banu Shayban admired the revelation but declined full commitment because of their treaty with Persia.
- The Prophet preferred six people from Yathrib who accepted Islam fully, teaching that submission to Allah outranks worldly power.
- Muharram is presented as a season of sacrifice, Hijrah, community formation, and renewed personal commitment.
- Listeners are urged to fast Ashura and an adjacent day, examine neglected prayers, and hasten toward good deeds.
- The khutbah closes by emphasizing Muslim unity and responsible conduct toward neighbors, including parking and scheduling guidance.
In the khateeb's words
“what the days call us to is sacrifice this is the whole purpose of Muharram this is why the Prophet asked us to fast on these days”
“being part of a community allows us to branch away from just our own personal selves and be part of something greater in life be part of a greater mission”
“the purpose of the Jummah prayer is to give you these reminders to remind ourselves that the sacrifices of those who came before us was not in vain”
For the dinner table
Muharram invites us to remember the sacrifices that helped the Muslim community begin and to ask what we need to change in our own lives. The khateeb encouraged fasting on Ashura, June 25, together with June 24 or June 26, and using the focus of fasting to strengthen prayer and character. He reminded us that Islam brings people of different backgrounds together as one community. We should hurry toward good deeds, care for one another, and take our responsibilities to neighbors seriously. The month is a chance to become better versions of ourselves through worship, discipline, and service.
- What is one habit you would like to let go of during Muharram?
- How can fasting help us become more thoughtful and disciplined?
- What can our family do to strengthen our Muslim community?
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