Serve Allah without becoming an oppressor
“Never become the person that you went and freed somebody else from.”
The story of Abraha teaches that sincere service must not become rivalry or tyranny, and that believers should trust Allah’s protection while continuing to remember, advocate for, and make dua for oppressed people.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Abraha arrives in Yemen as a liberator but eventually becomes a tyrant.
- He builds a cathedral to outshine the Kaaba, exposing rivalry and insincere intentions.
- Abraha marches on Mecca with elephants, while Abdul Muttalib trusts the Kaaba’s Master.
- Surah al-Fil illustrates Allah’s power to defeat arrogant and seemingly unbeatable forces.
- Allah preserves the reward of good deeds, even when they receive no worldly recognition.
- Listeners are urged to renew sincere intentions, maintain dua, and speak for oppressed people without becoming oppressors themselves.
In the khateeb's words
“When a person. Does something. When they do anything. Their intention. Must be. That I want to do good. For the sake of good. And I want to do good. For the sake of Allah.”
“That I am the master of these animals. And so I am responsible to take care of them. And that home that you intend to destroy also has a master.”
“Allah will always be there for His people. The question is. Will we be there for our people? Will we constantly remember our ummah?”
“Never become the person that you went and freed somebody else from. Do not become the enemy.”
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah told the story of Abraha, a general sent from Abyssinia to free the people of Yemen. At first everyone saw him as a hero, but pride and jealousy of the Kaaba turned him into a tyrant who marched on Makkah with elephants to destroy it. Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's grandfather, stood his ground and said the Kaaba has a Master who will protect it, and Allah sent small birds carrying pebbles that destroyed the whole army, as Surah Al-Fil describes. Ustadh Safi reminded us to do good sincerely for Allah, not to compete with others, and to never become the very thing we once stood against. He also asked us never to give up on dua or on speaking up for oppressed people around the world, because Allah always takes care of what is His and no good deed is ever lost.
- Even the elephant refused to walk toward the Kaaba. What do you think that teaches us about respecting what is sacred?
- Have you ever started something with a good intention and then caught yourself doing it to show off? What helped you get back on track?
- Who is one person or group of people we can make dua for together tonight?
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