19:46 At the very least,…35:04 if Muslims come…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 2, 2025.

Muslims can create change through civic action

MAPS Redmond, MAPS Seattle · Akram Baioumy

“If Muslims come together and consistently struggle with one another and have patience and perseverance, you can create a lot of societal change within this country alone.”

The khateeb, at 35:04

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because Muslims are accountable for what lies within their capacity, they should urgently engage their communities through sustained civic service, accountability, and collective action rather than retreating into helplessness or waiting for perfect conditions.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. A tree planted before the Day of Judgment illustrates doing good within one's sphere of influence.
  2. Prophetic teachings broaden contribution beyond charity to advocacy, teaching, supporting vulnerable people, and avoiding harm.
  3. Civic engagement means serving society, promoting justice, and holding leaders accountable, not merely voting.
  4. The speaker challenges apathy and perfectionism through Islamic principles of responsibility and minimizing harm.
  5. Persistent collective action can protect Muslim communities and produce meaningful local change, as shown by a school-policy example.
Try this week
Identify one issue within your sphere of influence and act on it this week.
Vote, while also pursuing broader forms of civic participation and service.
Encourage good, oppose injustice, and hold local leaders and institutions accountable.
Teach a useful skill, help someone who is overpowered or in debt, or support someone facing hardship.
At minimum, avoid becoming a source of injustice, pain, or harm to others.
Work with others consistently and patiently on a just local cause.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“At the very least, just don't be a harm for other people. Don't be a source of injustice on others. Don't be a source of pain for other individuals.”
MAPS Redmond · Redmond, WA
Play from 19:46
“if Muslims come together and consistently struggle with one another and have patience and perseverance, you can create a lot of societal change within this country alone.”
MAPS Redmond · Redmond, WA
Play from 35:04
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Akram reminded us that a good deed matters to Allah even when we cannot see its results, using the image of planting a tree as the world ends. When problems feel too big, we can ask Allah for help and begin with what is within our reach. He described many ways to serve: giving, encouraging good, teaching a skill, supporting someone facing injustice, and making sure we do not hurt others. Civic engagement, he explained, means helping improve people’s lives, and it includes much more than voting. He encouraged everyone to use their abilities, keep trying with patience, and take responsibility for the good they can do while leaving the results to Allah.

  1. What is one good thing you could do even if you never found out how much it helped?
  2. What could you teach someone that would make their day or life easier?
  3. Who around us could use some support, and what could we do together this week?
Where it was given

The masjids

Muslim Association of Puget Sound, Redmond17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond, WA 98052Jumu'ah 1:15 PM first prayer · 2:15 PM second prayer · 3:50 PM youth prayerMAPS Seattle2100 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121Jumu'ah First prayer 12:15 PM · second prayer 1:15 PMKhateebAkram BaioumyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at MAPS Redmond20 khutbahs
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