True freedom means moving toward Allah
“I am still struggling to be Muslim.”
True liberation comes through a continual hijrah toward Allah, living faith genuinely, sacrificing worldly distractions, taking small purposeful steps, and leaving results to Allah while responding to suffering.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Calls listeners to taqwa, submission, and blessings on the Prophet.
- Introduces Muharram, Ashura, and the Hijrah from Mecca to Medina.
- Uses Imam Husayn’s martyrdom to frame dignity, sacrifice, and resistance to tyranny.
- Connects liberation to Juneteenth, Islamophobia, Palestine, Sudan, and life in America.
- Urges genuine faith through tawbah, empathy, sacrifice, and daily choices.
- Closes with three steps: set intentions, keep moving through small acts, and leave results to Allah.
In the khateeb's words
“That there is still the struggle. That I am still struggling to be Muslim. I am still trying to make sense of what it means to be Muslim in America.”
“This isn't performative. This isn't just a phrase that I say, La ilayu Allah, Muhammad al-Rasulullah. But it is lived.”
“Last but not least, that we leave the results to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. It's about us responding and how do we respond.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that hijrah is also an ongoing journey toward Allah, through our choices and intentions each day. He encouraged us to love the Prophet Muhammad and his family, and reflected on Imam Hussain's example of dignity and choosing faith over what pulls us away from Allah. He spoke about grief and injustice, reminding us to care about people who are suffering and to keep responding with compassion. Our faith should show in how we pray, treat our families, help others, and make time to learn. His closing advice was to set our intentions, keep taking small steps, and leave the results to Allah.
- What is one small step you could take toward Allah this week?
- Who could use some of your time or kindness tomorrow, and what could you do?
- What could help you pay more attention to Allah during prayer?
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