24:14 you should know this…26:31 christians are…28:19 we have to make du'a…
The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Follow the Quran, not borrowed religious customs

NAMCC

“Just google Christmas tree in the Bible.”

The khateeb, at 24:14

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should follow the Qur'an and the Prophet's example as the straight path, avoiding religious customs borrowed from other communities while maintaining tawhid and taqwa.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Establishes Islam as a complete way of life and the straight path.
  2. Warns against division and following the practices of earlier communities.
  3. Uses the Dhat Anwat story and the footsteps hadith to illustrate imitation.
  4. Applies the warning to Christmas trees, Halloween, Saturnalia, and other borrowed customs.
  5. Closes with calls for repentance and supplication for the sick, deceased, and oppressed.
Try this week
Follow the Qur'an, Sunnah, and Prophet Muhammad's example in daily decisions.
Avoid adopting Christmas trees, Halloween, and similar religious or pagan customs.
Research “Christmas tree in the Bible” and “Saturnalia,” as the speaker instructed.
Discuss these questions with children and be prepared to explain Muslim beliefs to Christian neighbors and coworkers.
Make du'a for the sick, the deceased mother of Zamir, and oppressed Muslims including those in Gaza.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 5:3Used to establish that Islam is complete and Allah's blessing is perfected.
Quran 6:153Used to present Allah's straight path and command Muslims to follow it.
Quran 33:21Used to identify the Prophet Muhammad as the believer's example.
Quran 45:18Used to connect the Prophet's revealed way with obedience and avoiding uninformed desires.
Quran 3:105Used to warn against dividing after clear evidence has arrived.
Quran 14:18Used to compare the deeds of disbelievers to scattered ashes and a mirage.
Quran 24:39Used to compare the deeds of disbelievers to scattered ashes and a mirage.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed through the Dhat Anwat episode to warn against copying pagan religious symbols.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed for the warning that later Muslims may follow earlier communities step by step.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“you should know this just google christmas tree in the bible how difficult is that christmas tree in the bible”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 24:14
“christians are throwing away from their homes we're picking it up from the trash and the dampsters we're bringing it to our home”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 26:31
“we have to make du'a for a few hour brothers and sisters some of them they have cancer stage 4 please put your hearts together inshallah and make du'a for these brothers”
NAMCC · North Austin, TX
Play from 28:19
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminded us that Islam is a complete way of life and that the Qur'an and the example of Prophet Muhammad guide us along the straight path. It encouraged us to be careful about copying religious customs without understanding where they come from, especially Christmas symbols and other traditions. The khateeb also reminded us that our neighbors and coworkers may be Christian, so we should know what we believe while treating people around us with awareness and respect. He closed by asking the congregation to pray for the sick, a bereaved family, and Muslims facing hardship, including in Gaza.

  1. What does following the Prophet as a role model look like at home?
  2. How can we learn where a tradition comes from before copying it?
  3. Who could we remember in our du'a this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

North Austin Muslim Community Center11900 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753Jumu'ah 12:15 PM · 1:30 PM · 2:30 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at NAMCC77 khutbahs
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