4:04 You don't just have…10:29 Most importantly,…10:40 I am on a mission to…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Teach children to think about faith

IAGD · Muhammad bin Arshad

“Quran teaches us how to think.”

The khateeb, at 10:29

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should honor Ibrahim’s legacy by cultivating evidence-seeking, thoughtful faith in themselves and their children through Qur’an-centered learning rather than inherited ritual alone.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Reframes Ibrahim’s sacrifices as the result of his questioning and thought process.
  2. Presents Ibrahim as someone who challenged inherited beliefs and sought evidence.
  3. Distinguishes sincere questions aimed at understanding from evasive or combative questioning.
  4. Warns that ritual-only religious education can leave young people disconnected from faith.
  5. Calls for Qur’an-centered learning that develops critical thinking and announces community programs.
  6. Closes with appeals for unity, perseverance, and prayers for community members and the oppressed.
Try this week
Ask questions about Islam respectfully until the truth becomes better understood.
Seek knowledgeable people when religious matters are unclear.
Teach children why they are Muslim, not only how to perform religious rituals.
Return to Qur’an learning that develops reflection and critical thinking.
Visit the community’s emails, website, and social media, then register yourself and your children for the learning programs.
Make dua for Dr. Shah’s recovery, Bilal’s afterlife, and patience for Bilal’s family.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Contrasts Ibrahim’s sincere questioning with Banu Israel’s obstructive questions about the cow.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You don't just have the right to ask, you have the responsibility to ask.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 4:04
“Most importantly, Quran teaches us how to think. And this is what we need to revive in our ummah.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 10:29
“I am on a mission to transform this beautiful masjid into a place of knowledge and learning and critical thinking and meaningful exploration.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 10:40
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb invited us to honor Ibrahim’s legacy by thinking deeply and asking sincere questions about our faith. He explained that questions should help us understand the truth, rather than win arguments or show that we know more than someone else. He urged parents to help children understand Islam for themselves, so their faith has roots beyond family expectations. He also encouraged us to go beyond memorizing and reciting the Quran by reflecting on what it teaches us about our choices and the world around us. By learning together and making room for respectful questions, our families and community can help nurture that understanding.

  1. What is a question about Islam you would like us to explore together?
  2. What could help you feel comfortable asking a question when something does not make sense?
  3. What is something you have learned from the Quran that could guide a choice this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

IAGD Masjid879 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307Jumu'ah Three Jumu'ahs · 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PMKhateebMuhammad bin ArshadMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IAGD78 khutbahs
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