Trust Allah and control your response
“What is in our control, though, is our own actions. What we do is in our control.”
In times of violence and uncertainty, Muslims should follow Ibrahim by relying on Allah, controlling their own conduct, representing Islam with ihsan, remaining steadfast, and using Arafah for worship.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah and grief over the San Diego mosque shooting.
- Connects Ibrahim's significance across Abrahamic faiths to protection of places of worship and moral accountability.
- Draws a lesson of reliance on Allah from Ibrahim's exile and Sarah's sacrifice.
- Emphasizes that Muslims cannot control others' hatred or guidance, but can control their own conduct and safety precautions.
- Calls for representing Islam with ihsan and remaining steadfast under intimidation, illustrated by Ibrahim and Bilal.
- Closes with the seed-planting principle and practical Arafah actions: fasting, dhikr, tawbah, istighfar, and extra worship.
In the khateeb's words
“What is in our control, though, is our own actions. What we do is in our control.”
“You can threaten me by stoning me. I leave. I'll leave the land. I'll leave the home. I won't leave Allah.”
“Make the intention to have some specific ibadah, extra ibadah. You don't let it pass like any other day.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that the blessed days of Dhul Hijjah are a time to remember Allah and reflect on Ibrahim's example. After the San Diego mosque shooting, the speaker urged us to respond with faith, safety, good character, and compassion rather than letting fear or hatred control us. We cannot control other people's words or hearts, but we can control our own actions and represent Islam with ihsan. Like Ibrahim and Bilal, we should stay firm in our relationship with Allah during hardship. On the day of Arafah, we should fast, increase dhikr, make tawbah and istighfar, and add extra worship.
- What is one action you can control when a difficult situation makes you feel helpless?
- How can we show ihsan so people experience the best of Islam through us?
- What extra worship would you like to do on Arafah?
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