Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 16, 2026.
A spiritual Hajj for those who cannot afford it
“If you cannot physically do hajj, do hajj through the words and ayat of Surah Al-Hajj.”
In one sentence
Surah al-Hajj offers those who cannot afford the physical Hajj a spiritual Hajj through its ayat, teaching that true success comes from striving (jihad) for Allah through worship, sacrifice, and standing for justice, including for Palestine.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Introduction: Surah al-Hajj as a substitute journey for those unable to perform physical Hajj
- Uniqueness of Surah al-Hajj: revealed in Mecca and Medina, night and day, and containing two prostrations of recitation (sajdat al-tilawah)
- The surah's opening on the Day of Resurrection and people who worship Allah 'on a thin line' inconsistently
- The closing command: bow, prostrate, worship, and do good so that you may succeed (la'allakum tuflihun)
- 'Wajahidu fi Allahi haqqa jihadih', Hajj's difficulty is deliberate; hardship builds attachment to Allah; critique of VIP Hajj packages
- Hajj costs ~$50,000 per couple; those unable can do Hajj through the ayat of Surah al-Hajj, but those who can should still save and go
- Second khutbah: applying 'Udhina lilladhina yuqataloon' to Palestine on the 78th anniversary of the Nakba; invitation to Victoria Park gathering
- Announcements: qurbani/udhiyah program, parenting workshop, affordable Umrah trips, Dhul-Hijjah fasting, dua for sick sister
Try this week
Study and do tadabbur of Surah al-Hajj as a spiritual Hajj if you cannot afford the physical one
Save money and go for Hajj if you are able rather than settling for substitutes
Attend the Palestine remembrance gathering at Victoria Park tonight from 7 to 9 o'clock
Give your udhiyah/qurbani money through the partner organization and Islamic Relief outside the masjid
Attend the parenting workshop on the 24th of this month at 2:30
Fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah (likely starting Monday) as a sunnah once the moon is confirmed
Talk to the imam about the more affordable Umrah group trips in July and August
Make dua for sister Camila, who is in hospital after a mild stroke
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 22Central text: presented as a means of performing a spiritual Hajj through study and tadabbur when physical Hajj is unaffordable
Quran 22:78Used to argue that striving through difficulty is the essence of faith and that Allah is the ultimate supporter
Quran 22:39-41Applied to the struggle for Palestine and the duty to stand against oppression
Quran 22:77Used to argue worship must translate into good deeds to attain true success (falah)
Surah 28Cited to warn against envying the wealthy; true enjoyment is in Jannah
Quran 9:103Cited on charity purifying wealth, supporting the call to do good beyond ritual worship
Quran 29:45Used to argue prayer must restrain wrongdoing, not be mechanical
Quran 2:143Cited on the Prophet being a witness over the ummah and the ummah witnessing over people
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Wallahi I tell you, the most enjoyable slumber, sleep, is on the ground of Muzdalifah.”
“I wish that there's no such thing as a VIP Hajj. Unfortunately, there is.”
“Therefore, if you cannot physically do hajj, do hajj through the words and ayat of Surah Al-Hajj,”
“we still remember and we are still struggling and doing the jihad that Allah called for”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today the khateeb taught us about Surah Al-Hajj and reminded us that Hajj is more than just a physical trip. He said faith should be steady, not only strong when life is easy and then disappearing when life gets hard. He also explained that true Hajj means going through difficulty with patience, and that everyone should be treated equally, without special VIP treatment. If someone cannot go for Hajj, they can still journey through the Quran by studying Surah Al-Hajj. Finally, he encouraged us to stand up for justice, especially for Palestine, and to care for those less fortunate through qurbani and prayer.
- What is one hard thing you did this week that made you feel closer to Allah?
- Why do you think Allah wants us to keep praying even when we feel sad or upset?
- How can our family stand up for someone who is being treated unfairly?
Keep listening
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