Faith must become action and character
“Faith, my friends, is connected to actions, not just beliefs.”
Islam is not merely a label or belief but an ongoing submission to Allah expressed through faith, action, moral conduct, and open engagement with the Quran.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Distinguishes belief as acceptance from faith as enduring connection with Allah.
- Explains fitra as an innate disposition connecting people with Allah and one another.
- Argues that faith must appear through action and moral character.
- Traces how Islam shifted from an act of submission into a religious noun, historical identity, and contested adjective.
- Warns against takfir and claims that individuals or societies can own or define Islam.
- Concludes that open-minded engagement with the Quran reveals fresh meanings.
In the khateeb's words
“Belief urges us to accept. Faith urges us to connect. So you don't only just accept Allah. You connect with Him.”
“Faith does not depend on where you are. Faith depends on who you are. You can be in Makkah and be the perfect kafir.”
“Faith, my friends, is connected to actions, not just beliefs. Unfortunately, I find that we talk more about Islam than we do Islam.”
“The more we open our minds to the Quran, the more the Quran will open itself to us.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that faith is more than saying we believe; it means staying connected to Allah wherever we are. That connection should appear in our prayers, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, and everyday character. Our natural fitra connects us both to Allah and to other people, so we should speak beautifully and treat others with moral excellence. The speaker warns against acting as though anyone owns Islam or can casually declare others outside it. He closes by encouraging us to approach the Quran with open minds so its guidance can continue to reveal fresh meaning.
- What is one action that can show our faith this week?
- How can we speak beautifully to people we disagree with?
- What does reading the Quran with an open mind look like in our family?
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