4:54 The reality is, we…5:11 There is a golden age…14:31 The companions were so…29:33 we are supposed to…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 11, 2026.

A sincere Islam serves its neighbors

MIIC · Saad Omar

“We are supposed to take care of people and our neighbors.”

The khateeb, at 29:33

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A sincere, balanced Islam joins unwavering submission to Allah, inner purification, and compassionate service to others, enabling Muslims to respond to tragedy without shame and embody mercy in their neighborhoods.

The khutbah in 4 steps

  1. Opens by urging taqwa, gratitude for Islam, and hope for reunion in Paradise.
  2. Mourns 9/11 and other innocent deaths while rejecting collective Muslim guilt or apologetic attitudes.
  3. Argues that Islam itself does not wax and wane; Muslims rise or fall by closeness to faith.
  4. Concludes with a practical call to know, serve, and build wise relationships with neighbors.
Try this week
Follow a bad deed with a good deed and seek repentance.
Examine personal faults before judging or condemning others.
Learn who your closest neighbors are and build meaningful relationships with them using wisdom and safety.
Offer sincere care through practical gestures such as shared food or a neighborhood gathering, without treating it merely as proselytizing.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 36Used to envision believers receiving peace and entering Paradise.
Surah 107Connects neglect of the poor, orphans, needy people, and small kindnesses with denial of the deen and judgment.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The reality is, we don't have to make Islam look like anything. The truth of our deen speaks for itself.”
MIIC · Bethesda, MD
Play from 4:54
“There is a golden age and there is a dark age of Muslims. And it has to do directly with how close or distant we are from our deen, from Islam.”
MIIC · Bethesda, MD
Play from 5:11
“The companions were so busy asking Allah for repentance for their own mistakes. They didn't have energy to cancel other people.”
MIIC · Bethesda, MD
Play from 14:31
“we are supposed to take care of people and our neighbors literally have a right”
MIIC · Bethesda, MD
Play from 29:33
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us to treasure our faith and to grieve innocent lives lost without carrying guilt for violence we did not commit. The khateeb described a balanced Muslim life through three connected parts: heaven, heart, and humanity. That means staying connected to Allah, working on our own hearts with humility and repentance, and treating people with kindness. He reminded us that growing in faith should make us more merciful and gentle, including toward people who come to the masjid. He encouraged us to get to know our neighbors and offer small kindnesses because caring for them is part of our responsibility.

  1. When someone makes a mistake, how could we help without making them feel small?
  2. What helps you remember Allah and treat people more gently?
Where it was given

The masjid

Maqaame Ibrahim Islamic Center6601 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817Jumu'ah Friday at 1:30 PMKhateebSaad OmarMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at MIIC18 khutbahs
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