7:48 That our existence,…13:22 We must go out of our…17:22 So we have to own our…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 3, 2025.

Faith calls us to care for all

Pillars · John Ederer

“We must go out of our way to do things that make other people's lives better.”

The khateeb, at 13:22

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should reject tribalized political identities and embody Islam's mercy by caring for all people, educating themselves and others, and standing for truth.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Begins with gratitude to Allah and divine mercy as the basis of worship.
  2. Critiques engineered fear, political tribalism, and identity-based governance.
  3. Explains Bismillah and prophetic mercy as obligations to care for others.
  4. Uses the Golden Rule and Quranic teachings to extend kindness to all neighbors.
  5. Warns against Islamophobia, racism, suspicion, and inherited prejudice.
  6. Calls Muslims to educate themselves and their children and advocate Islamic values.
  7. Closes by defining jihad as striving to live and convey revealed truth with compassion.
Try this week
Judge political and social identities through Qur'an and Sunnah rather than tribal affiliation.
Prioritize struggling and disadvantaged people, and do things that improve others' lives.
Correct tribalized, racist, Islamophobic, or dehumanizing speech instead of remaining silent.
Study and teach the meaning of Bismillah, Islamic values, history, and law, especially to children.
Build relationships with non-Muslim neighbors, colleagues, and friends around dignity, religious freedom, and care.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 21Defines the Prophet's mission as compassion and kindness toward everyone and everything.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“That our existence, its whole reason why we're here is because He cares about us.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 7:48
“We must go out of our way to do things that make other people's lives better. We do that because of faith.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 13:22
“So we have to own our faith and rethink how we've been made to think and why we've been made to think in certain ways that are contradicting to Islam.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 17:22
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb taught that Islam begins with recognizing Allah's mercy and responding with mercy toward others. He warned us not to let political tribes, fear, or inherited prejudice decide how we see people. The Golden Rule means loving for others what we love for ourselves and treating Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors, coworkers, and friends with excellent character. We should learn our faith deeply, teach it to our children, speak up against dehumanizing ideas, and make people's lives better through practical care. The sermon closed by calling us to live and share Islam's truth with compassion, wisdom, and courage.

  1. What is one unfair assumption we should examine in ourselves?
  2. How can we learn and explain one Islamic value more clearly to others?
Where it was given

The masjid

Pillars Mosque3116 Johnston Oehler Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269Jumu'ah 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:10 PMKhateebJohn EdererMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Pillars156 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Civic engagement

All on this topic
If you don't utilize your vote, you have no power.13:23MIC · Malden, MA · Oct 24, 2026Voting is an amanah for justiceCLIC · Clear Lake, TX · Oct 31, 2026Vote patiently for justice and less harmThe only way to change policies is through elections, through voting.24:31Medical Center Islamic · Houston, TX · Oct 30, 2026Voting helps protect religious freedom