Muslims must lead through justice and example
“If you're not on the table, you are on the menu.”
The Muslim community earns the Qur’anic honor of being the best nation through God-conscious goodness, justice, and wise example, not material status, and should express that responsibility through moral conduct and civic participation.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Explains the story of Noah’s testimony and the Muslim ummah’s role as witnesses to previous nations.
- Uses Qur’anic verses to define the ummah’s distinction through justice, faith, enjoining good, and forbidding wrong.
- Distinguishes khayriyyah, goodness rooted in taqwa, from fadl, worldly advantage or added responsibility.
- Teaches that moral guidance should come through personal example, knowledge, persuasion, and wisdom rather than coercion.
- Responds to anti-Arab remarks, cites Arab scholars and prize winners, and urges Muslims to vote responsibly.
- Announces prayer-time changes, candidate meet-and-greet opportunities, community elections, and closes with supplication and prayer.
In the khateeb's words
“you should make some sense when you are making that call so they can believe it carry it as a faith something in their heart”
“if you're not on the table you are on the menu”
For the dinner table
The khutbah explains that being part of the Muslim ummah is an honor tied to goodness, justice, and faith, not money, power, or status. The speaker distinguishes having more of something from being better in Allah’s sight, reminding us that taqwa and character are what matter. He says that encouraging good and resisting wrong should happen through personal example, wisdom, and convincing explanations rather than force. He also urges Muslims to participate responsibly in midterm elections, especially when public speech targets the community, and reminds the congregation about upcoming prayer-time changes.
- Where have you seen someone show goodness through character rather than status or possessions?
- How can our family correct a wrong with wisdom and without acting like the police?
- What does responsible civic participation look like for us?
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