Eid rewards remain near despite distance
“We are never far from the love and from the mercy of Allah.”
Eid al-Adha celebrates Allah’s nearness and mercy, and even when COVID prevents Hajj and communal gatherings, Muslims can access its rewards through prayer, remembrance, goodness, and sincere sacrifice.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Begins with praise, blessings on the Prophet, and an exhortation to remain Muslim and celebrate Eid al-Adha.
- Expands celebration to daily gratitude, waking, the five prayers, and Friday’s forgiveness.
- Addresses canceled Hajj and physical distancing during COVID, reassuring listeners that Allah remains near.
- Presents love, prayer, and post-Fajr remembrance as ways to gain spiritual closeness and Hajj-like reward.
- Encourages good deeds and starting beneficial traditions whose rewards continue through others.
- Connects Eid sacrifice to Ibrahim’s example and closes with Eid greetings and prayers for the community.
In the khateeb's words
“we live in changed times but we are never far from the love and from the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
“whoever prays fajr in a group then sits and remembers God remembers Allah until the sun has risen and then prays two raka' then for that person is the reward like that person who has done hajj and umrah”
“whoever starts a good tradition which is followed by others gets the reward similar to the rewards of whoever follows that good tradition and nothing is diminished from their rewards”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that Eid al-Adha celebrates Allah’s greatness and that Muslims have reasons to praise Him every day. Even though COVID prevented many people from making Hajj and kept the community physically distant, Allah remains close and merciful wherever we are. Prayer, remembrance after Fajr, and good deeds are ways to seek Allah’s reward. Ibrahim’s sacrifice teaches that a sincere act for Allah can bless people we may never meet. We should enjoy Eid and remember the community in our du'a.
- What is one everyday blessing you can celebrate more intentionally?
- What good habit could you start that might help someone else?
- What does sacrifice for Allah mean in your life?
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