Change yourself to change the world
“We need to start with ourselves because trying to change the fabric of the world is impossible without changing the threads that make up the fabric.”
Corruption (fasad) has spread across the earth as a consequence of humanity's own deeds, and the only real solution is for each person to begin change with themselves by deepening their connection to Allah, fulfilling the obligatory duties, adding voluntary worship, and repenting, so as to become His wali whom He protects.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Opening praise and affirmation of Allah's existence through the fitrah
- Diagnosis: corruption permeates food, air, water, economics, and socio-political life
- Surah ar-Rum 30:41: fasad on land and sea is caused by human hands so people may return to obedience
- The solution: change the fabric of the world by changing its threads, start with yourself
- Hadith Qudsi of the wali: Allah declares war on those who oppose His friends; draw near through the faraid and nawafil
- Practical formula: pray on time, stay close to the masjid, keep company of true believers
- Urgency: America is fooling you; death is guaranteed; children must be connected to Allah
- Second part: hadith of Bilal, footsteps in paradise from praying two rak'ah after every wudu; character, not skin color, earns Paradise
In the khateeb's words
“turn back to what turn back to obedience the reason that the conditions live and exist in the world today is because of us either promoting it advancing it supporting it”
“I think we need to start with ourselves because trying to change the fabric of the world is impossible without changing the threads that make up the fabric”
“obligation lays the foundation the far lays the foundation but the namwafel embellishes it”
“melanin is not going to get you into paradise the blackest man here or the whitest man here none of your skin color or the curl of your hair”
For the dinner table
The khateeb talked about corruption being everywhere, in our food, air, politics, and daily life, and reminded us that Allah says corruption spreads because of what human hands have done. He said we cannot fix the whole world without first fixing ourselves, comparing the world to a fabric and each person to a thread. The solution he offered is to strengthen our connection to Allah by doing our obligations like prayer and zakat, then adding extra good deeds like night prayer and sunnah. He also stressed keeping good company and making sure our children grow up connected to Allah, reminding us that life is short and death is certain. He gave the example of Bilal, who hoped in Allah because he prayed after every wudu, showing that small, consistent deeds can carry great weight. His main call was for each of us to turn back to Allah now, starting with our own thread, so we become among those Allah loves and protects.
- What's one small good deed you could do every day, like Bilal praying after every wudu?
- Who are the friends or people who help you remember Allah, and who makes it harder?
- If you could change one thing about yourself to make the world a little better, what would it be?
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