Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 24, 2026.
Speak up against wrongdoing and injustice
“What should you be answering Allah if you die tonight?”
In one sentence
The Quranic story of the Sabbath fish teaches Muslims to resist wrongdoing, advise others toward good, and actively support justice rather than remain passive.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Begins with taqwa as a source of relief and unexpected provision.
- Explains the Sabbath-fish test and the people's attempt to evade Allah's command.
- Distinguishes those who transgress, those who warn against wrongdoing, and passive bystanders.
- Challenges listeners to identify their own group and take responsibility against injustice and oppression.
- Concludes with supplications for Islam, Gaza, Sudan, and oppressed people everywhere.
Try this week
Reflect on which of the three groups in the story you belong to.
Speak up when witnessing wrongdoing and advise others toward good.
Support poor and oppressed people and oppose corruption as much as possible.
Act collectively against injustice instead of assuming Allah will solve everything without your participation.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 65Taqwa brings a way out and provision from unexpected sources.
Quran 7:163-166The Sabbath-fish story illustrates testing, disobedience, warning wrongdoers, and differing outcomes.
Quran 22:40Allah's repelling people through others supports active resistance to destruction and wrongdoing.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“If you see anything bad, your job to always say, no, no, no, no. We're not supposed to do this.”
“The Quran for us to learn and applicate it and apply it to ourselves because it's applicable to our daily life.”
“But this is not the issue. We're not sitting back and say Allah will solve it. No.”
“What should you be answering Allah if you die tonight and He asks you Muhammad Ali, Khalil, Ibrahim what you have done?”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb used the Quran's story of people who were forbidden to fish on Saturday to teach that Allah tests us and that we should not look for loopholes around what is right. He described three groups: people who did wrong, people who warned them, and people who stayed passive, then asked us to decide where we stand. He urged us to speak against wrong and support people facing oppression, while remembering that Allah can bring help from unexpected places. We can discuss one honest action we can take this week.
- Which of the three groups in the story do you think is hardest to avoid, and why?
- What is one respectful way we can speak up when something is wrong?
- Where might we notice Allah's help arriving from an unexpected place?
Keep listening
More on Civic engagement
If you don't utilize your vote, you have no power.13:23MIC · Malden, MA · Oct 24, 2026Voting is an amanah for justice
CLIC · Clear Lake, TX · Oct 31, 2026Vote patiently for justice and less harm
The only way to change policies is through elections, through voting.24:31Medical Center Islamic · Houston, TX · Oct 30, 2026Voting helps protect religious freedom