True freedom means submitting to Allah and opposing injustice
“My freedom is in submission to the one who created me.”
The khutbah argues that true freedom is submission to Allah, and Muslims in America should appreciate religious liberty while challenging injustice and seeking freedom and dignity for everyone.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Connects Independence Day with the freedom themes of the 10th of Muharram.
- Defines Islamic freedom as liberation from false gods, desires, and compulsion through submission to Allah.
- Extends freedom as a universal right, using American founding ideals to question double standards toward Gaza and Palestine.
- Highlights the contradiction between American liberty rhetoric and the history of slavery through Frederick Douglass.
- Urges Muslims to appreciate America's freedoms while speaking against discrimination, oppression, and harmful foreign policies.
- Encourages fasting around Ashura and learning from Karbala to reject political oppression and justified wrongdoing.
In the khateeb's words
“My freedom is in submission to the one who created me, to my Lord, to my sustainer, to my Rabb, to my cherisher. That is the ultimate freedom.”
“Freedom does not mean you follow your desires. Freedom means you have the moral obligation to make the wisest choice.”
“There's much to love, but there's also much to criticize. And there's work to be done.”
For the dinner table
Shaykh Yasir Qadhi connected the Fourth of July and Muharram through the theme of freedom. He explained that freedom in Islam means choosing to worship Allah and making wise choices instead of simply following every desire. He urged listeners to care about freedom and dignity for all people, including Palestinians. He encouraged Muslims in America to thank Allah for the ability to worship and speak openly, while working to address injustice. Reflecting on Musa's deliverance and the tragedy of Karbala, he encouraged fasting in Muharram and reminded listeners not to excuse oppression against innocent people.
- What is one choice this week where doing the right thing might be different from doing whatever you feel like?
- What freedom are you thankful for, and how could you use it to help someone?
- How could you respond fairly if a friend treated someone else badly?
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