The sacred days should shape lifelong character
“Do not normalize speaking incorrectly or immorally.”
The sacred ten days of Dhul-Hijjah should inspire not only increased prayer, Quran, and fasting but lifelong character through family care, truthful speech, hospitality, charity, and helping people in calamity.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, fasting on Arafah, and the arrival of Hajj pilgrims.
- Uses Khadijah's description of the Prophet to identify five character traits that bring honor and divine protection.
- Explains family kindness through Ibrahim's respectful speech toward his father and respectful conduct within families.
- Calls listeners to truthful speech, self-accountability, repentance, and rejecting immoral or careless language.
- Encourages generosity toward guests and communal eating, then connects charity and calamity relief with trust in Allah.
- Recaps the five practices and closes with prayers for pilgrims, sufferers, forgiveness, and lifelong consistency.
In the khateeb's words
“be good to your family in all times, even in times of hardship.”
“Do not normalize speaking incorrectly or immorally. This is the second piece of advice.”
“You put your time and effort for another person. And Allah through that opens doors that are unimaginable.”
“We continue them in the first ten days of the Hijah. And then we continue them for the rest of our lives.”
For the dinner table
The sermon teaches that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special opportunity for worship and personal change. Alongside prayer, Quran, and fasting, we should practice being good to family, truthful in speech, generous to guests, helpful to the poor, and supportive of people facing calamity. These actions are not separate from worship; they can open the door to greater blessing and obedience. We should begin during these sacred days and continue these habits throughout our lives. The sermon closes by asking Allah to accept the Hajj of pilgrims, forgive us, and help suffering people around the world.
- Which of the five practices would be easiest for you to start this week?
- How can we make a guest feel welcome in our home?
- When have you seen kindness or charity bring an unexpected blessing?
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