Correct wrongs without harming Muslims
“We should teach him not to find fault with him and blame him, but to help him to learn and understand and to practice the Quran and the Sunnah correctly.”
Muslims must purify themselves and follow the Quran and Sunnah while responsibly correcting wrongdoing and protecting communal unity.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Exhorts listeners to fear Allah and follow the Quran and Sunnah.
- Explains the verse about concerning oneself with oneself as a call to personal guidance.
- Warns against harming, spying on, blaming, or labeling fellow Muslims.
- Clarifies that self-concern does not excuse abandoning the duty to oppose wrongdoing.
- Uses historical reports and the boat parable to illustrate collective responsibility.
- Concludes with purification, cooperation in righteousness, and straightening prayer rows.
In the khateeb's words
“Don't do bad character with them. Don't hit and harm them. Don't find fault with them, meaning don't blame them for what they did in the past.”
“If they leave them to do what they like, all of them will be destroyed. But if they stop them from what they're doing, then they will be saved themselves and everybody will be saved altogether, collected by Imam al-Bukhari.”
“We should teach him not to find fault with him and blame him, but to help him to learn and understand and to practice the Quran and the Sunnah correctly.”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us to start with our own hearts: sincerity, obedience, and a life shaped by the Quran and Sunnah. We should not hurt other Muslims through gossip, blame, spying, or harsh character; when someone is struggling, we should teach and help rather than shame them. At the same time, caring for ourselves does not mean ignoring wrongdoing, because communities can be harmed when everyone stays silent. We should respond according to our ability, by action, words, or sincere rejection in the heart, and ask Allah for patience and improvement. The khutbah ended by reminding us that unity is something we practice together, even by standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer.
- When is it better to help someone learn instead of criticizing them?
- How can standing together in prayer remind us to care for one another?
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