Brotherhood requires showing up for funerals
“If you cannot plan to go once in three months to cemetery, the day you will die, who is going to leave his job for you?”
True Islamic brotherhood must be expressed through practical solidarity, especially attending funerals, rather than ethnic or national loyalty, and the local community is failing this duty.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Praise of Allah and the blessing of guidance to faith-based brotherhood
- Brotherhood transcends lineage, race, nation, and worldly interest
- Brotherhood demands practical solidarity: shared joys, visiting the sick, and attending funerals
- Quranic and hadith evidence for unity and mutual compassion
- Critique of the community's neglect of funeral attendance and ethnic favoritism at cemeteries
- Two recent local funerals, including a poorly attended woman's janazah and today's Abdul Latif janazah
- Call to attend Abdul Latif's funeral after Jumu'ah and to strengthen brotherhood through action
- Conclusion with the Prophet's grief over Ibrahim and supplication for the deceased
In the khateeb's words
“how strong are the bonds of faith-based brotherhood. Faith-based brotherhood. It is stronger than the ties of lineage, families, tribes, countries, regions, worldly interests and benefits.”
“If you cannot plan to go once in three months to cemetery, the day you will die, who is going to leave his job for you? Think about it.”
“We should not accept that as a community. Whenever we talk, we say we should show our political power during the Eid prayer. We should gather together and go to the stadium.”
“Tuesday, for men, there was just 11 men. 11 men. For janazah in Memphis, announced in the morning.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that guidance to Islam is one of Allah’s greatest blessings, and that believers are one family. This brotherhood is stronger than nationality, language, culture, or family background, so we should care for Muslims wherever they come from. We show that care through everyday actions such as returning greetings, visiting the sick, sharing in people’s happiness, and attending funerals. The khateeb especially urged the community not to neglect janazahs, because joining them supports grieving families, honors the deceased, and strengthens our faith. He also reminded us that grief is natural: our eyes may shed tears and our hearts may hurt, while we still speak in ways that please Allah.
- What is one way our family can help someone who is sick or grieving?
- What can we say when we feel sad but still want to trust Allah?
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