19:51 there is not such a…24:44 we are never going to…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 25, 2026.

Muslims should engage in civic life

Medical Center Islamic · Basem Hamid

“We are never going to be silent.”

The khateeb, at 24:44

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should actively participate in civic and political life through informed voting, advocacy, donations, and public service to promote the common good and prevent harm.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Opens with God-consciousness and accountability before Allah.
  2. Uses the ship parable and Quranic principles to argue that society must restrain harmful actions and policies.
  3. Urges Muslims to engage with society patiently rather than remain isolated or passive.
  4. Connects civic participation with enjoining good and preventing harm.
  5. Calls Houston Muslims to communicate with candidates, vote, and choose the best available candidate through informed judgment.
  6. Encourages donations, advocacy, voter mobilization, and seeking public office while maintaining hope and persistence.
  7. Closes with prayers for guidance, forgiveness, and relief for oppressed people.
Try this week
Communicate with candidates and present the community’s concerns.
Study candidates and vote for the best available option based on informed judgment.
Donate to campaigns when appropriate, including considering the speaker’s claim about zakat eligibility.
Explain Muslim and humanitarian concerns through speech and advocacy.
Encourage family and community members to vote, and vote personally.
Consider running for positions such as school board or city council.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:251Used to support the idea that people must check one another to prevent societal corruption.
Quran 3:110Used to connect civic action with enjoining good and preventing harm.
Quran 2:283Used to frame voting as testimony that should not be concealed.
Quran 12:81Used to emphasize judging and testifying according to the best available knowledge.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“there is not such a thing called an ideal candidate anywhere on earth there are people who are better than others more beneficial than others closer to us than others”
Medical Center Islamic · Houston, TX
Play from 19:51
“we are never going to be silent we're never going to have the attitude of sitting idle and watching things we have to be proactive till the last breath that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has granted us”
Medical Center Islamic · Houston, TX
Play from 24:44
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that society is like a shared ship, so everyone has a responsibility to prevent harm and help steer it well. Muslims should not withdraw from civic life simply because participation can be difficult or uncomfortable. We can learn about candidates, vote thoughtfully, communicate our concerns, support worthy causes, encourage others, and even seek public office. Since no candidate is perfect, we should choose the person we believe is most beneficial after making our best effort to learn. The sermon ends by reminding us to keep acting with hope and faith until our last breath.

  1. What does it mean to be “at the table” in our community?
  2. Which community issue would you want a leader to understand better?
  3. How can our family participate constructively in civic life?
Where it was given

The masjid

Medical Center Islamic Society2222 Mansard St, Houston, TX 77054Jumu'ah "Jumuah 1:30 PM"KhateebBasem HamidMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Medical Center Islamic17 khutbahs
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