Imam Suhaib Webb discusses the relevance of the historical events in Egypt and the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him). This khutbah took place at ICNYU on February 4th, 2011.
About the author
Suhaib Webb
Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer. His work bridges classical and contemporary Islamic thought, addressing issues of cultural, social and political relevance to Muslims in the West. After converting to Islam in 1992, Webb left his career in the music industry to pursue his passion in education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received intensive private training in the Islamic Sciences under a renowned Muslim Scholar of Senegalese descent. Webb was hired as the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, where he gave khutbas (sermons), taught religious classes, and provided counselling to families and young people; he also served as an Imam and resident scholar in communities across the U.S.
From 2004-2010, Suhaib Webb studied at the world’s preeminent Islamic institution of learning, Al-Azhar University, in the College of Shari`ah. During this time, after several years of studying the Arabic Language and the Islamic legal tradition, he also served as the head of the English Translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah.
Outside of his studies at Al-Azhar, Suhaib Webb completed the memorization of the Quran in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He has been granted numerous traditional teaching licenses (ijazat), adhering to centuries-old Islamic scholarly practice of ensuring the highest standards of scholarship. Webb was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in 2010.
Alhamdulillah
I find this topic very relavent and much needed in our community. Insha allah may all of us learn and benifit friom it like I did. Thank you
As Salamu Alaikum Imam Suahib,
Jazak Allahu khairan for the lecture. May Allah reward you. I actually live in New York and I wish I had been able to attend the lecture at ICNYU.
I have a question though. I’m not trying to begin an argument online, I’m not after criticizing someone’s mathhab or anything like that–I would just like some clarification.
I was told that what happened in Egypt was against the Sunnah, and I was shown this hadith:
udaifah (RA) reported, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “There will come leaders who will not follow my guidance nor my Sunnah. There will be amongst them men, who will have hearts of devils and the bodies of humans” Hudaifah asked, “What shall I do O Messenger of Allah, if I reach that?” He replied: “You should hear and obey the ruler, even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth. Then still hear and obey” [Muslim 1847]
There’s no doubt Mubarak and his regime were evil–I’ve lived in Arab countries and I know what oppression feels like, but I am confused. Isn’t this hadith and others commanding us to obey our Muslim rulers explicit?
I hope I can receive a response and jazak Allahu khairan.
First of all, I’m not a scholar. This is my personal opinion. In your quoted text “You should hear and obey the ruler”, I believe the ruler means the khalifa. Today, there is no Khalifa for the entire Muslim world, rather the Muslim lands are divided into countries, many of which are ruled by dictators. If the ummah had one khalifa, then it would have been an obligation to “hear and obey” the khalifa even if he has left the Sunnah.
As salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, Imam Suhaib
May Allah continue to bless, guide and reward you, my brother. A truly inspiring khutba (The birth of the Prophet and the End of Tyranny). Many things you said brought tears to my eyes and a heaviness to my heart. I pray that Allah will continue to inspire you. And know that you, by the grace of Allah, provide inspiration to others.
I am one of those brothers who loves what English conveys and believe its possible to actually see Islam in living HD color (not just black and white) and at warp (not dial-up) speed in English. Your khutba (the English of it) is a perfect example of that.
Imam,
JazakAllahu lakum alf alf khair. this was a great khutbah as always. I will use it while I prepare for mine this weekend. May Allah except your efforts.
MashaAllah! Shaykh, you truly addressed the core issues of scholarship in the West. Living today vs. living the past. Barakallahu fik.
JazakAllahu Khayrun. Ameen to the duas. Masryoon ahsan naas.