Asalamu alaykum,
If you were asked to drop the Friday sermon, what topic would you choose? What topic do you feel is most important to your community and the people around you?
SDW
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.
Assalamu Alaikum,
I would use the general theme of “Don't complicate, simplify!” focusing on the relevancy, beauty and power of some the most basics fundamentals of our deen.
For a khutbah, I think it is important that the message is tailored for brothers and sisters who are only coming to the masjid once week, which may be the only salat they make in the week.
While it is important not to repeatedly cover the same “stick to the basics” khutbah, a well delivered khutbah that gives people tangible action items will be beneficial, insha'Allah.
Hatim
I have a few very key topics that I think my local community needs to seriously address:
-Unity does not mean Uniformity–Adab al-Ikhtilaf
-Understanding the complexity and beautiful subtleties of Hadith and Fiqh and how scholars have dealt with them
-Why are so many ppl fleeing the masjid? such as youth, converts, and other American-born Muslims?? (It's most often the harshness and narrow-mindedness of ppl who dominate the mosque, not to mention the fact that what is taught at the masjid is not easy to relate to–same old topics over and over)
A combo of two things:
1.If you're Muslim, you've got a mission to do. Don't be distracted with the temporary frills of this life, and focus towards working towards that mission of pleasing Allah and fulfilling the responsibilities of Islam.
2. How to take Islam and fuse it with your life. Islam and life are not two separate entities, they are joined together for Muslims. Don't take one or the other.
Salaam. Whatever it is it needs to be said from a saleem and heart. All the crazy arm waving and shouting is indicative of a lack of real inner presence with Allah.
I would address TURLY loving for your brother/sister what your love for yourself and understanding that “we have been made into tribes and nations to know one another”. I feel that we as a ummah have let our countries, tribes, and culture dominate our view points that we have forgotten the simple fact that we ARE ALL brothers and sisters in Islam. Until we understand and except each nation, tribe, culture… for who they are and except them as our fellow Muslim it will be hard to love for them what you love for yourself.
Two topics I would talk about
1) A few days ago, an old man at the local masjid was angry and yelling at another brother for giving the Athan inside of the mosque, saying it was Bidah and that in the prophet's time the athan was never given inside the mosque, and that he was a chicken for saying the athan inside the mosque and not outside. The topic of my khutbah would be incorporating relevance to timeframes as they relate to Islam, for example just because there were no cars in the prophet's time doesn't mean people should come to the masjid barefoot and on camels, and just because there were no microphones back then, that we cannot use them today etc.
2) The subprime mortgage crisis, the economic collapse which is essentially because of greed in all of the people involved, why Riba will never work as a foundation for a healthy economy, and why money is transient, here today and gone tomorrow and thus why we should be more worried about establishing our real estate in Jannnah (via practices of sunnah) rather than having the most expensivest/opulent homes here on earth
As Salaamu Alaikum,
I'd address the lack of total devotion to Allah AW that is seen in 90% of Muslims. Allah AW mentions in Surat at-Taubah, verse 111, that He has _purchased_ our lives, and in return we get paradise. This simple, fundamental equation seems to elude most. I see everywhere people stocking up for this life and forgetting that this life is a tool not an end in itself.
Another important issue is balance. Islam is not all cold spiritualism, and it is not all hot Jihad. Islam is a religion of moderation, we have to appreciate the beauty of Islam's spiritualism, and then work for Islam from here.
Sufis take the first step and freeze. Jihadist extremists jump over it.
Assalamu'alaikum! i think i would talk about the knowing the difference between what is custom and what is wajib and customary in Islam. I think the Islam community here in Singapore, mostly compromised of the Malay community, is very steeped in culture that we have often confused for customary Islamic ethics.
Syafiq
Wa 'alaiku salaam, wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu.
I think it is very important to talk about the prophecies about these times, and what to expect, going forward, and how to protect oneself from these fitan…I believe there are hadiths about the need for dinar and dirham coins instead of the paper money, and about the dust of riba touching one even if one is not involved.
Imran Hosein talks on YouTube about this and although he may interpret a few hadith in his own way, we really need to learn from his knowledge how the world is heading towards the NWO promised by GHWB with no money except blips on a computer and on a money card, and such, and its implications for muslims and Islam – like holding a hot coal in one's hand and such…
Death.
Marriages.
How we deal with each other (importance of mercy, compassion, forgiveness and sincerity).
How to overcome difficulty, sadness, etc.
Stories of the Awliya (to inspire)
Baraka Allahu feek
Being merciful to those who make mistakes, to those who are having difficulty, and to those who are not merciful in return.
most of the suggestions can be sorted into two major groups: a) realists and b) traditionalists. however based on practice the realists were either i) ummah-centric or ii) individually responsible and based on text the traditionalists could be put as, i) following examples and ii) using knowledge (akle). not to belittle the outliers such as death and NWO, the curve fell on balancing the dunya and akhirah, something most human beings are compelled by fitrah. there is an implicit acknowledgement of 'lacking some knowledge' in the affirmation of that gap, that some people mentioned. whether this gap is between two poles of a culture, language or experience, it is the state of suspension that people identify as problematic. i find this strange because the imam is expected to be grounded in a reality away from the problem and thus in a position to hold his vision constantly on the shifting problems. it may be an expectation that grew out of the way khutbah has come to emulate the speeches of successful project managers, working on a SWOT analysis and delivering inexpensive mergers or costly retrenchment strategies, based on the microeconomics of brotherhood. can we train our imams to deliver khutbah as a teacher develops relationship with his class? all year round? that means the imam must keep a company longer than that lasts with three embraces after the jummah prayer. it means that the imam needs to find out how the students in his community are paying their bills, how the parents are treating their children when they are loud, what do the women do when their husbands make them crazy at home.
High light the prevalance of nifaq (hypocrisy:saying one thing and doing the other) in ourselves, its deliterious effects both here and in here-after and how to get rid of it.
Assalaamu alaikum
I would say the basics of Islam, like the purpose of life/why we were created etc, tawheed… and linking those to intentions.
I'd talk about swearing and its ill effects. Too many youths have a lot of swears in their vocab and not enough adab. Seriously!
I think all the subjects suggested here are very important and most of them fall into the topic of balance: how to balance between this life and akhira.
I personnally would like to hear about:
– tell people not to preach and improve themselves for themselves, for the sake of Allah swt. actions are louder than words. how to make a sincere intention.
– not to judge people by their appearances and compare. “every fault you see in someone is a fault in you” (i think Ragheb al Isfahani said something of the sort)
i think overall it's about your realtion to the world, how you approach it to pleae Allah swt.
to truly know what we're capable of as humans, that we are vicegerents of Allah.
anyway it's a bit vague, but i think you get the idea…
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا إِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا
Bismillah
Al-salaamu 'alaikam
1) How difference of opionion is a mercy and it existed in the time of the sahaba.
2) Attachment to the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and his character.
3) Ill effects of sins of the tongue; e.g. argumentation and backbiting.
4) The shortness of this world and life; importance of using time; importance of studying Islam.
5) Importance of using youth for good works as when old these can be continued.
6) How to command good and forbid evil; how to give and take advice.
7) Our hopes and fears are of Allah.
Jazakham Allahu khayran
In need of your duas
If you could blend this topic and the one before by AM, that would be amazing.
I'd ask the question “I'm an average Muslim, does that mean I can't do anything for my religion?” Then I would answer it as no, and try to empower the “average Muslim” and dispel any thoughts that Islam is reserved for the “religious” and “elite” and that Allah, His Messenger, and the Deen they brought are looking out for everyone.
Including you.
Next topic: Coming To Terms With Naseeha: Giving and Receving
A khutbah that calls people back to Islam with love and mercy, not fear and warning. Fear and warning are definitely a part of our faith, but I think we have an imbalance in our discourse, so that people have fled Islam. So we need to call them back with love and mercy.
Asalamualykum
Where I live the vast majority of mosques deliver the khutbahs in Arabic, and most of them refuse to even accept that another language is acceptable, let alone much needed
So I think I would talk about Islamic iliteracy as a general topic with a little focus on the method and manner of the khutbah itself
I'd love to hear any suggestions from sw.com readers on arguments for a local language ie other than Arabic. I'm currently writing something on the topic so it would be a big help.
I think one of the biggest challenges we face in a secular society vs Muslim (or pagan) societies of the past is that people no longer have as strong a relationship or reliance on their creator (or deity of choice).
So I'd simply speak about our Creator, who He is, how great He is, and how He's there for us if we need Him, and how He wants the best for us. I'd emphasize communicating with Him more often, speaking with Him when times are good, and times are bad, and not go beyond encouraging du'aa to start.
Siraaj
Aqidah and how it was first learned for empowerment, identity and most importantly understanding the Creator, having faith in the Hereafter, loving and following the Prophets, noble morals and upright worship.
Secondly, linking the creed of the Prophets mentioned in the Qur'an to the social problems of the time; lut addressed perversion; Shuayb addressed financial corruption; Noh addressed idolatry; Esa addressed religious nepotism and so on.
Where is our place in the world today in solving the crises that face society? Have we taken tauhid and used it to solve and offer solutions for hyper capitalism, the environment and so on?
[you (sh. webb) have talked about this briefly before]
Jazakallakhyr
as salaamu alaikum bro. suhaib.
I've been mia for a bit, but – my khutbah topic would be about body odor. It is disgusting to be associated with a group of people who can not manage their personal hygiene. It continues onto the masjid and how people treat the masjid, because the odor greets you before a human being has the opportunity.
I do not care about cultural norms or whatever, this is not from islam to go around reeking, and rubbing foot fungus into the carpet..
Sorry for the rant, but enough is enough – its just plain embarrassing. It's summer now and I'm just plain old intolerant.
For real, I'm ready to start putting together gift baskets of travel deodorant, soap and foot powder and hand it out after Jummah and Magrib salaat……who's with me?
Wa aliekom Salam,
Is that question directed only to the brothers, cause they can give the khutbah on Fridays?
In any case, I think social issues are huge issues with the Ummah (i.e, dating, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, etc). Moreover, a lot of Muslims are business-owners and it would be helpful if there was direct, practical lessons of how to incorporate Islamic principles into everyday life. Too often I feel that khutbahs cover large topics which make it seem difficult to apply to one's life after leaving the Masjid on Friday. Personal stories and anecdotes are great and always memorable! 🙂
Stories of the Prophets(as), the lessons in each story and their relevance to our times and our lives. This could be an entire series. And you could base it on the relevant sections of Ibn Kathir's al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah
Honestly…the need for a distinct muslim identity. Assimilation should come second, if any place at all, to being muslim.
1-Broadening horizons and understanding of Muslims
2-Forgotten social roles in life (too many educational activities (conferences, intensives etc…) and less practical simple actions in communities)
3-Manners from cliches to reality
4-Historical figures from all over old and modern history (and not only scholars so no one has an excuse not to find role models)
I agree with the sister above here in the HUGE issues within the Ummah, of domestic violence and abuse. It's something that is rarely recognized or something taken seriously. It's something that is unfortunately swept under the rug as people see the abuse and violence as something not to be talked about in getting the person held responsible for the abuse, rather they reward the abuser by letting him continue it and get away with it, by telling the survivor of the abuses that it's not important enough.
We as Muslims need to say it is important enough, worth talking about without that person feeling that they have to go to someone else like a Non Muslim who will say something inferior to our belief as abuse is not accepted in any religion, shape or form, against islam, against human law. We should support people through this to help them through it and get out of that.
Assalamu Alaikum,
A group of brothers have started an excellent initiative to help address and bring awareness to this pressing issue, Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse…http://www.mmada.org/
Sign the pledge!
I agree with the sisters that suggested more khuttbahs dealing with social and family issues, such as domestic violence etc. In the process of explaining how a husband should be with his wife, we often forget the issue that the husbands are a certain way as a result of childhood abuse. They grow up to become what they have seen. They too need personal help and counselling from imams who are not going to turn around and say that women are inferior in their iman. It is imp to acknowledge the pain the man is going through and urge them to break the cycle here…also grandparents need to be addressed. They have to stop making unfair and unjust demands of their children through manipaulation and blackmail because that kind of mental abuse trickles down to the generations to come.
salaam!
exactly this!
what is our role as Muslims in the U.S. to our entire society?
http://generationintegration.wordpress.com/2009…
Assalamu Alaikum,
There is a story from our history of how a Muslim army was denied victory in their siege of a city by Allah for many days until they took a hard look at themselves and uncovered (and corrected) some flaws. The way the story goes, and I apologize for not having references, was that they uncovered that no one was brushing their teeth, and thus the order was sent throughout the camp to break out the miswaks. Upon seeing this, panic spread throughout the enemy as they thought the Muslims were sharpening their teeth to come and eat them, so they ran away (the victory of Allah – striking fear into the hearts of the enemy) and the Muslims were victorious in taking the city.
The point? As someone mentioned above, hygiene (and more below). Why? Aside from it being civilized, it is not unreasonable to expect that if an entire army was denied victory until they brushed their teeth, that being proper Muslim individuals is step one of earning any sort of respect for this Ummah.
This leads to, in my opinion, a major shift in how we think about ourselves and our deen. I know we hear the “start with yourself” and “Allah will not change a people until they change themselves” talk all the time, but what it really comes down to is: if Allah denied a Muslim army victory until they brushed their teeth, what would He deny the Ummah when its members do not even know how to properly perform the arkan of salah, the most important (as I understand) act of existence after Shahada?
I suspect that this subject may have been ignored for so long because either the Khutbah is not the proper place for this lesson or that imams lead the prayer so often that they may not be as exposed as the rest of us to the lack of knowledge of the arkan of salah (and I'm not talking about the things where there are differences of opinion, but of the “muttafaq 'alayh” stuff) of the majority of the people praying behind them. If it is the former reason, then I humbly submit the opinion that the problem is so widespread that it must be addressed at the highest (and most public) of levels. If it is the latter, then I hope that it comes up someday in the next international scholar gathering, and that each of us here takes the initiative to contact our own imams or learns the material and teaches it to others on our own.
Baraka'Lahu feek!
justice in all spheres of life; the home, society, nationally, internationally… with all creatures of Allah (animals, mankind)
could you clarify that?
the importance of not judging Muslim groups. whether they be salafi or suffi.
i know one person who refuses to listen to a shaykh because the shaykh said the suffi's are sunni.
i just personally think that is ridiculous.
i just noticed there is growing trend of judging other groups and basically saying people are kafir.
BismiLlah,
Wa 'Alaykum Assalam Shaykh,
Sister/Brother I would like to respectfully disagree with you. The Muslims nowadays, are now living in too much hope from Allah سبحانه و تعالى that He will forgive us and have mercy upon us. This type of behaviour is causing an imbalance as we are commanded (not sure or maybe recommended) to be in balance with fear and hope. Not only fear and not only hope.
As for the question the shaykh asked. Shaykh, it would depend if I was given some time to prepare for the topic or not. AlhamduLilah, Allah سبحانه و تعالى has blessed me to give khutab in my university. If I suddenly, without any notice have to give a khutbah, then I have some khutab on Sahabah رضي الله عنهم in my pocket and have memorised them so I am ready for such days alhamduLilah. But, if I am given time to think over the situation of our Muslims, then I chose a topic according to that. For example, I gave khutbah on not fearing anyone when obeying Allah سبحانه و تعالى because people do have tendency to fear Muslims or even non-Muslims when doing a commanded act. I even gave a khutbah on having husn adh-dhann (good suspicion) about your brother/sister, talking about aakhirah was my favourite khutbah I delivered and talking about Jannah when we needed to fund raise for orphans and talking about manhood. Insha'Allah my next khutbah is going to be on topic of hijab, both, for men and women.
And, indeed, Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows best.
-I would address the fact that the Imams need to educate themselves. Our Imam can’t speak English and is often suffering to get the basic words out. It is emberassing, and makes it horrible to sit for his lecture. We all end up sinning more, just by thinking “God, will he finish” since we don’t understand anything. I would certainly address that issue–
My other suggestions are
– Muslims in a workplace—what kind of example should we be setting? Are there some Islamic role models?
– Time managment for Muslims in the West. Life is very hard and it’s hard to balance everything. Suggestions would be great
Bottom line, we need lectures that address our everyday lives and how to balance them with Islam. None of us want to be bad Muslims, and sometimes balancing all these demands of every day life is discouraging.