20170224-2nd Khutba-Shaykh Aseel Khan

Opening — Quranic Recitation and Praise

Praise be to Allah, Praise be to Allah, Who sent down to His servant the Book, and did not make it crooked, but straight, that He may warn of a severe punishment from Himself. And He gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they shall have a good reward, abiding therein forever. And He warns those who say, Allah has taken His son.

And we bear witness that there is no god but Allah, One, and there is none like unto Him. And we bear witness that our Master Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, His Beloved and His Friend.

And you were on the edge of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His Signs, that you may be guided.

Gratitude for the Blessing of Islam

All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher and the Sustainer of the Worlds. May His choicest blessings and salutations be upon mine and yours, the Universal Rasool. We must be thankful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, for blessing us with the greatest ni'mah, which is the ni'mah of Islam, and creating us among the Ummah of Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The companions used to get together, and they used to thank Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, for the blessings of Islam.

So Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, has made us Muslim. We are thankful. We are grateful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. May Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, preserve our Iman, and may Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, give us tawfiq to follow the teachings of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, in our life.

Muslims in America — A History of Migration and Preservation

We live in a great country, not by force, but by choice. Muslims migrated to this part of the world. If we look at the history, in the early 1900s, 1920s, or 1930s, the Muslims came to this part of the world in waves. The early wave in the 1900s, then later on 1920, then 1930, then after that the 1960s and 70s.

But when we look at those who came in the early 1900s, 1920s, or 1930s, what happened to them? They could not preserve their identity. They melted in the melting pot. And later on, from their generation, barely did they preserve their religion, barely did they preserve their culture.

But after 1960, those who came — when we look at them, they have preserved. The reason was that in the beginning, they did not have Islamic centers, they did not have masajid, or learning centers, or Islamic institutions — they did not know where to go. And with the passage of time, and without having knowledge or without having facilities, they could not preserve their deen.

So we have to be thankful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, that later on we have these facilities — we have Islamic centers, learning institutions — and because of that, alhamdulillah, Muslims in the United States, or in North America, are in the millions. And alhamdulillah, according to one survey, the fastest growing religion in the world is Islam.

The Muslim Contribution to the Rise of America

Another fact in history — if you study American History 103 or 104. I once had the experience of being a student of United States American history. One of our professors in New York, George Stevens, had been teaching American history for more than 40 years. He shared with us: "You know what, America developed and became a superpower because of Muslims." I said, "How?"

As we know, there is something called the Dark Ages. In encyclopedias, it is mentioned very clearly that when Europe was considered to be in a dark age, the Muslims were not considered to be in a dark age — they were in light. The Muslims' legacy in Spain is well preserved.

One of the princes from Portugal — known as Prince Henry — was very much impressed by the Muslims' development and Muslim advancement in Spain. He picked up some ideas and implemented some of those ideas in the education system in Portugal. Cutting the story short — you should check American history — you will find out that later on, when settlers started coming into the United States, they tried to implement those same ideas, and they preserved and shifted these ideas into the United States.

Around 1958, there was an expansion of America — geographical expansion, demographic expansion, and educational expansion. Those ideas were implemented. And because of Muslims' advancement, because of the contributions Muslims made in knowledge, their ideas were implemented, and because of that, America became a superpower.

Now Muslims in the United States, alhamdulillah, are contributing in different fields of life — in the medical field, in IT, in business, in law, as professors, as doctors. Name it. They are contributing. Alhamdulillah. And the majority of us are immigrants. We migrated from the subcontinent, or from the Middle East, or from other parts of the world. By choice, not by force.

Darul Aman — Our Obligations Where We Live

Our primary goal — whether we believe it or not, whether we agree or disagree — was prosperity: economic prosperity, economic growth, to make our life better, to make our children's lives better. On one hand, we enjoy living here. This is called Darul Aman — it is not Darul Harb. By definition, Darul Harb is when your life is not secure, your property is not secure, and you cannot practice your religion freely. But when our life is secure, our property is secure, and we practice our religion freely without any hesitation or restrictions — then we live in Darul Aman.

And we have certain obligations to fulfill. Economic growth and prosperity will come in a package. Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says that whatever is living on this earth, Allah took responsibility to provide the sustenance. We are the ones who distributed and divided their ma'isha according to Allah's will. So Allah will provide us sustenance — whether we live here or anywhere in the world.

But when we live here and enjoy our freedom — freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, and the various freedoms we experience — at the same time we have obligations and responsibilities to fulfill. We have to contribute. And the most important contribution is a spiritual contribution. We have to contribute spiritually and morally. At the same time, we have to extend our helping hand in civic services. These are our responsibilities that we are lacking in.

The Central Importance of Moral Conduct — Akhlaqiyat

One of the things that we are lacking in is called moral conduct — akhlaqiyat. If we compare ourselves — we who live here — and compare to the Muslim world: why did we choose to live here? Because of moral conduct. Our akhlaqiyat in the Muslim world are at a minimum. And we enjoy living here not just because we earn more money, but because of the system — because of equality, because of other prosperities. So akhlaq is very important.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam, Islam is a way of life. Islam is not only a bunch of rituals — it is a way of life. Alhamdulillah, when we perform salah, we have to. We give zakah, we have to. We fast in the month of Ramadan. If we do not fulfill these obligations, there will be consequences.

But before salah became fard, before fasting in the month of Ramadan became fard, before hajj was fard — for example, salah became fard when? When the Prophet ﷺ went on Mi'raj, after the 10th year of the announcement of nubuwwah. And zakah became fard after migration, after hijrah. Fasting in the month of Ramadan became fard after migration. And hajj became fard in the 9th year of hijri. And the Rasool ﷺ performed it after it became fard only once, and that was considered the first and the last hajj.

So when we look at these obligations — salah became fard after the 10th year of nubuwwah, and sawm and zakah became fard after migration — what was the preaching in the beginning? It was akhlaqiyat. Moral conduct. The Prophet ﷺ taught human beings how to live life. And that is what we are lacking today — whether we live in this part of the world, or in the Muslim world, or anywhere in the world. These are the principles and values that we must not forget.

And when we live in this country, salah, fasting, zakah, hajj — this is individual, this is for me. But how do I deal with others? That is the question. How do I help and how do I extend my helping hand to my neighbors? That is the question.

Quranic Guidance on Relating to People of Other Faiths

The majority of the people in this country are Christians. They may be Jews, or atheists, or agnostic, or they may belong to any other religion. But the majority of the people are Christians. And in the Quran, Allah says that those closest to you in affection and love are those who say, "We are Christians." This is in the Quran.

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, when he observed that the Muslims — the handful of people in Mecca — their lives became so narrow, allowed them to migrate to Abyssinia, to Habesha. And the Negus — the Najashi — he was not Muslim; he was Christian. And the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, felt that the Muslims were secure. The Muslims themselves stated that when they lived with the Najashi in Abyssinia and Habesha, they were feeling secure and they performed their ibadat freely, and they never felt any kind of hatred. So the Muslims migrated to a Christian country.

Then, Allah says in the Quran that when we interact with the people of scripture, we should not argue with them but in a good way. Whenever you speak to them and address them, say: "We believe what has been revealed to us and we believe what has been revealed to you. Our Ilah and your Ilah is the same — is one. And we all submit to the will of Allah; we are all Muslims, we all submit." How you speak to them, how you address them — never make fun of them, do not disgrace them, do not let them down. These are the teachings of the Quran.

Do not insult those who worship other than Allah, for in return, without having any knowledge, they will use indecent language about Allah. Allah has decorated for everyone — for individuals and for groups — whatever they have been practicing. But Allah will let you know, when we return to Him, who was guided and who had gone astray. But we have been asked: do not be insulting, do not use indecent language.

All people are not alike from among the Ahl al-Kitab — the people of scripture. There is a group of people who stand on the right, who stand for the right, who support truth and have the courage to say it. So everyone is not the same.

Perhaps Allah will create love in the hearts of those whom you take as your enemies. Because Allah has power over all things.

Allah did not forbid you from dealing justly with those who did not fight you in the matter of your deen, and those who did not drive you away from your homes. Allah loves those who deal justly. The justice must be practiced all the time.

The Rights of Neighbors

We have been asked how we interact with people, how we offer our services to them, and especially to our neighbors. As the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said, your neighbor has rights upon you — whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim.

Also, a case was once presented: a lady — it could be a man, a brother, a sister, anyone — was practicing Islam. They were praying, fasting, performing hajj, making extra tasbeehat and extra ibadat, but their neighbors were not happy. So the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said they will enter into Hellfire. Apparently they are practicing Islam, they are making more ibadat, but the neighbors are not happy — and so they enter into Hellfire. But if someone does the minimum — fulfills their obligations and responsibilities — and their neighbors are happy, they may enter into Jannah. SubhanAllah.

How many of us have introduced ourselves to our neighbors?

Looking Inward — Our Shortcomings and Our Path Forward

Yes, we have concern. We are worried about our future. What will happen to us? What will happen to our generation, to our children, our offspring? We worry. But most of the time, when something afflicts our life, when we pass through tough times and face challenges, instead of rectifying ourselves and looking at our own lackings and shortcomings, we criticize others. But at the same time, when we criticize others, we must look at ourselves — at the things we are lacking in, the shortcomings we need to fulfill.

Our akhlaqiyat — our moral conduct — is the most important thing. We must become productive members of society. If we extend our hands to our neighbors, our fellow human beings, our co-workers, and we do our job, then leave the rest to Allah. We do not have to worry. Because sometimes you never know — apparently you may dislike something that could actually be better for you. You dislike certain things, but in fact they are better for you.

So the circumstances and situations we may face can become a means and a source to increase our Iman, to increase our a'mal, or to improve our moral conduct and our mu'amalat. This is an opportunity for us. Our Iman will become stronger than before. Our a'mal will become more consistent. Our akhlaqiyat and mu'amalat will get better than before. Then this is a khair — a goodness — from Allah.

We must be thankful to Allah. But if we have lackings and shortcomings, and when we are accused we always contradict and criticize others, then we have to look at ourselves. Have I done my job or not?

A Call to Action — The "Neighbor Day" Idea

My brothers and sisters in Islam, as we have many celebrations — President's Day, Labor Day, Valentine's Day, this day, that day — if Muslims, not because we are scared, not because we are frightened, but because of the teachings of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, if we were to have a "Neighbor Day" — where at a selected time we greet our neighbors, move around, introduce ourselves, offer our services, and be productive members of society — then you will see the same people, the same people will support you and stand for you, as today they are standing for you.

It does not necessarily have to be only one day. All the time, every time — these values we must implement. But if we introduce ourselves — not from tomorrow, but from today — you will see there will be a change, a tremendous change will come, and the people will speak for you.

The Quran and the ahadith of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, mention that the majority of those who are Christians have a soft heart for Muslims. Insha'Allah, the time will come.

We are disgraced and humiliated not because of others — but because of our own lackings and shortcomings. Look at those lackings and shortcomings, and try our best to fulfill them, to improve ourselves. Our Iman must be improved. Our a'mal must be improved. Our akhlaqiyat and our mu'amalat must be improved. After doing this, insha'Allah, Allah's help will be there.

May Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, give us tawfiq to understand and to implement the teachings of Islam in our life. I say this and ask Allah's forgiveness for me and you and for the rest of the believers. He is the Most Forgiving and Most Merciful.

Second Khutbah — Closing Praise and Supplication

Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. We praise Him and ask His help, and we ask His forgiveness, and we believe in Him and we trust in Him, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from the evil of our deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. And whoever Allah leaves astray, none can guide.

Indeed, Allah commands justice and goodness and giving to relatives, and He forbids immorality and bad conduct and transgression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.

Remember Allah — He will remember you. Call upon Him — He will respond to you. And the remembrance of Allah, the Most High, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious, is the greatest.