Be Extraordinary Muslims!

Khutbah by Sheikh Abdulbary - April 19, 2019

The Best of Nations

...of nations brought forth for humanity.

"You are the best nation brought forth for humanity. You enjoin that which is good, and forbid that which is evil, and you believe in Allah."

That's what makes us the best. We are the best. We are the best. The best of nations. But it is only when we embody the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah in our daily lives.

A Lesson from Mecca

I was in Mecca with my mother. My mother was next to me sitting in the sun. And it was Friday. And everybody was flocking into the masjid for prayer. We went an hour and a half before the khutbah began. But that's already late when you have millions of people flocking into one place. So we were not able to even enter the masjid.

And we sat outside. And there were people passing us by. And somebody tossed a juice box. There were at least five or six garbage cans in front. But this person couldn't take a few steps to put this box in the garbage can. He just tossed it right there.

And you know there was a little bit of juice still in the box. And it splattered on my face. And I looked at him and I said, A'udhu Billah. Like, didn't you see there was a couple of garbage cans over there? You couldn't put it in there? And then I started thinking. And I said, this is the situation of the ummah. Like, this is why we're like this. Look, we can't even put trash in its proper place.

The Danger of Following Bad Examples

And then there was some shade. There was some shade in an area that was behind a barrier. And of course in that area there was a lot of construction. And huge pits. There's a lot of change going on in Mecca. A lot of construction going on. And so people were sitting in the sun. And then somebody realized, you know, there's a lot of shade in that area across that barrier.

So it only takes one person, right? To set an example, a bad example. So this man jumps over that barrier right in front of the danger sign. He jumps over and everybody says, He's sitting in the sun. Or he's sitting in the shade while we're all here in the sun. You know what? Let's get over there. And so everybody starts jumping over, doing the same thing he just did.

But of course it's going to put people in danger because that's a very, very dangerous area. The police start seeing this and they come over and they're trying to prevent people. And everyone's saying, look, why are they over there? Everyone's pushing each other, yelling and screaming. And I said, la ilaha illallah. Like we can't even follow directions for our own personal safety. I'm starting thinking about this and that. Because, you know, I'm hot. I'm hot and hungry. I didn't have my breakfast that morning either. So I'm thinking all kinds of things. Look at this ummah, subhanallah. Is this the situation? Is this the state of the ummah? And people are screaming and yelling and pushing.

The Power of Unity in Prayer

And then something happened. There was a voice that came out, resonating from the mountains of Mecca. And I heard, assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. And all of that yelling and screaming and pushing amazingly stopped. As if it was a miracle and everybody knew what to do. There was no more screaming, no more pushing, no more shoving. Everybody sat where they were. And the police officers were able to take a breather. Everybody was listening to one man. Nobody said a single word. Everyone sat still, listening to one man.

And then he said, (اِسْتَقِيمُوا اعْتَدِلُوا - "istaqeemoo i'tadiloo") "Stand in straight rows. Straighten your lines." He finishes the khutbah. And he tells people to stay in straight lines. And millions of people from different parts of the world, speaking different languages, everybody knew what to do. In less than 10 seconds, everybody was standing up in straight rows. Allahu Akbar. And then when he said Allahu Akbar, people went down in sujood and ruku, all in synchrony. Everybody knew what to do. Such a beautiful scene. Such a beautiful scene as if it was a miracle.

Try to get the best drill instructor in the world to try to get 3,000 people to do that. In synchrony. You wouldn't be able to do so, but everyone coming from different parts of the world, everyone knew what they were doing. You know why? Because we said Allahu Akbar. When we declare the greatness of Allah, we as Muslims are the most organized, the best of people. We are the best of people. When we follow our deen, when we embody the teachings of the Qur'an and the sunnah.

We Must Change Ourselves

And that's why we as a Muslim community, especially in the United States of America, we have to change. We keep on saying that we live in difficult times, but there's nothing wrong with the times that we are living in. Like al-Imam al-Shafi'i, he said:

"We blame the times that we are living in, but there's nothing wrong with the times that we are living in. The fault that's wrong with the times that we are living in is us."

And that's why we have a responsibility. Every individual here can make a difference. Everybody. Allah knows what's happening in the world right now. And He's all wise. And Allah is all wise. But He tests us to see if we can embody the teachings of the Qur'an and the sunnah in our daily lives.

Being Examples in Our Communities

And if we do that, it will not matter what Fox says. It will not matter what the President of the United States says. He can spew any of that hatred from his mouth. But if we embody the teachings of the Qur'an in our daily lives, our neighbors will know. Donald Trump, you are a liar. Of course, he lies about many things. But especially of Muslims also. Because I have a Muslim neighbor and he's the best neighbor I have ever had. Donald Trump, you're a liar.

And all that hatred and lies spewing from the people at Fox, you guys are liars. I have a Muslim classmate and he's the most helpful classmate I have ever had. You guys in the media, on TV, in the news, in the radio, you guys are liars. Especially about Muslims. I have a Muslim coworker and he's the most honest worker I have ever, ever worked with. I've never even seen him check his own personal email while he's at work.

We can no longer be ordinary. We can no longer be ordinary. We have to be extraordinary. We are the best. We have to be examples for other people. We can't just be different. People look at us as being different already. But we have to make a difference. We have to be the change that we want to see. And if we don't, then there will not be change around us.

Allah Will Not Change Our Condition

As Allah says:

"Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves."

And that's why every one of us, we have to take responsibility. And if we make that change, Allah will make miracles happen. And the plots and plans of those Islamophobes, it will go against them.

The Miracle After Christchurch

A couple of weeks ago, we all heard about the tragic news in Christchurch, New Zealand. A man came in and he tried to stop Islam. Yes, that's what he did. You know why he chose that church, that masjid? He chose that masjid because it used to be a church. He mentioned one of the reasons why he chose it. Because it used to be a church. But of course, many churches are closing down. And he went into that masjid. And we all know what he did. He tried to stop Islam.

He tried to stop Islam, but the adhan was called out at the universities in New Zealand. He tried to stop Islam, but the prime minister put on hijab. And the anchors in the news, they put on hijab. He tried to stop Islam, but the verses and the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ was recited by the head of the police and by the prime minister herself. He tried to stop Islam, but the Qur'an and the adhan was recited in parliament. He tried to stop Islam, but flowers were put in front of masjids all over the world, including masjids here in California and the United States of America and in Europe.

He tried to spew his hatred and make other people hate Islam and the Muslims. But the world came in defense of Islam and the Muslims. He tried to stop Islam to make Muslims feel unsafe. But you know, there was a bicycle gang. There was a bike gang, motorcycle gang, not bicycle. Motorcycle gang, hell's angel. Did you know on that following Friday, they went to the masjids to protect Muslims so that they could pray in peace? He tried to stop Islam. They plot, but Allah has other plans. Allah has other plans.

Our Responsibility as a Muslim Community

And that's why we as a Muslim community here, we have a responsibility. We as individuals, we have a responsibility. We have to be the best. We can't just be ordinary. If there are people who are in need in Los Angeles, in Skid Row, if there are homeless people who need food and shelter, we as a Muslim community, we should be the first to be there. If there are people who are being oppressed, we should be there. If there's a calamity, we should be there.

That's the example that was set for us by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. And that's why when revelation first came to the Prophet ﷺ, and Jibreel squeezed him, and he did not know what was happening to him. He went down from that mountain. He said:

"Cover me up. Cover me up. I fear for my life."

(Sahih al-Bukhari 3)

His wife Khadijah radiyallahu anha, she said:

"By Allah, Allah would never humiliate you."

Why? Because you enjoy relations. You are hospitable to your guests. And you are there for the needy.

"And you are there for the calamity-stricken ones."

(Sahih al-Bukhari 3)

Living the Teachings of Islam Daily

He was the most honest, the most kind, the most helpful of all the people in Mecca. And that's why we have a responsibility in our neighborhoods when we see trash, we should pick up the trash. When we walk by and we pick up trash and it is not to show off, it is what our deen orders us to do. When we see that there are people who are in need, we're there for them. Because it is our deen that orders us to do that. Not because we want the media to see this and that.

Whether we are alone, whether we are with other people, whether the TV stations and the newscasters are there or not, we believe in Allah. And we enjoin that which is good and forbid that which is evil.

"You are the best of nations brought forth for humanity."

You are the best. And that's why we have to be the best by embodying the teachings of the Quran and the sunnah in our daily lives.

Second Khutbah

"O you who believe, fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do."

Allah's Plan for Humanity

Allah when He created Adam alayhi salam He said in surah al-baqarah:

"And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent.'"

إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً

Meaning a creation that will be put on this earth that will be the top creation, everything will be created for them and given to them.

إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً

And so the angels they said:

"They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?'"

أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ

Are you going to put therein a creation that will cause mischief and shed blood? Do you see what's going on right now in the world? That's exactly what's happening, right? Why? Allah says:

"He said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'"

Allah knows what's happening right now. Allah knows what's happening and He's in control over all things. And He's all wise.

The Best Among the Worst

But why is all this bloodshed, deception, lies? The rich are stealing from the poor. The strong are taking advantage of the weak. Why is all this going on? Because there will be another group of people. And they are the best. Amongst the creation, amongst the children of Adam, there will be a people and they will be the best of people.

"You are the best of nations brought forth for humanity."

Because there will be heroes. Because when the worst of humanity commit the worst of atrocities, it brings out the best in the best of humanity. And do you know who the best of humanity are? It's us.

When the worst of humanity commit the worst of atrocities, it brings out the best in the best of humanity. When the suffering happens, there will be people who will stand up. When there's injustice, there will be people who will stand up for justice.

Stand Up and Be Proud

And it is our responsibility. We need to stop blaming other people. We need to stop blaming the times that we are living in. If we don't make that change within ourselves, then the change around us will not happen. Every single one of us. Look inside.

And when you're out there at work, when you're out there with your family in the community, in your neighborhoods, at your schools, I want you to stand up proudly and say, I'm a Muslim. Why am I picking up trash on the streets? Because I'm a Muslim. Why am I offering to mow your lawn for you? Because I'm a Muslim. Why am I so honest? Because I'm a Muslim. Why am I so helpful? Because I'm a Muslim. And that's what Allah has ordered me to do.

We need to embody the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah in each and every aspect of our daily lives.

Closing Du'a

Announcements

So that will be, inshallah, at 7 p.m. And IIOC Da'wah Department has prepared Ramadan gift boxes for you to purchase and give as a gift to your non-Muslim co-workers, neighbors, friends, and family members to inform them about Islam. Table is in the lobby.

IIOC also has a special matrimony event for brothers and sisters 40 years old and above. It's on day 6-8 in Fullerton City. For more details, please check the poster outside.

And give the gift of life. Donate blood. Schedule your donation online. Donors will receive a gift certificate for a free Baskin-Robbins pint of ice cream. Check the poster outside for requirements. And that is Sunday, 4-28. The time will be 10 a.m. to 3-30 p.m., inshallah. For details, check the rules and categories and registration online, inshallah. Wa aqeem, inshallah.