CIMIC | Today's khutbah was an intersting one. I attended the Jummah Khutbah in Champaign, IL, at the mosque at the U of I campus. I will say that the majority of the khutbah was fairly good, although there were a few points upon which raised eyebrows could be seen. |
The khateeb led us in a nice overview of the justice system in Islam, using verses from Surah Nisa and various Hadith. The issues arose with the stories he was quoting. Rather, he didn't specify how valid these stories were. For instance, a very strange story, one which I have never heard before, explained justice as it was understood by the murderers of Uthman (R).
He explained that one of the murderers admitted that out of the ten times he stabbed the Khalipha, that three were for God and that the rest, seven, were for him, some personal grief he had with Uthman (R). Bizarre. The Khateeb did well to explain that the murderer felt justified in his murder of Uthman (R), referring to the first three stabs he executed upon the body of the third Khalipha. That Uthman had been unfair and that he favored his family. Hence, he had to be killed. The Khateeb then finished saying, "Which of course these accusations were unfounded."
Two points, firstly, thinking someone is unfair in their treatment towards one is not just cause of murder. Secondly, historically speaking, Uthman (R) did show some favoritism, but we don't pretend to know the reasoning behind that, we honor and respect all the Khaliphas and don't presume to know their intentions. Especially the Khulipha Ar Rashidun, the four rightly guided caliphs. What the khateeb said was just bizarre, I really wish he had cited the source of this "historical fact."
I won't go on about the Khateeb, he did a good job for the most part, I am happy with that. What is worthy of mention is the lack of proper adab of the people that came to pray at the mosque today. I still don't understand why people pray the Sunnah during the Khutbah, I explained in an early post why I thought this. But, fine, I can accept that some people just won't stop doing this, but why, why oh why, do you have to come, stand RIGHT in front of me, and start praying. It's almost obscene, think about that, what positions does one take when praying? It's really disrespectful I think, when there is plenty of room behind, why interrupt someone else's prayer with a prayer that should not even be prayed during the Khutbah?
I am constantly reminded of the lack of adab found amongst many Muslims. Adab means manners, by the way. Our noble Prophet Muhammad (S) said he came to perfect our religion, through perfecting our character, which is reflected in our manners, our adab.
Perhaps if we all realize this point, attempt to better ourselves and enhance our characters and not our egos, we may better our condition, as individuals, and maybe even as a community.
[Abu Fulan]
He explained that one of the murderers admitted that out of the ten times he stabbed the Khalipha, that three were for God and that the rest, seven, were for him, some personal grief he had with Uthman (R). Bizarre. The Khateeb did well to explain that the murderer felt justified in his murder of Uthman (R), referring to the first three stabs he executed upon the body of the third Khalipha. That Uthman had been unfair and that he favored his family. Hence, he had to be killed. The Khateeb then finished saying, "Which of course these accusations were unfounded."
Two points, firstly, thinking someone is unfair in their treatment towards one is not just cause of murder. Secondly, historically speaking, Uthman (R) did show some favoritism, but we don't pretend to know the reasoning behind that, we honor and respect all the Khaliphas and don't presume to know their intentions. Especially the Khulipha Ar Rashidun, the four rightly guided caliphs. What the khateeb said was just bizarre, I really wish he had cited the source of this "historical fact."
I won't go on about the Khateeb, he did a good job for the most part, I am happy with that. What is worthy of mention is the lack of proper adab of the people that came to pray at the mosque today. I still don't understand why people pray the Sunnah during the Khutbah, I explained in an early post why I thought this. But, fine, I can accept that some people just won't stop doing this, but why, why oh why, do you have to come, stand RIGHT in front of me, and start praying. It's almost obscene, think about that, what positions does one take when praying? It's really disrespectful I think, when there is plenty of room behind, why interrupt someone else's prayer with a prayer that should not even be prayed during the Khutbah?
I am constantly reminded of the lack of adab found amongst many Muslims. Adab means manners, by the way. Our noble Prophet Muhammad (S) said he came to perfect our religion, through perfecting our character, which is reflected in our manners, our adab.
Perhaps if we all realize this point, attempt to better ourselves and enhance our characters and not our egos, we may better our condition, as individuals, and maybe even as a community.
[Abu Fulan]
