Advice for those delivering the Eid khutbah

Opening remarks

This is the second Eid of Islam
It comes at the end of the greatest days of the Dunya: the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah
Yesterday was the great Day of ‘Arafah, upon which the Hujjāj completed the greatest pillar of Islam, Hajj
The Day of ‘Arafah is when Allah frees the greatest number of people from the Hellfire

Significance of Eid al-Adha

This Eid is called Eid al-Adha, the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr)
Muslims — both Hujjāj and non-Hujjāj — slaughter animals for the sake of Allah

Allah says,

لِّيَشْهَدُوا۟ مَنَـٰفِعَ لَهُمْ وَيَذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ فِىٓ أَيَّامٍۢ مَّعْلُومَـٰتٍ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ ۖ فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْبَآئِسَ ٱلْفَقِيرَ

That they may witness [i.e. attend] benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah on known [i.e. specific] days over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.” [1]

Essence of Hajj and tawhīd

Hajj was established to glorify Allah and make dhikr of Him — this is the essence of tawhīd

Allah says,

وَإِذْ بَوَّأْنَا لِإِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ مَكَانَ ٱلْبَيْتِ أَن لَّا تُشْرِكْ بِى شَيْـًٔا وَطَهِّرْ بَيْتِىَ لِلطَّآئِفِينَ وَٱلْقَآئِمِينَ وَٱلرُّكَّعِ ٱلسُّجُودِ

And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], ‘Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform tawāf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate.'” [2]

The Prophet ﷺ said,

Indeed, the tawāf around the House, the sā’ī between Safa and Marwah, and the pelting of the Jamarāt were only prescribed to establish the remembrance of Allah.” [3]

Deeper meanings of Hajj

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, and only obligatory once in a lifetime
However, it is a global annual event with deeper meanings
It’s a demonstration that this Ummah is one

Allah says,

وَاعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” [4]

The Ummah’s unity is historical, not geographical — Hajj connects us to Ibrāhīm and Ismā’īl (ʿalayhum al-Salām) and the establishment of the Ka’bah
It showcases the global and universal message of Islam, as Muslims from all over the world come for Hajj

Allah says,

وَأَذِّنْ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًۭا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍۢ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍۢ

And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass…” [5]

Hajj reflects nature of the Ummah

It is a demonstration of power, justice, humbleness, and an Ākhirah-centric vision
This is the Ummah that Allah declared the best of nations

Allah says,

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” [6]

Our role is to enjoin good, forbid evil, and to uphold belief in Allah
We must understand this role and fulfil it, otherwise we lose being the best, and Allah will become angry at us

The Prophet ﷺ said,

لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، أَوْ لَيُسَلِّطَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَدُوًّا

“You will certainly enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, or else Allah will empower an enemy over you.” [7]

Losing this status leads to suffering of the Ummah, as well as corruption and injustice across the world

This is the way forward

The Ummah must return to its rightful status
A simple formula from the Qur’ān is as follows:
- Unity: كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ (“You are the best of nations.”)
- Effectiveness: تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ (“You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”)
- Faith: وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ (“And you believe in Allah.”)
Everyone should ask themselves: “What am I doing for my Ummah?”
Be optimistic — as the Prophet ﷺ always was
Alhamdulillāh, the Ummah is waking up, and our youth are rising, uniting, and empowering the Ummah

Second Khutbah

It is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ to slaughter the sacrificial animal and eat from it if possible
The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is a very virtuous day, considered by some scholars to be greater than ‘Arafah for the Hujjāj

The Prophet ﷺ said,

Indeed, the greatest day in the sight of Allah is the Day of Nahr.” [8]

This year, Eid has fallen on a Friday, continue generally making dhikr of Allah, and especially after fard prayers
The takbīr continues until Maghrib of 13^th Dhul Hijjah
As we enjoy with our families, do not forget the families in Gaza and those suffering worldwide
Be generous in giving sadaqah for those in hardship.