Are you an oppressor?
By Sh Mohamed Badawy
Khutbah
Designed for real-time delivery with minimal prep, this version preserves the flow and pacing of a spoken khutbah—ideal for confident speakers seeking a natural tone.
Essay
A traditional, essay-style write-up focused on depth and structure. Best for khatibs who want to study the topic and craft their own delivery from well-organized source material.
Quick Guide
A high-level summary to jog your memory and support experienced khatibs. Great for refreshing familiar topics or organizing your khutbah on the go.
Khutbah Toolkit: Quick Guide
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
إن الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا من يهده الله فلا مضل له ومن يضلل فلا هادي له..وأشهد ان لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله.
All praise is due to Allah, we seek his refuge, and ask for his forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from our own bad deeds. Whoever Allah guides, no one can misguide him, and whoever Allah misguides, no one can guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah Alone, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his messenger.
Quick Guide: Are you an oppressor?
- Allah has ordained twelve months, four of which are sacred, and commands that no oppression be committed during these months.
- Sacred months emphasize the severity of sins and the weight of good deeds, encouraging constant self-reflection and awareness of one’s actions.
- Oppression occurs in three forms: against Allah, oneself, and others. Misplacing Allah’s rights or prioritizing anyone or anything over Him constitutes the gravest form of oppression.
- Oppression against oneself happens when one transgresses Allah’s limits, since His commands and prohibitions are meant for the believer’s benefit.
- Oppression against others, particularly fellow Muslims, is strictly forbidden; their honor, wealth, and blood are inviolable. Even seemingly small acts of fear, humiliation, or injustice are considered oppression.
- Six practical steps can prevent being an oppressor:
- Taqwa – maintaining constant awareness of Allah in all actions, whether public or private.
- Humility – avoiding arrogance, pride in wealth, status, or power, and recognizing that all blessings are from Allah.
- Gratitude – acknowledging Allah as the source of all blessings, which fosters humility and deters oppression.
- Reflect on justice and reward – remembering the honor and blessings granted to those who are just and fair encourages striving toward justice in all matters.
- Reflect on the consequences of oppression – understanding the severity of the harm caused by oppressors motivates one to avoid wrongdoing and help reduce injustice.
- Remorse and repentance – sincerely acknowledging personal wrongdoing, feeling remorse, and seeking forgiveness to repair the relationship with Allah and with others.
- Daily reflection, humility, gratitude, and active pursuit of justice ensure that one is not a link in the chain of oppression.
- Following these principles strengthens the connection to Allah, fosters personal reform, and contributes to the overall justice and well-being of the community.
- By consistently applying these six steps, a believer removes themselves from the cycle of oppression and becomes part of the solution, uplifting both themselves and the ummah.
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