Because of how exceptional it is, this Ramadan serves as an amazing reminder that the hubris of humanity is not justified. Its pretenses of autonomy, independence & strength are fragile, being built upon the myth of human will & power. In many ways, it is a lie as big as the idols in Mecca.
In the modern world, we have our own idols. Like the idols of the past, they are built on privilege, power & money.
This Ramadan, for those who reflect, taught so much. Whatever makes us feel that God is marginal to our existence, we discovered this Ramadan that it is all very fragile. The stark truth that the Quran constantly reminds us is that human life is temporary & the human existence depends on God.
With the world reopening, this deadly virus threatens us all- no one is guaranteed to live to next Ramadan. We miss another opportunity to be on the right path when we experience something like this pandemic and fail to think seriously about the redistribution of power & wealth. As the world reopens, we will be confronted with questions like, “What are our priorities in life? Are we committed to a vision of human rights?”
This khutbah began with a recitation of a du’a from a number of prophets. Notice their acknowledgement that this world is not our own. Without having an intimate relationship with God, it is easy to make God subservient to us. If we say God loves us the way we are, we rob God of a real will and God becomes symbolic- the relationship fails to affect our morality. If God does not teach you justice, animate your heart with compassion, give you a sense of purpose or challenge the arrogant- this god becomes an illusion, there to boost our egos.
The core of every prophet’s message is to take God seriously- if you develop your iman (belief); acknowledge our Maker and develop a relationship with God, you may not get a philosophical response as to why you exist but will get a spiritual response.
As children, we have many questions, becoming more acute as we get older and because you don’t have answers, you become addicted to distraction, causing you to worship things like money or power. Or alternatively, you discover that majestic relationship with the Divine- where these big questions are answered at the most personal level.
Ramadan is an opportunity to develop a relationship with God where we forgo delusions that shelter us from our insecurities.
God’s prophets taught that human dignity is sacred. Every prophet appealed to the most disadvantaged in society and taught that to God, they are equal to the most powerful in the world. In fact, in God’s eyes, they may be superior to the powerful.
Ramadan is a reminder of the message that our delusions are laughable- human dignity is one and the same for all. Even if you are not equal on this earth, in the Hereafter, you will confront the reality of your equality, and those who acted with arrogance will pay.
An example of this spirit is in the story of Zayd ibn Harithah, the Prophet’s adopted son, who was sold into slavery as a child. The Prophet eventually frees Zayd & builds such a close relationship with Zayd that he earns the title, “The Prophet's Love”.
Zayd’s family find Zayd and offer to pay any amount to the Prophet for Zayd. The Prophet refuses any money and instead gives Zayd the choice – the most ethical thing to do. Zayd was delighted to see his family but chose to stay with the Prophet out of love. His father replies, "But you will always have the status of a former slave." Zayd's response was, “In Islam, that doesn't matter.” Islam underscored that there is no difference between people regardless of status or wealth, honoring human dignity.
This story illustrates the type of morality a relationship with God embeds into people. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman and his son both converted to Islam during a dire time. Muslims were forced to battle, despite being vastly under-advantaged, needing all the help possible.
Hudayfah hears that Meccans planned to attack Muslims in Medina (Battle of Badr), so he and his son rush for Medina to help defend their fellow Muslims. On the way, they are stopped by Meccans and asked if they are going to join the battle. To avoid being killed, Hudhayfah promises they are not. When they reach Medina and tell the Prophet the story, the Prophet replies, “I'm sorry, but you can’t join us. You made a promise, you must keep it.”
Ethics, principle & morality matter. The dignity & word of a Muslim matters. The Prophet kept them to their word, assuring, “We have God.” The Muslims won the Battle of Badr.
If Islam does not teach us dignity, humility, equality & justice, then the Islam inside of us is not the Islam of the Prophets. God expects us to fulfill these principles in our lives.
Build your relationship with God. Find liberation in God. God could have chosen not to tell us about God's self, but chose to tell us to bring us comfort, tranquility, purpose & stability. God's message is thoroughly about justice & human dignity.

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