Khutbah Reflection by Dr. Omar Suleiman

In this powerful khutbah, Dr. Omar Suleiman challenges the Muslim community to go beyond surface-level commemorations of the Day of Ashura and to understand its present-day relevance as a living lesson in divine power, struggle, submission, and spiritual clarity.

1. Ashura Is a Day of Meaning, Not Mere Memory

Dr. Omar opens by reminding us that Ashura, which falls on the 10th of Muharram, carries tremendous spiritual reward—fasting on this day is expiation for a year’s worth of sins. But the day is not just about reward or nostalgia; it is deeply rooted in historic resistance, divine deliverance, and moral clarity.

Ashura was the day Musa (Moses) and his people were saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny. When the Prophet ﷺ learned the Jewish tribes in Medina fasted this day, he affirmed:

"We are closer to Musa than they are."

But Ashura is also the day when Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, was martyred in Karbala, standing against oppression. These are not disconnected stories of the past — they are living guidance.

2. Ashura Is Not Nostalgia – It’s a Present Reality

The Prophet ﷺ and the companions did not fast Ashura out of distant admiration of Musa. They lived the struggle of Musa themselves.

When they migrated to Medina, they had left everything behind, and the Quraysh still pursued them — like Pharaoh pursued Musa.

A few months after their first Ashura fast, the Muslims were granted victory at Badr. But a year later, they suffered great loss at Uhud. Through it all, the companions connected the story of Musa to their own ongoing struggle for justice, truth, and divine trust.

Ashura, then, is not a date we observe sentimentally — it’s a lens through which we view our own condition.

3. Victory Is Defined by Submission, Not Outcome

Dr. Omar explains that real victory in the sight of Allah is not always measured by outward success. The martyrs of Uhud — who were killed in battle — are pleased with Allah and consider themselves victorious. They don’t blame those who made mistakes (like the archers at Uhud who came down early), because they’ve submitted to the divine plan.

“They are with Allah, pleased with Him and He is pleased with them.”

This submission is not defeat. It is the highest form of spiritual maturity — to say: “Whatever Allah chooses for me, I am content.”

4. Four Stories That Illustrate the Power of Submission

Dr. Omar recounts four prophetic stories that show how divine intervention often defies worldly logic:

A. Musa (AS) and the Red Sea

Standing at the sea with an enemy behind and a sea in front, his people doubted. But Musa confidently said:

“Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.”
Allah split the sea — a miracle — because He is not bound by human logic or nature.

B. Nuh (AS) and the Ark

Nuh built a massive ark on dry land under a clear sky. People mocked him. But the flood came — from beneath the earth, not even from clouds — again, shattering expectations.

C. Ibrahim (AS) and the Fire

When thrown into the fire, Allah didn’t extinguish the flames. He changed their nature:

“O fire, be cool and peaceful upon Ibrahim.”
The fire burned, but Ibrahim was unharmed — a test of submission to unseen wisdom.

D. Imam Hussain (RA) and Karbala

Despite having a plan, Hussain was betrayed, left unsupported, and brutally martyred. But he achieved the ultimate victory of martyrdom. Allah didn’t change the law of nature, but the meaning of his death became immortal — a symbol of standing for truth, no matter the cost.

5. Dua: Don't Worship the Odds

Dr. Omar then shifts focus to the power and intention behind du'a (supplication).
Many believers only make du'a within the bounds of what's logically possible. That, he warns, is a form of functional atheism.

“If your du’a is limited by logic, you’re not calling upon God — you’re calling upon probability.”

He urges us to break free from material thinking and recognize Allah as the Master of all means, above all odds, and the One who rewrites outcomes.

6. Submission ≠ Defeat

There’s a critical distinction between submitting to Allah's will and being defeated by events.

• Submission is trust. Like Ibrahim walking into fire, or Musa at the Red Sea.

• Defeat is despair. Like those who say “we’re done” before even trying.

If Allah chooses martyrdom for you, Alhamdulillah.
If He chooses survival and more struggle, Alhamdulillah.
Either way, you are victorious by your trust and effort — not just by the result.

7. Lessons for Today

Dr. Omar concludes by drawing parallels to today’s world. Whether it’s Palestine, personal trials, or injustice, we must:

• Reject despair.

• Silence the inner voices that echo fear and doubt.

• Fast Ashura not as nostalgia, but as connection to the struggle for truth.

• Make dua from a place of certainty, not calculations.

• Never give up hope in Allah’s power — even when the world laughs at you.

“We must see through the laughter of the oppressors and the doubt of the naysayers. Our hearts must remain as full of faith as Musa, as Ibrahim, as Hussain, as Muhammad ﷺ.”

Final Prayer

May Allah renew our iman during these sacred days, strengthen our trust in His wisdom, and grant our Ummah victory over all seemingly impossible odds.

Ashura is not nostalgia. It is divine alignment. It is living faith.

Alhamdulillah.