Jaffari Community Centre

Friday KhutbaSeptember 25th, 2026- Salatu 'l-Jumu'ah consists of two separate components: two sermons, in which the main part must be in the local language apart from the praise of Allah and salawat, and a two-rak'at prayer.- In the presence of the Imam (a), Jumu'ah is wajib 'ayni when led by the Imam or someone he has specially appointed; the Qur'anic phrase "when the call is made" is understood to mean a call made by the ma'sum Imam or his specially appointed na'ib.- This obligation applies to everyone within an 11 km radius of that masjid.- During the ghaybat of the Imam (a), the mujtahideen differ, and the majority hold that Jumu'ah is wajib takhyiri, meaning one may choose between Zuhr and Jumu'ah.- Jumu'ah led by an opponent of the Ahlul Bayt is not wajib. Its sermons have a socio-political dimension, and unjust rulers misused them to promote themselves, including to tarnish the image of Imam Ali (a) and his descendants in the early Umayyad era.- Zurarah asked Imam al-Baqir (a) about a report that Amir al-Mu'minin (a) prayed four rak'at after Jumu'ah without separating them with a salam. The Imam explained that he prayed behind a sinful imam, then stood after that imam's salam and continued, completing four rak'at. When asked about it, he replied only that "they are four rak'at that seem similar," and the questioner did not understand. A similar account is reported about Imam Zaynul Abidin (a).- Where there is no Shia Jumu'ah prayer and one joins another congregation, Zuhr must also be prayed.- Participating in a congregation one does not believe in is sometimes unavoidable, and this is based on taqiyyah.- At the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump, as the leader of the world's superpower, openly threatened to annihilate a Muslim country.- No political leader stood up to say he was wrong, even though the UN Secretary-General had earlier strongly emphasized respect for international law and spoken against unilateral, aggressive steps to resolve conflicts.- In such an environment, a Shia head of state has the right to take part in that gathering and defend his country and its people.- Trump declared at the General Assembly that no leftist influence would be tolerated in America's neighbourhood of Central and South America.- If there is any sense of fairness, the question follows: what is the US doing thousands of miles from its shores in the Middle East, creating constant conflict through the state of Israel?- Canada's Prime Minister suddenly changed tone and, in a way, echoed Trump's words against Iran, perhaps seeking favour with Trump in a trade deal.- This comes even though, according to reports, the same Prime Minister had considered plans to defend Canada in case of US military action against it.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFriday September 18th, 2026- Today's vast and fast access to information is a blessing from Allah, because powerful and tyrannical forces can no longer control the narrative.- On the first day of the US–Israel war on Iran, a missile struck a girls' school in Minab, killing at least 156 people, including 120 children.- A strike on a sports complex and residential area in the town of Lamerd killed at least 21 civilians, including seven children.- The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran found that the Minab school, though next to an IRGC naval complex, was clearly identifiable, with no information indicating any military use.- The experts found reasonable grounds to believe the US carried out the school strike, concluding the school was the intended point of impact and not an errant strike or collateral damage, citing survivors who said it was struck twice.- In both Minab and Lamerd, the mission found reasonable grounds to believe the US committed the war crime of launching an indiscriminate attack causing civilian deaths and damage to civilian objects.- The US tried to blame the Minab strike on an errant Iranian strike, an old tactic of oppressors who, when a blatant crime cannot be hidden, try to blame the victim.- After Karbala, Yazid first portrayed the massacre as his victory and a warning to anyone who rose against him; when public opinion shifted towards the victims, he blamed his governor Ibn Ziyad; later, writers promoting the Umayyad line blamed "the Shi'a of Kufa."- When a Wahhabi preacher in Africa claimed "the Shi'as killed Husayn," he was challenged to curse those who killed Imam Husayn, those who oppressed him, and those who heard of his murder and approved of it. He refused, knowing in his heart he would be cursing his own leaders.- When studying history, readers must know the writer and their socio-political environment, because a conscious or unconscious commitment to a political or religious tradition can bias judgement.- Historian Marshall Hodgson warned that bias hides especially in the questions a writer poses and the categories they use, because terms that seem innocently neutral are the hardest to suspect.- The world map used for four centuries carried a Western bias, making northern hemisphere nations look larger than they are and subtly reinforcing perceptions of where global strength lies.- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for wider use of equal-area maps, particularly the Equal Earth projection, by a vote of 164 in favour, 6 abstentions, and 1 against: the United States. The US is one of the countries that appears smaller on the new map.- Terms like "Middle East" and "Far East" carry a subtle bias: "middle" and "far" from where? European geographers and strategists divided the "Orient" by its distance from Europe: the Near East (the Balkans and Ottoman Empire), the Middle East (Mediterranean to India), and the Far East (lands facing the Pacific, such as China and Japan).- On a world map centred on Mecca, Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent become the "near east," Thailand to China and Japan the "middle east," Australia the "far east," Europe the "near west," and the Americas the "far west." These terms can still be used, as long as their built-in bias is kept in mind.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 11, 2026- Today marks twenty-five years since the 9/11 attacks, when hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers, killing innocent people of many different religions and races, and Muslims in general are still suffering because of the actions of people who did not represent them.- Of the nineteen hijackers, fifteen came from Saudi Arabia, one from the UAE, one from Egypt and one from Lebanon, and all were associated with al-Qaeda.- Every one of them belonged to the Wahhabi school of thought, the brand of Islam officially followed by the Saudi state, yet Saudi Arabia was never held responsible for the attacks and remains in the good books of the United States.- That same ideology added the element of violence to the Muslim world, licensing the killing of anyone who does not share its views, and gave birth to the Taliban in Afghanistan and ISIS in Syria and Iraq.- The United States used 9/11 to attack Afghanistan, and the war against Iraq was launched under a false pretext.- The Bush administration took pride in having liberated Afghan girls so they could attend school, yet twenty years later the Americans left Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban, who closed all the girls' schools again.- The Wahhabis are the ideological descendants of the Khawarij, who went around labelling other Muslims as kafir and mushrik.- The Khawarij were deceived when Mu'awiyah's army lifted the Qur'an on their spearheads, pressed Imam Ali into accepting a truce, then turned against him and called him a mushrik for accepting the arbitration, disturbing his congregational prayers and sermons with slogans and recitation of Qur'anic ayat and accusing him of bringing zillat upon the Muslims.- Imam Ali answered their harassment publicly with three guarantees that would hold as long as they remained: they would not be prevented from the masajid to remember Allah's name in them, they would not be deprived of the public treasury as long as their hands were with the community's, and they would not be fought until they themselves began the hostilities.- Ideological opposition can be tolerated; violence cannot, and that is the standard set by Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a) and his Ahlul Bayt.- The conscience of Western governments has been slow to awaken to settler terrorism, and twelve nations including the UK, France and Canada have announced sanctions on Israel because of the increasing settler violence in the West Bank.- The UK foreign minister stated that settler terrorists supported by Benjamin Netanyahu's government are committing ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.- He added that the Israeli government has all too often turned a blind eye to this, and worse, that members of it have made statements and taken actions to support the forced displacement of Palestinians.- The UK measures include a ban on goods from illegal settlements and a ban on arms licences and other exports that materially contribute to the occupation, and the minister announcing them is himself from a Jewish background.- The UK prime minister said he would not stand by as horrific suffering continued and that Britain had for too long been hesitant, fearful of being accused of being anti-Israel, and in a joint statement with the French president and the Canadian prime minister declared that the time has come to take further action to uphold the commitment to protect the two-state solution, to stand up for their interests and values, before it is too late.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaSeptember 4th, 2026- Tawakkul means doing your own part in whatever you plan or intend, then trusting in Allah's help to overcome the challenges you face, while accepting that the eventual result rests in Allah's will.- The days of Milad un-Nabi (s) call attention to the Prophet's own example of placing his trust in Allah.- During the Battle of Dhatu 'r-Riqa', the army stopped to rest in a valley, and the companions withdrew so the Prophet could rest in the shade of a tree, where he left his sword standing against the trunk.- An enemy found the Prophet alone and asleep, took his sword, and stood over him intending to kill him, but the Prophet woke and calmly sat up.- When asked "Who will protect you from me?" the Prophet answered only, "Allah! Allah! Allah!"- The attacker felt a push to his chest, the sword slipped from his hand, and the Prophet took it up and asked him in turn, "Who will protect you against me?"- Rather than force conversion, the Prophet released the man after he pledged never to fight him nor join any group that fought him.- The man returned to his people declaring he had come from the best of people, and in another narration he accepted Islam.- This episode demonstrates both the power of tawakkul in Allah and the mercy of the Prophet, who did not compel belief.- There can never be peace if justice is not implemented for all nations, and justice cannot prevail when powerful nations are never held accountable while international law is used only against those who oppose them.- Where justice is absent, the world is left with strife in one form or another.- On 1st September, an American missile struck a home in a small Iranian fishing town on the Strait of Hormuz where dozens had gathered for a fisherman's daughter's wedding, killing at least four and wounding 67.- A 2013 review by a UAE English-language newspaper documented at least eight US attacks on wedding parties or processions between 2001 and 2013, killing 300 people, with six strikes in Afghanistan, one in Iraq, and one in Yemen; one Yemeni survivor said what began as a wedding suddenly became a funeral.- The US refuses responsibility for such deaths: the US Vice President insisted America never targets civilians and never has, before conceding that sometimes things happen; after the Minab girls' school bombing, 46 Democratic senators demanded answers from Defense Secretary Hegseth by a March 18 deadline he never met, and the Pentagon completed an April investigation whose findings remain unreleased to Congress and the public.- In his epistle to Malik al-Ashtar, Imam Ali (a) relates hearing the Messenger of Allah (s) say on more than one occasion that no community can ever attain sanctity if the weak within it cannot secure their right from the strong without being treated roughly.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaAugust 28th, 2026- Milad un-Nabi marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (s).- The Prophet's fundamental message was tawhid: there is no god but Allah, and only when false gods, idols, and tribal gods are banished from the mind and heart does the One True God find a place there.- Tawhid carries a profound social implication: if there is only One Universal God for all people, then every believer relates to Him in the same way, with the same link to Him.- This concept establishes the equality of believers in the eyes of God regardless of race, colour, or language — Arab or non-Arab, white or black, rich or poor.- People reacted to this equality differently: the oppressed of Mecca, the poor and the slaves, were drawn to Islam, while some of the Meccan elite were pushed away by it.- The Prophet came from Quraysh, the Meccan elite, from its Hashimi branch, yet Quraysh disliked his policy of treating all people as equals.- The elite of Quraysh offered to hear the Prophet's message on condition that he distance himself from the slaves and the weak of low status, having seen him sitting with companions like Suhayb, Bilal, Ammar, Salim mawla of Abu Hudhayfah, and Miqdad.- They feared that visiting Arab tribal chiefs would think less of them for associating with the poor and enslaved.- The Prophet refused their proposal, and the matter was significant enough that Allah revealed a verse addressing him directly.- Quran 6:52 commands the Prophet not to drive away those who call upon their Lord morning and evening seeking His face, warning that to turn them away would place him among the unjust.- This teaching had far-reaching impact, illustrated during the Muslim conquest of Egypt at the siege of Alexandria.- When a ten-member delegation led by Ubaydah bin as-Samit came to negotiate surrender terms, the governor of Egypt demanded that "this black person" be removed and someone else sent to negotiate.- The Muslims replied that Ubaydah was the best among them, their leader appointed by the commander-in-chief, superior in status, intelligence, and understanding, and that being black was no negativity among them.- Even in the twenty-first century, some still consider themselves superior to others merely because of tribal background.- Extremist Israeli settlers exemplify this, sometimes using the most despicable terms to describe Palestinians, using violence to displace Palestinians, destroy property, and advance the illegal settlement enterprise with the support of the Israeli government.- Canada, along with the European Union, the UK, Norway, and Australia, has introduced sanctions to hold extremist settlers accountable for settler violence against Palestinian civilians.- A Toronto activist group called "Israel Now" invited Jerusalem's Deputy Mayor Arieh King, a far-right politician and founder of the Israel Land Fund, which facilitates acquiring land and property for settlements, particularly in East Jerusalem.- Canadians for Justice & Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) campaigned to pressure the Canadian Government to deny King entry, and the pressure worked — Canada barred him by deactivating his Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), a reminder that organizing and demanding accountability makes a difference.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Eid-e-Zehra 1448August 23, 2026- Eid-e-Zahra commemorates the movement of Mukhtar, who avenged the killers of Imam Husayn (AS) in Karbala, and stands as an expression of love for the Ahlul Bayt.- Efforts to diminish the merits of Imam Ali (AS) and his family began immediately after the Prophet (s) and have continued ever since.- Allamah Sayyid Abdul Aziz at-Tabatabai noted that opponents actively concealed, altered, or rejected the merits of Imam Ali (AS), to the point that later generations were surprised even to hear reports transmitted by the Prophet's own companions.- When asked whether Ali (AS) had participated in the Battle of Badr, al-Barra bin Azib affirmed it simply with "Indeed" — a question that itself reflects how obscured such basic facts had become.- Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas told al-Harith bin Malik in Mecca that he had witnessed four merits of Imam Ali (AS), any one of which he would have cherished for a lifetime as long as Prophet Nuh's (AS).- Those four merits included Ali (AS) being sent to convey Allah's ultimatum to the Mushrikin of Mecca after Jibra'il specified it must come from the Prophet (s) or his own family; the closing of all doors into the Prophet's Mosque except those of the Prophet (s) and Ali (AS); the Prophet's description of Ali (AS) at Khaybar as one who loves and is loved by Allah and His Messenger; and the hadith of Ghadir declaring "Whomsoever's master I am, Ali is also his master."- At Tabuk, the Prophet (s) told Imam Ali (AS) that his status was the same as that of Prophet Harun (AS) to Prophet Musa (AS).- Harith bin Uthman al-Himsi, who blamed Imam Ali (AS) for the deaths of his ancestors at Siffin, attempted to corrupt this hadith by changing "Harun" to "Qarun."- Abu Sa'id al-Khudari confirmed to Abdullah bin Alqamah, who habitually vilified Imam Ali (AS), that he had personally heard the hadith of Ghadir from the Prophet (s), affirming that his ears heard it and his heart understood it.- Sulayman bin Mihran al-A'mash, a narrator who lived through the transition from Banu Umayyah to Banu Abbas, transmitted hadith at-tayr from Anas bin Malik, in which the Prophet (s) prayed for the person most beloved to Allah and His Messenger to join him, and Imam Ali (AS) arrived.- Al-A'mash also narrated Imam Ali's (AS) statement identifying himself as "qasimu 'n-nar," the one who will divide people between Hellfire and Paradise, a report he affirmed on his deathbed by citing Abu Sa'id al-Khudari's linking of the Prophet (s) and Ali (AS) to Qur'an 50:23.- When Abu Hanifah's followers pressed Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal to reject the "qasimu 'n-nar" narration, he defended it by reasoning from the hadith that only a believer loves Ali (AS) and only a hypocrite hates him, concluding that Ali (AS) therefore does divide people between Paradise and Hellfire.- Historical accounts describe hostile reactions to these narrations, including a report that some who heard al-A'mash narrate the hadith of the roasted bird removed him from the mosque and washed the spot, and that Imam an-Nasa'i was violently attacked after he could find no merit to cite for Mu'awiyah.- This history of suppressed merits places a duty on believers to actively spread the merits of the Ahlul Bayt and to openly disavow their enemies through la'n.- Qays bin Musahhar as-Saydawi, Imam Husayn's (AS) last messenger to the Shi'a of Kufa, tore up and swallowed his letter when captured so Ibn Ziyad could not learn the names within it; given the choice between death or cursing Imam Husayn (AS) from the pulpit, he instead publicly praised Imam Husayn (AS) and cursed Ibn Ziyad, exemplifying the practice of la'n against the enemies of the Ahlul Bayt.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaAugust 21st, 2026- In daily prayers, Muslims ask Allah for continued guidance to remain on the sirat mustaqim, the straight path.- One dimension of the straight path is avoiding two extremes: being among maghdub 'alayhim (those under Allah's wrath) or ad-dallin (those who are misguided).- Judaism and Christianity illustrate this pattern regarding the status of Prophet Isa (Jesus): one tradition lowers him to an ordinary man who betrayed his own faith, while the other elevates him beyond his true station.- Islam takes the middle path, honoring Prophet Isa as one of the great messengers of Allah without exaggeration or diminishment.- Moderation also governs personal conduct at the practical level, and Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) offers guidance on living a balanced life.- Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) taught: "I urge you to exercise moderation and warn you against extravagance," addressing financial matters such as spending within one's means and avoiding debt, while allowing credit cards as a tool of convenience rather than excess.- Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) also taught that charity has a limit, and exceeding that limit becomes extravagance (israf).- Qur'an 17:26-30 instructs believers to give relatives, the needy, and travelers their due without wasteful spending, warning that squanderers are brothers of the devils.- The same passage instructs against being miserly, holding one's hand tied to one's neck, or being completely open-handed to the point of being left blamed and impoverished, since Allah extends or restricts provision according to His wisdom.- Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) taught that courage also has a limit, and exceeding it becomes recklessness (tahawwur), citing the example of weighing circumstances before choosing between fighting and making a truce, as seen in the conduct of Prophet Muhammad (s) with the Meccans and Imam Hasan (AS) with Mu'awiyah.- Regarding ritual purification, Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS) taught that going beyond the required limit in wudhu or ghusl is comparable to nullifying the purification altogether, reflecting Islam's broader emphasis on moderate use of water even in acts of worship.- Excessive doubt in ritual purification (waswasah) should be ignored rather than indulged, and those experiencing compulsive doubt in such matters are encouraged to seek medical or therapeutic support.- Believers are called to repentance for past sins, seeking Allah's forgiveness as the One who is Forgiving and Merciful toward His servants.- Qur'an 8:60 instructs Muslims to prepare whatever military strength they are able to, including trained horses, in order to deter the enemies of Allah and their own enemies, and promises that whatever is spent for this cause will be repaid in full without injustice.- Qur'an 8:61 instructs that while vigilance and preparedness must be maintained, if the enemy inclines toward peace, Muslims should also incline toward peace and place their trust in Allah, who is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFriday August 14th, 2026- Wednesday's partial eclipse over Canada prompted the announcement to recite salatu 'l-ayat, the prayer connected to Allah's signs.- Before Islam, few understood eclipses; many read them as signs of divine anger and ended up worshipping the moon, sun, rivers, or seas.- Islam places the human being at the top of God's creation, with everything else created to serve humanity (Qur'an 23:14 — "so blessed is Allah, the best of creators").- If natural phenomena cause fear, we should remember they are all Allah's creation and can never be objects of worship.- Salatu 'l-ayat is prescribed for eclipses (solar or lunar, full or partial), earthquakes, or any sky or earth event that instills fear in most people.- Imam Musa al-Kazim (AS) narrates the solar eclipse in Medina on the day the Prophet's son Ibrahim died in 10 AH.- People claimed the eclipse occurred because of Ibrahim's death, attaching false spiritual meaning to a natural event.- The Prophet (s) ascended the mimbar and clarified that the sun and moon are two of Allah's signs, moving obediently by His command.- He stated plainly that they do not eclipse for anyone's death or birth, and that one should pray when an eclipse occurs.- The Prophet then descended and led the people in salatu 'l-ayat, modeling the correct response to such signs.- The core lesson: sun, moon, sea, and river are all ayat under Allah's command — we worship Allah, not His signs.- People past and present exploit such events for gain; Columbus manipulated a lunar eclipse to frighten natives into supplying his ship.- Believers are warned to beware of fake miracle-workers who weaponize ignorance of natural phenomena.- An eclipse can also be understood in a political sense: when the moon covers the sun, day turns to night, and something looms large enough to blot out the truth.- The US–Israel attack on Iran functions as such an eclipse, diverting the world's attention from ongoing aggression in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.- More than 60% of the Gaza Strip remains under Israeli military occupation.- In the West Bank, settlers have grown so brazen in seizing land, destroying property, and harming people that even the US Ambassador to Israel called them "Israeli terrorists"; per the UN, 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed there.- In Lebanon, more than 4,000 have been killed, thousands injured, and 1.2 million displaced, with white phosphorus and incendiary bombs reportedly burning farmland, olive groves, and forests across the south.- The arrogant forget that no deed escapes Allah: even a mustard-seed's weight hidden in rock, heavens, or earth will be brought forth (Qur'an 31:16), for the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection wrong no one (Qur'an 21:47).Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaJune 5th, 2026- Eid al-Ghadir celebrates the completion and perfection of Islam, as reflected in Qur'an 5:3, and affirms the continued relevance of Islam through the institution of ijtihad.- The khutbah honored the late Grand Ayatullah Shaykh Ishaq Fayyaz, who passed away in Najaf at the age of 96.- Najaf's senior maraji' represented diverse backgrounds: Ayatullah Sayyid Saeed al-Hakim (Iraqi), Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani (Iranian), Shaykh Ishaq Fayyaz (Afghani), and Ayatullah Shaykh Bashir Najafi (Pakistani).- These scholars were leading students of Ayatullah Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei and contributed significantly to Shi'a scholarship.- Despite independent legal opinions, the senior maraji' remained united on major socio-political issues affecting Iraq.- During the ISIS crisis, Ayatullah Sistani's call to defend Iraq was collectively supported by the other maraji', demonstrating unity of leadership.- Ayatullah al-Hakim emphasized that Ayatullah Sistani's statement alone was sufficient because he represented their collective voice.- In his condolence message, Ayatullah Sistani described Ayatullah Fayyaz as "a chosen brother."- A personal meeting with Ayatullah Fayyaz highlighted his encouragement for Muslims to participate actively in political systems.- He argued that Muslims should engage at all levels of government rather than limiting themselves to advisory roles.- Ayatullah Fayyaz cited the influence of the Jewish community in the United States as an example of how political participation can amplify a community's voice.- The speaker stressed that political involvement in Canada helps Muslims reduce challenges facing both the present and future generations.- Canadian Muslim advocacy succeeded in bringing attention to Islamophobia, leading to the appointment of Amira Elghawaby under the previous government.- Concerns were raised about Mark Carney replacing the Islamophobia office with a broader advisory council and the symbolism surrounding its launch and leadership.- Recent research from York University's Islamophobia Research Hub indicates continuing discrimination, marginalization, and workplace inequality experienced by Muslims in Canada.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaMay 1st, 2026- United Nations was founded to uphold peace through justice, where all nations are equally subject to law- The veto power of the five permanent members—United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China—undermines fairness and weakens global justice- Qur’anic principle (5:8, 4:135) emphasizes justice even toward those one dislikes, rejecting bias and selective morality- Global double standards exist: some nations’ sensitivities are prioritized while Muslim concerns are often ignored- Incident of Israeli soldiers damaging a statue of Jesus Christ sparked immediate global outrage and accountability- International pressure led Israel to apologize, investigate, and punish the soldiers involved- In contrast, more severe violations against Palestinian human beings in Gaza Strip and West Bank remain largely unaddressed- 'Action on Armed Violence' reported that 88% of such cases were closed or unresolved- Reports of abuse and rising settler violence highlight systemic lack of accountability- After the Conquest of Mecca, Prophet Muhammad publicly disassociated from wrongdoings by Khalid ibn al-Walid- He sent Imam Ali to compensate victims fully, demonstrating immediate justice and moral responsibility- Attack on a school in Minab killed 168 people, including 110 children, yet lacked timely accountability- Donald Trump gave inconsistent responses and shifted blame despite emerging evidence- Reduction of civilian harm oversight reflects disregard for innocent lives in conflict zones- Instruction of Imam Ali to Malik al-Ashtar emphasizes mercy: people are either brothers in faith or equals in humanityDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaApril 24th, 2026- Justice Is The True Measure Of A Nation’s Humanity, Especially In How It Treats Society's Weakest and Most Vulnerable- Islam Emphasizes Fairness Even Toward Those We Dislike Or Oppose- Qur’an 5:8 Commands Believers To Uphold Justice Without Letting Hatred Lead To Injustice- True Taqwa Is Demonstrated By Being Just, Not By Emotional Or Political Bias- International Humanitarian Law Also Affirms Protection Of Non-Combatants Like Journalists And Paramedics in Gaza and Lebanon- Reports Indicate High Numbers Of Journalists Killed In Recent Conflicts Since October 7, 2023- Injuries And Imprisonment Of Media Workers Further Reflect The Scale Of Harm- Attacks On Medical Personnel And Ambulances Violate Basic Humanitarian Principles- “Triple-Tap” Strikes On Rescue Teams Highlight Severe Ethical Violations In Warfare- Some International Leaders And Figures Have Condemned Such Actions, Though Responses Remain Limited- Qur’an 4:135 Expands Justice To Personal Responsibility, Even Against Oneself Or Loved Ones- Islam Rejects Bias Based On Wealth, Status, Or Personal Interest In Delivering Justice- A Story Of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Demonstrates Practical Justice In GovernanceDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaApril 10th, 2026- Recent global tensions, highlighting a halted threat of major destruction against Iran- Criticism of statements and behavior attributed to Donald Trump regarding genocidal threats toward Iran- Notable backlash from U.S. political figures including Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders questioning US leadership stability- Emphasis on Christian teachings of forgiveness and love, contrasted with war rhetoric- Qur’anic reference to those misled by Shaytan used to frame reckless leadership- Continued violence despite a fragile ceasefire, especially Israeli strikes in Beirut causing mass casualties- Dispute over whether Lebanon is included in the ceasefire agreement- Mediation efforts by Pakistan affirm Lebanon’s inclusion- Commentary by Robert Malley suggesting U.S. inconsistency in enforcing ceasefire terms- International pressure from Western allies calling for a comprehensive ceasefire including Lebanon- Historical significance of Jabal Amil as a center of Shi‘a scholarship and refuge- Explanation of scholarly migration from Lebanon and Iraq to Iran during the Safavid era- Strong emphasis on unity of the Shi‘a community through wilayah, symbolized by the hadith of the Ahlul BaytDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaApril 3rd, 2026- Good Friday reflection introduced through remarks attributed to Pope Leo XIV about Jesus as the King of Peace- Emphasis that Jesus Christ rejects war and does not accept prayers from those who engage in violence- Qur’anic parallel from Qur’an (2:275) used to describe moral confusion driven by greed and false equivalence- Criticism of politicians using religion to justify war, including Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth- Double standard highlighted: Muslims labeled extremists for religious justification while others are not- Reference to teachings from the Gospel of Matthew advocating nonviolence and forgiveness- Incident where Christian leaders were prevented from entering Church of the Holy Sepulchre during Palm Sunday by Israeli authorities- Statement by Mark Carney criticizing violations of Jerusalem’s religious status quo- Ongoing restrictions on Palestinian Muslims at Al-Aqsa Mosque highlighted as religious injustice- Call to action encouraging advocacy and letter writing regarding denial of worship rights- Mention of Israeli military actions including attack in Lebanon’s Baqaa valley targeting worshippers- Broader moral framing of leaders acting without ethical limits compared to Qur’anic description of spiritual confusion within these types of people- Strong criticism of Donald Trump for inconsistency and lack of decorum- Tensions within NATO and criticism from Emmanuel Macron calling for stability and serious leadership- Exploring contradictions in U.S. narrative on Iran’s nuclear program and military actionsDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaMarch 6th, 2026- Iran, The Largest Shi‘a Country, Was Recently Targeted By The United States And Israel, Resulting In Major Loss Of Life And Property.- Among The Tragedies Reported Was The Killing Of 132 Young Girls And 14 Teachers When Airstrikes Hit Shajara-e Tayyeba Primary School In Minab.- The Global Shi‘a Community Is Experiencing Deep Anxiety And Grief, Especially Because Many Shi‘as Follow Ayatullah Khamenei As A Marja‘ Taqlid Regardless Of His Political Role.- The Stated Justification For The Attack—Iran’s Nuclear Program—Is Criticized As Flawed Because The Original Agreement Reached Under Barack Obama Was Torn Up By Donald Trump During His First Presidency.- Negotiations Restarted Later But Were Repeatedly Disrupted By Israeli Military Actions Despite Claims Of Progress By Mediators Such As The Omani Foreign Minister.- Reports Suggest That Plans For The Conflict Were Agreed Upon Earlier Between Donald Trump And Benjamin Netanyahu, With Later Negotiations Possibly Serving As A Deception.- Statements From U.S. Officials Indicating Iran “Will Return” To Enrichment Are Evidence That The Nuclear Threat Used To Justify War May Not Currently Exist.- Political Leaders Who Expressed Sympathy For American Soldiers While Remaining Silent About The Deaths Of Young Iranian Schoolchildren is Problematic- Condemning Iranian Dissidents Who Offered Condolences To U.S. Soldiers But Did Not Mention The Killed Students.- In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney Initially Criticized Unchecked Global Power At The World Economic Forum But Later Expressed Support For U.S. Actions Against Iran.- Former Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy Described This Shift As A Serious Contradiction In Canada’s Foreign Policy And A Departure From International Law Principles.- Under The UN Charter, Military Force Is Only Permitted With Security Council Approval Or Immediate Self-Defence, Conditions That Critics Argue Were Not Met In This Case.- The Situation Is Compared With Canada’s 2003 Decision Not To Join The Iraq War Because Of Similar Concerns About Preventive War And Lack Of Legal Authorization.- Encouraging People To Respond Through Lawful Civic Engagement Such As Signing Petitions And Participating In Peaceful Anti-War Demonstrations.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFebruary 27th, 2026- One of the most important moral lessons of fasting is developing truthfulness and integrity in speech- Among the ten acts forbidden during fasting, most relate to physical desires, but falsely attributing lies to Allāh, the Prophets, or the Imāms holds unique spiritual severity- Truthfulness forms the foundation of human character and personal credibility- The Prophet Muhammad (ṣ) was known as aṣ-Ṣādiq and al-Amīn even before prophethood, showing that moral integrity precedes religious leadership- Truthfulness is required in family life, social relations, business dealings, and international agreements- Political hypocrisy and contradictory global policies are presented as modern examples of the consequences of dishonesty- Modern examples highlight the consequences of dishonesty, such as U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East under President Trump, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear program- Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear program had been destroyed, despite repeated Iranian statements confirming they would never develop nuclear weapons- Qur’ānic verses warn against those who claim reform while spreading corruption unknowingly- Lying is always ḥarām, but lying about divine authorities invalidates the fast, highlighting the elevated status of truth- Ordinary lies weaken the spiritual value of fasting even if they do not nullify it- Imām aṣ-Ṣādiq (a) teaches that people should be judged by truthfulness and trustworthiness rather than outward worship alone- The status of Imām ʿAlī (a) near the Prophet (ṣ) was achieved through truthful speech and fulfillment of trusts- Supplications of the Imāms prioritize truthfulness and fulfilling trusts even before acts of worship- True followers are instructed to combine taqwā, struggle for Allah, honesty, and safeguarding trusts- Maintaining good relations with others and sincerity in conduct reflects the teachings brought by the Prophet (ṣ)- Fasting ultimately aims to reform moral character, with ṣidq serving as its central pillarDonate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFebruary 20th, 2026- The community has once again been blessed with the holy month of Ramadhān, with most of the Muslim world beginning on Thursday due to crescent sighting criteria, unlike Saudi Arabia and those who follow it.- The revised ṣalāt timetable has been adopted from LEWA’s official source (www.nojumi.org), and believers are encouraged to exercise precaution in fasting and fajr timing.- The Prophet Muḥammad (s) describes Ramadhān as the month of Allāh, filled with blessings, mercy, and forgiveness, where every moment is superior to all other times.- Believers are invited as guests of Allāh, where even breathing is tasbīḥ, sleep is worship, deeds are accepted, and du‘ā is answered.- Sincere intentions and pure hearts are required to fully benefit from fasting and recitation of the Qur’ān.- The most unfortunate person is one deprived of Allāh’s forgiveness in this great month.- Ramadhān is not only personal worship but also social responsibility.- Hunger and thirst should remind believers of the Day of Judgment.- Charity must be given to the poor and needy within the community.- Elders must be respected and the young shown mercy.- Family ties must be maintained and strengthened.- Tongues, eyes, and ears must be guarded from what is impermissible.- Compassion toward orphans brings divine compassion in return.- The month calls for both spiritual elevation and moral discipline.- Believers are urged to pray nightly for Muslims, especially Shi‘as in the Middle East, seeking peace through negotiation rather than war.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFebruary 13th, 2026- We are five days away from the blessed month of Ramaḍān and a slight adjustment to the ṣalāt timings will take effect from the start of the month.- The old timetable, revised in the 1990s in consultation with scholars in Toronto, used astronomical twilight for fajr, but its characteristics were closer to false dawn (al-fajr al-kāzib).- With the availability of Shī‘a-based programs from the LEWA Institute in Qum and the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Tehran, a more refined criterion is now possible.- Based on long-term observation, the LEWA Institute’s standard is preferred because it aligns with what an average person can discern naturally, in line with sharī‘ah principles.- The Open Fajr Project in Birmingham used 360-degree cameras and over 25,000 images to develop an observation-based fajr timetable accepted by both Shī‘a and Sunni mosques.- For now, out of iḥtiyāṭ, LEWA’s fajr time has been adopted for ṣalāt, with imsāk set five minutes earlier to ensure proper fasting.- This adjustment was shared and discussed with scholars of the GTA and reflected in the JCC Ramaḍān guide.- Moving from astronomical fajr to the eschatological fajr, the current global political disorder reflects a world where power operates without moral constraint.- In such times, believers long for the reappearance of Imām al-Mahdi (a) to establish justice and end tyranny, supported by the return of Prophet ‘Īsā (Jesus), who will pray behind him.- The du‘ā from Imām al-Mahdi (a) is divided into a general section and supplications for fifteen segments of society.- After discussing the preamble and themes related to the tongue, heart, belly, and hands, the focus shifted to lowering the gaze.- The misuse of the eyes is a breach of trust, especially in an age of technology where immorality is easily accessible.- The Qur’ānic command in Sūrat al-Nūr (24:30–31) first instructs believing men, then believing women, to lower their gaze and guard their modesty.- Despite scientific advancement, moral decline in gender relations is evident in Western societies, seen in movements like #MeToo and scandals such as the Jeffrey Epstein case.- A ḥadīth qudsī reminds that Allāh has given humans natural restraints—eyelids and lips—to help control the eyes, tongue, and desires from falling into ḥarām.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaFebruary 6th, 2026• The coming week marks the birth anniversary of the living Imām of our time, Imām Muḥammad al-Mahdi (a).• The Prophet (s) foretold that with the appearance of the Mahdi, the world will be filled with justice and peace after being filled with injustice and tyranny.• Justice is a central divine objective, and Allāh sent the prophets so that people may establish justice, as stated in Qur’ān 57:25.• On a global scale, modern superpowers display clear hypocrisy by selectively supporting international justice only when it serves their interests.• One of the primary responsibilities of any government is to ensure the basic needs of its people are met.• Imām ‘Ali (a), despite ruling only five years and facing multiple rebellions, established a level of social justice still remembered today.• Under Imām ‘Ali’s rule, even the poorest in Kufa had food, shelter, and access to water, reflecting true governance based on justice.• External pressure, sanctions, and enemies do not absolve officials from ensuring basic necessities, especially food security.• Senior marāji‘ in Qum expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s economic policies and harsh social approaches during a parliamentary visit.• Ayatullah Makarim Shirazi emphasized that the marāji‘ repeatedly admonish the government, even if official media ignores their statements.• Genuine public frustration and protest can be understood, but mass misinformation and manipulation by hostile forces must also be recognized.• Enemies exploit public grievances to divert sincere protests toward destructive ends.• Criticizing or removing an official does not imply weakness in faith or character, only incapacity to fulfill specific duties.• Imām ‘Ali (a) set an example of praising sincere individuals while also holding them accountable for failures in responsibility.• The case of Kumayl bin Ziyād shows that strong faith and loyalty do not guarantee administrative competence, highlighting the need for proper oversight and role assignment.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Thursday Night MajlisFebruary 5th, 2026Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Friday Juma KhutbaJanuary 30th, 2026• The coming week marks the birth anniversary of the living Imām of our time, Imām Muḥammad al-Mahdi (a).• The Prophet (s) foretold that with the appearance of the Mahdi, the world will be filled with justice and peace after being filled with injustice and tyranny.• Justice is a central divine objective, and Allāh sent the prophets so that people may establish justice, as stated in Qur’ān 57:25.• On a global scale, modern superpowers display clear hypocrisy by selectively supporting international justice only when it serves their interests.• One of the primary responsibilities of any government is to ensure the basic needs of its people are met.• Imām ‘Ali (a), despite ruling only five years and facing multiple rebellions, established a level of social justice still remembered today.• Under Imām ‘Ali’s rule, even the poorest in Kufa had food, shelter, and access to water, reflecting true governance based on justice.• External pressure, sanctions, and enemies do not absolve officials from ensuring basic necessities, especially food security.• Senior marāji‘ in Qum expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s economic policies and harsh social approaches during a parliamentary visit.• Ayatullah Makarim Shirazi emphasized that the marāji‘ repeatedly admonish the government, even if official media ignores their statements.• Genuine public frustration and protest can be understood, but mass misinformation and manipulation by hostile forces must also be recognized.• Enemies exploit public grievances to divert sincere protests toward destructive ends.• Criticizing or removing an official does not imply weakness in faith or character, only incapacity to fulfill specific duties.• Imām ‘Ali (a) set an example of praising sincere individuals while also holding them accountable for failures in responsibility.• The case of Kumayl bin Ziyād shows that strong faith and loyalty do not guarantee administrative competence, highlighting the need for proper oversight and role assignment.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)

Thursday Night MajlisJanuary 29, 2026Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)