GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Gratitude means caring for people and creation
“Our change in attitudes will dramatically change our actions.”
In one sentence
Because Allah created humans with intellect, honor, purpose, and accountability, gratitude requires Muslims to live as caretakers and guide others toward what is right rather than pursuing only private rewards.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Contrasts humans with animals, emphasizing intellect, divine honor, purpose, and accountability.
- Uses Quranic blessings to frame gratitude and human responsibility.
- Warns that beliefs shape actions and critiques harmful social practices and destruction in Gaza.
- Urges Muslims to act as caretakers, speak up, and engage people who lack a sense of purpose.
- Uses the two-deck boat hadith to illustrate shared responsibility and closes with calling people to Allah.
Try this week
Ask people around you a simple question about the purpose of life.
Offer a Quran and invite interested people to discuss their questions.
Within your means, speak about the difference between the moral path Muslims should follow and harmful social directions.
Act as a caretaker of the earth and community rather than a silent observer or plunderer.
Take responsibility for protecting your family, future generations, and wider society from communal harm.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 36Cited cattle as created for human benefit and use.
Surah 17Used to establish human honor and preference among creation.
Surah 23Used to argue that humans were created with purpose and will return to Allah.
Surah 14Used to emphasize that Allah's blessings cannot be counted and human beings are often ungrateful.
Sahih al-BukhariThe two-deck boat parable illustrates collective responsibility to prevent communal harm.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“But there is a major difference. That major difference is Allah has given us brain.”
“our change in attitudes will dramatically change our actions. And that action will affect everyone.”
“So a simple question, a simple question can open their mind to think, what am I doing? What is the purpose for my life?”
“It is not just the people in the bottom deck. Everyone, people in the upper deck and the bottom deck, everyone is doomed to die and perish.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that being human is a blessing because Allah gave us intellect, purpose, and accountability. Gratitude is not only saying thanks; it means living responsibly and caring for the people and world around us. The speaker urges Muslims to ask others about life’s purpose, offer guidance when welcomed, and avoid becoming silent while harmful choices spread. The boat story reminds us that everyone shares responsibility for protecting the community from harm.
- What do you think is the purpose of your life?
- How can our family be caretakers of others this week?
- When can a simple question help someone think more deeply?
Keep listening
More on Gratitude
ICI · Irving, TX · Oct 24, 2026Thank Allah in ease and hardship“Even in moments of difficulty, when it feels like there's nothing going your way, there is always something to be grateful for.”
Either we're receiving a blessing, which calls for shukr, or we're going through a hardship, which calls for sabr.13:29Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA · Sep 19, 2026Gratitude and patience carry believers through life
Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well