12:03 Whomever is protected…38:05 Knowledge, ilm should…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, May 2, 2026.

Guard your heart from greed, desire, and pride

IOK · Hassan Elwan

“Knowledge, ilm should increase me only in humility, not the opposite.”

The khateeb, at 38:05

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that personal and social well-being begins with disciplining the heart against obeyed greed, followed desire, and self-admiration through generosity, revealed guidance, and humility.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Connects outward disorder to unaddressed inner traits.
  2. Introduces the Prophet’s three destructive qualities: obeyed greed, followed whims, and self-admiration.
  3. Explains shuh and prescribes generosity with time, effort, attention, and money.
  4. Explains hawa as treating personal preference as truth, with sharia as its corrective.
  5. Explains ujb as attributing Allah’s blessings to oneself, producing arrogance.
  6. Closes with mujahadah, humility, gratitude, and prayer for purified hearts.
Try this week
Give not only money, but also time, effort, attention, and companionship.
Volunteer, help clean the masjid, sit with an elderly person, and listen attentively to family.
Pause before following a desire or opinion, and seek guidance from sharia, the Qur’an, Sunnah, and qualified scholars.
Return attention to prayer when distracted, treating the struggle as mujahadah.
Accept correction from anyone and remember that every blessing comes from Allah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Whomever is protected from the shuh, this inner greed and miserness of the self. Those are the people that attain success.”
IOK · Diamond Bar, CA
Play from 12:03
“Knowledge, ilm should increase me only in humility, not the opposite.”
IOK · Diamond Bar, CA
Play from 38:05
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that what happens inside our hearts affects how we treat people around us. He warned against obeying greed, following our whims, and becoming overly impressed with ourselves. Having a selfish feeling does not make us a bad person; choosing to work against it is part of growing in good character. We can practice generosity by sharing our time, helping with a task, and listening carefully, as well as giving money. He encouraged us to follow Allah's guidance even when our preferences pull another way, accept good advice from anyone, and remember that every good thing we have is a gift from Allah.

  1. What could you share this week besides money or belongings?
  2. When a selfish feeling shows up, what could help you choose a kind action?
  3. What is something helpful you have learned from someone younger than you?
Where it was given

The masjid

Institute of Knowledge1009 Vía Sorella, Diamond Bar, CA 91789KhateebHassan ElwanMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IOK58 khutbahs
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