8:56 Because somebody else…12:27 How do you expect to…15:33 You say no to the sin.…16:36 So if you have no need…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Guard your gaze to protect the heart

ISNA Canada (ICC)

“How do you expect to enjoy the beauty of the Quran if your senses are saturated?”

The khateeb, at 12:27

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Algorithmic media can numb and corrupt the heart through the eyes, so Muslims should guard their gaze, reset their attention through prayer and a social-media fast, and reconnect with Allah and family.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The sound heart matters, but algorithmic feeds scatter attention and numb emotional responses.
  2. Lowering the gaze is an individual responsibility, illustrated through the Prophet's response to al-Fudail ibn al-Abbas.
  3. Turning away from distractions preserves faith, wisdom, gratitude, and presence.
  4. Persistent prayer creates a cycle of resisting sin and gaining strength for worship.
  5. A social-media fast should be replaced with family halaqahs, Quran, nature, and wholesome activities.
  6. The khutbah closes by urging listeners to retain compassion for suffering in Gaza and elsewhere.
Try this week
Look away from phone content that corrupts the heart or scatters attention.
Take a social-media fast, especially during time off work or school.
Replace scrolling with family halaqahs, Quran recitation, nature, and wholesome halal activities.
Encourage the family to pray and persist through the difficulty of maintaining prayer.
Focus on salah, knowledge, and cultivating an inner state that draws the heart toward Allah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 20Listeners are told not to stare at worldly adornments and to command their families to pray patiently.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Because somebody else failed their test, it does not mean that you fail your tests. Because somebody else is not living up to the expectation, whether out of ignorance, whether out of need, whatever it may be.”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 8:56
“How do you expect to enjoy the beauty of the Quran if your senses are saturated?”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 12:27
“You say no to the sin. You're able to say yes to the worship. You say yes to the worship. You're able to say no to the sin.”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 15:33
“So if you have no need for it, sit together as a family have a halaqa, recite some Qur'an together”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 16:36
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah says our hearts are shaped by what we repeatedly look at and listen to. Endless scrolling can scatter our emotions and make us less able to appreciate prayer, family, and other blessings. We are responsible for controlling our own eyes and should look away from content that harms the heart. A social-media fast can create room for prayer, Quran, family time, nature, and wholesome fun. The speaker also reminds us not to become numb to the suffering of people in Gaza and elsewhere.

  1. What is one kind of content that makes your mind or heart feel scattered?
  2. What could our family do together instead of scrolling?
  3. How can we stay caring when difficult news appears on our screens?
Where it was given

The masjid

ISNA Canada, Islamic Centre of Canada2200 South Sheridan Way, Mississauga, ON L5J 2M4Jumu'ah Two services · 1:00 PM, 3:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ISNA Canada (ICC)124 khutbahs
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