3:53 When Allah subhanahu…14:06 the greatest sign that…24:50 the only way you will…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 11, 2026.

Righteous public life begins with self-examination

IECOC

“When Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala disappears from the center of life, everything else begins to lose its proper place.”

The khateeb, at 3:53

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Muslims should use remembrance of Allah and honest self-examination to restore the soul’s proper place, then apply that accountability to their communities and society while participating righteously in public life.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Forgetting Allah causes people to lose sight of their souls and purpose.
  2. Dhikr, salah, solitude, and character work restore perspective beyond status or possessions.
  3. The 25th anniversary of 9/11 calls Americans and Muslims to examine national history and its consequences.
  4. Imam Ali’s teachings are applied from individual self-mastery to governmental and societal accountability.
  5. The khutbah challenges fear-based anti-immigrant narratives and warns about manipulative digital systems and AI.
  6. Listeners are urged to remain engaged righteously, support accountability, protect families, and pray for victims.
Try this week
Practice dhikr, salah, and solitude to restore perspective.
Regularly examine one’s actions, character, and spiritual state through muhasabah.
Participate in society righteously rather than withdrawing from it.
Hold oneself and public leaders accountable while supporting and encouraging them.
Protect children, families, hearts, and minds from propaganda and manipulative digital influences.
Remember victims of violence and suffering people in prayer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 59:19Warns that forgetting Allah leads people to forget themselves.
Quran 33:41-42Commands abundant remembrance of Allah; used to explain how dhikr restores perspective.
Quran 59:18Calls each soul to examine what it has prepared for tomorrow; basis for muhasabah.
Quran 59:9Describes believers loving and welcoming immigrants; used to challenge fear-based anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Quran 13:11Says change in a people begins with change within themselves; used to close with collective accountability.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“When Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala disappears from the center of life, everything else begins to lose its proper place.”
IECOC · Costa Mesa, CA
Play from 3:53
“the greatest sign that He will send us is the ability to self-reflect and self-criticize and correct our course”
IECOC · Costa Mesa, CA
Play from 14:06
“the only way you will be successful is if you righteously participate in it”
IECOC · Costa Mesa, CA
Play from 24:50
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah begins by reminding us that when we forget Allah, we can lose sight of our own soul and purpose. Dhikr, prayer, solitude, character-building, and honest self-examination help restore perspective and keep life from being ruled by status, money, or possessions. Reflecting on 9/11, the speaker asks both Americans and Muslims to examine the consequences of national choices, welcome immigrants, and hold leaders and ourselves accountable. We are encouraged to stay engaged in society with righteousness, guard our minds and families from manipulative influences, and remember suffering people in our prayers.

  1. What is one habit that helps you remember what matters most?
  2. How can our family participate in society while staying thoughtful and righteous?
  3. What does holding ourselves and our leaders accountable look like in everyday life?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Educational Center of Orange County3194-B Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626ArchiveAll khutbahs at IECOC44 khutbahs
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