4:52 our goal to please…7:12 if you fail to plan…
General remindersFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 3, 2026.

Positive change starts with clear goals

El-Zahra · Moutaz Charaf

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

The khateeb, at 7:12

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In one sentence

Positive change begins with knowledge, a clear goal of pleasing Allah and reaching Jannah, disciplined action, and constructive methods such as forgiveness, justice, dialogue, and good example.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Ignore people's criticism and avoid meddling in matters that do not concern you.
  2. Learn from others' mistakes and develop will before suffering humiliation, loss, or regret.
  3. Define life's goal as pleasing Allah and reaching Jannah, then turn it into daily, weekly, and monthly plans.
  4. Visualize the desired end, avoid distractions and harmful choices, and initiate change while relying on Allah.
  5. Help others change through forgiveness, justice, unity, hope, dialogue, kind words, service, and personal example.
  6. Conclude with prayers for suffering Muslims and a brief announcement about a Syria drive.
Try this week
Set an intention to change bad habits and define the goal of pleasing Allah and reaching Jannah.
Create daily, weekly, and monthly plans that move toward the goal.
Visualize the desired end and identify choices, people, and actions that could divert you.
Learn from others' mistakes instead of waiting for painful consequences.
Use forgiveness, justice, dialogue, kind words, service, and good example to create positive change.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“our goal to please Allah our goal to go to jannah we are here to worship Allah make your goal clear define it”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 4:52
“if you fail to plan you plan to fail if you don't plan for yourself someone else will plan for you”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 7:12
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that real change starts with knowing what is right and choosing to act for Allah, not for people's approval. We should set a clear goal, to please Allah and seek Jannah, and turn it into practical daily plans. Mistakes are part of learning, but repeating them or waiting for painful loss is avoidable. We can help change our families and communities through forgiveness, justice, kind words, thoughtful dialogue, and good examples. The imam closed with prayers for suffering Muslims and thanks for families supporting a Syria drive.

  1. What is one good change you would like to plan for this week?
  2. How can forgiveness or kind words change a difficult situation?
  3. What goal helps guide the choices you make?
Where it was given

The masjid

El-Zahra Islamic Center218 Irving Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432Jumu'ah 1st 1:00 to 1:45 PM (streamed to YouTube) · 2nd 2:00 to 2:30 PMKhateebMoutaz CharafMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at El-Zahra48 khutbahs
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