True success is returning to Allah pure
“The example of a righteous companion and a not so righteous companion is the example of a person who sells perfume and a person who is a blacksmith.”
True success is not wealth or status but returning to Allah with the pure soul He loaned you, achieved by iman confirmed with righteous deeds, as illustrated by the final Facebook message of a masjid guard martyred in San Diego.
The khutbah in 9 steps
- Eid al-Adha comes after hardship and commemorates the sacrifices of Ibrahim and his family
- Three brothers in San Diego sacrificed their lives protecting a school and masjid
- Brother Amin Abdullah's final Facebook post redefines success as returning to Allah with a pure soul
- Quranic success (fawz) is being pushed away from the Fire and admitted into Jannah
- The two conditions for the angels' glad tidings: saying 'Our Lord is Allah' and remaining steadfast
- Iman must be confirmed with deeds; gratitude means using blessings in Allah's pleasure
- One dies as one lived, so a righteous life secures husn al-khatimah
- Good company and years spent in the masjid shape character (perfume-seller vs blacksmith parable)
- Closing dua for the martyrs, the oppressed in Palestine and Sudan, and Muslims worldwide
In the khateeb's words
“whoever gets pushed away from Hellfire and enters into Jannah this is the true success”
“thankful isn't to say Alhamdulillah thankful is to use the ni'mah of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in His pleasure”
“the example of a righteous companion and a not so righteous companion is the example of a person who sells perfume and a person who is a blacksmith”
For the dinner table
This khutbah, given on Eid al-Adha, reminded us that our celebrations come after sacrifice, just as Ibrahim and his family sacrificed for Allah. The khateeb told the story of three brothers in San Diego, including a beloved masjid guard named Amin Abdullah, who gave their lives protecting a school and masjid. Just days before he died, Brother Amin posted that real success is not money or fame but returning to Allah with the pure soul He loaned us at birth. The khateeb explained that Allah defines true success as being saved from the Fire and entering Jannah, and that this requires both faith and good deeds together. He closed by reminding us that we die as we lived, so we should live righteously, keep good company, and stay close to the masjid.
- If someone asked you 'what is success?', what would you say after hearing this khutbah?
- What is one blessing you have that you could use to please Allah this week?
- Who is a 'perfume seller' friend in your life, someone whose company makes you better?
The masjid
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