Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 5, 2026.
True jihad begins with the self
IONA · Atef Alnagar
“The first thing you have to learn about jihad is not fighting the people.”
In one sentence
The khutbah argues that genuine jihad is disciplined striving against the self through worship, knowledge, truth, service, and consistent action, while fighting is a last and conditional matter.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Opens with praise of Allah and calls to taqwa.
- Explains that jihad is commonly misunderstood and begins with battling one's own desires.
- Expands jihad to learning, conveying truth, helping the weak, and serving those in need.
- Uses Qur'anic themes of two paths, self-accountability, sincerity, and the strong believer.
- Applies the message to consistent worship, especially praying five times daily on time.
- Urges simple habits, obedience to Allah's commands, avoiding riba, and responsible use of wealth.
- Concludes by placing fighting disbelievers and hypocrites last, with conditions, followed by supplication.
Try this week
Struggle against personal desires and hold yourself accountable.
Learn religious knowledge and act on it.
Convey the message, speak truthfully, and help weak or needy people.
Pray five times daily on time, including at the masjid when possible.
Begin with simple, consistent acts of worship and increase gradually.
Avoid riba and obey Allah's explicit commands.
Treat wealth as a trust and consider carefully how it is spent.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 29:69Used to argue that striving for Allah brings guidance and includes self-discipline and service.
Surah 92Used to present contrasting paths shaped by generosity, obedience, and selfishness.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“The first thing you have to learn about jihad is not fighting the people. It's not fighting the kubbar. It's not fighting the disbeliever.”
“There is the knowledge conveying the message, saying the truth, helping the weak, helping the needy people.”
“Are you able to maintain it five times a day on the masjid and on time?”
“But the main thing, Allah He wants us to face our own desire and our own lust.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The speaker explained that jihad begins with struggling against our own desires, not attacking other people. He described learning, sharing truth, helping the weak, and helping those in need as forms of striving for Allah. He urged us to begin with simple habits, especially praying five times a day on time. He also reminded us that money is a trust and that we should think carefully about how we spend it.
- What is one desire you could practice managing this week?
- Who is someone nearby you could help with truth, kindness, or practical support?
- What would help you pray more consistently on time?
Keep listening
More on Prayer & worship
The remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is something very powerful.9:18ISCN · Corona, CA · Oct 24, 2026Knowing Allah makes worship joyful
Ali Khan Center · Suitland, MD · Oct 10, 2026Give the weekly prayer your full attention“Don't just time it so you get maybe five-minute kutbah and a five-minute salat, and you're out in 10 minutes.”
Don't set your floor at your peak time, like in Ramadan.19:52Al-Noor · Santa Clara, CA · Oct 24, 2026Build a sustainable spiritual floor