25:35 ihsan is that the…30:09 you pick up the phone…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 29, 2025.

Choose halal and practice everyday excellence

Al-Shareef

“You worship Allah in such a manner as if you see Him though you don't see Him but know that He is seeing you.”

The khateeb, at 25:35

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Islam guides every area of life, calling Muslims to choose halal food, avoid doubtful matters, worship Allah with awareness of His watchfulness, and practice everyday excellence toward others.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Opens by urging fear of Allah, preservation of family ties, truthful speech, and adherence to the Quran and Sunnah.
  2. Explains that Islamic guidance applies to prayer, business, relationships, family responsibilities, and food.
  3. Uses Surah al-Baqarah 2:173 to identify forbidden foods and urges caution about questionable meat.
  4. Discusses why the speaker considers certain kosher and Christian-slaughtered foods impermissible for Muslims.
  5. Introduces ihsan through Surah al-Nahl 16:90 and the Hadith of Jibreel.
  6. Illustrates ihsan through Imam al-Ghazali's story and small acts of kindness toward lonely people and the community.
  7. Closes by urging sincere prayer with awareness that Allah is watching.
Try this week
Preserve family ties and avoid cutting off relatives.
Study Surah al-Baqarah 2:173 and learn which foods and slaughtering practices are halal or haram.
Avoid food when its halal status is ambiguous rather than guessing.
Pray with ihsan by consciously remembering that Allah sees you.
Take opportunities to answer someone, speak kindly with a lonely person, and help at the masjid.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariA story of a man who feared Allah and was forgiven, illustrating fear that brings a person closer to Allah.
Quran 2:173Used to identify forbidden food categories, including carrion, blood, pork, and animals dedicated to other than Allah.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to define ihsan as worshipping Allah as though seeing Him while knowing that He sees you.
Quran 16:90Presented as a summary of justice, excellence, kinship, and prohibitions against indecency, wrongdoing, and transgression.
Surah 31Mentioned as Quranic guidance for social conduct, including not raising one's voice.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“ihsan is that the source mentioned you pray to Allah you worship Allah in such a manner as if you see Him though you don't see Him but know that He is seeing you”
Al-Shareef · Long Beach, CA
Play from 25:35
“you pick up the phone and five minutes you speak nicely with the person on the other side”
Al-Shareef · Long Beach, CA
Play from 30:09
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Reza reminded us that fear of Allah is a loving fear that draws us closer to Him. He spoke about halal and haram food, urging listeners to study the guidance and avoid choices they find doubtful. He then explained ihsan, or excellence, as worshipping with the awareness that Allah sees us even though we do not see Him. His everyday examples included listening to someone who is lonely and volunteering to help people at the masjid. He encouraged us to notice opportunities to give a little extra care, because even a small act may be accepted by Allah.

  1. What could help you remember that Allah sees you during your next prayer?
  2. Who might appreciate five minutes of your attention this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Al-Shareef2104 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806Jumu'ah 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Al-Shareef43 khutbahs
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