10:42 take initiative be…28:56 studies show that when…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 23, 2025.

Own your choices and do good

ISWV

“Take initiative, be self-determined, refuse apathy.”

The khateeb, at 10:42

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Believers should cultivate azima, self-determined resolve, by owning their choices, building needed competence, and caring beyond themselves, drawing lessons from Surah al-Kahf and Palestinian steadfastness.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Opens with grief over Gaza and the spiritual obligation to feel the ummah's pain while learning from Palestinian faith and resilience.
  2. Introduces azima as self-determination: choosing faithful action rather than apathy amid circumstances beyond one's control.
  3. Uses four Surah al-Kahf stories to illustrate initiative, truth, knowledge-seeking, and persistent good.
  4. Connects the surah's conclusion to personal accountability: each person must do good and cannot shift responsibility to others.
  5. Applies self-determination theory through autonomy, competence, and relatedness, linking concern for others to purpose and emotional well-being.
  6. Closes with supplications for forgiveness, guidance, relief for the oppressed, and becoming a cause of good.
Try this week
Recite Surah al-Kahf regularly, especially its first ten verses.
Reject apathy by taking initiative toward good.
Take ownership of personal choices rather than blaming others.
Build the skills needed for one's responsibilities and goals.
Care for others and make a positive impact beyond personal needs.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18Its four stories are used to teach initiative, faithfulness, knowledge-seeking, perseverance, and resistance to apathy.
Surah 14A verse about Shaytan denying responsibility is used to emphasize personal accountability for one's choices.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“take initiative be self-determined refuse apathy refuse to be apathetic this attitude or feeling that i am powerless and that i lack any type of influence in the world”
ISWV · Canoga Park, CA
Play from 10:42
“studies show that when you go beyond yourself and you start to make impact in the world around you however little that is it has a direct impact on your emotional state”
ISWV · Canoga Park, CA
Play from 28:56
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

This khutbah begins by acknowledging the pain of Gaza and the strength of people who keep their faith under terrible pressure. It teaches azima, or determined resolve, as the choice to keep doing good instead of becoming apathetic. The four stories of Surah al-Kahf show people protecting faith, speaking truth, seeking useful knowledge, and persevering in righteous work. We can build this resolve by owning our choices, learning the skills we need, and caring about people beyond ourselves. The khutbah ends by asking Allah to forgive us, guide our families and communities, help the oppressed, and make us a cause of good.

  1. What is one good thing you can take initiative on this week?
  2. How can we help someone beyond our immediate family?
  3. What skill would help you do more good?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Society of West Valley7060 Owensmouth Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91304ArchiveAll khutbahs at ISWV9 khutbahs
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