Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 2, 2026.
Use what Allah gave you to serve
“Our job is to think about what can we do and what can we offer.”
In one sentence
Muslims should stop merely wishing for change and instead use whatever Allah has given them, time, skills, wealth, kindness, or creativity, to serve others and invest in the Hereafter.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah opens with reminders about taqwa, sincere speech, obedience, and accountability before Allah.
- Umar’s conversation about wishes illustrates valuing people and service over material possessions.
- A prophetic teaching defines wisdom as honestly assessing one’s resources and acting for the afterlife.
- Examples including smiling, Abi Dhamdam, and the Prophet’s early mission show that small or unconventional contributions matter.
- Examples of waqf and a Moroccan flight attendant demonstrate creative, lasting service to community needs.
- The sermon closes with New Year action points, daily kindness, and sending abundant salawat on Jumu'ah.
Try this week
Identify the time, skills, wealth, honor, or interests Allah has given you and use them immediately for good.
Smile warmly and greet people as a regular habit.
Hold doors and perform small acts that make others’ lives easier.
Choose a recurring community need, such as masjid cleanliness or repairing equipment, and help sustain it.
Send abundant salawat upon the Prophet throughout the rest of Jumu'ah day.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 1Recited during the prayer portion.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“We need to recognize as Muslims that Allah is the one who creates change. It's not us, it's not our resources, it's not the thing that we do that creates change in the world around us.”
“But our job is not to think about the result. Our job is to think about what can we do and what can we offer.”
“we have to pair that with action. We have to be people who are thinking about what needs in my community can I solve?”
“Maybe it's something as simple as we focus on smiling more in the face of other people. Maybe it's holding the door for other people.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that caring about problems is not enough; we should use what Allah has already given us to help. That gift may be money, time, skills, creativity, a smile, or simply holding a door. The speaker encourages us to look for ways to serve needs repeatedly, like waqf, rather than only helping once. On this blessed Friday and at the start of a new year, we can choose one small good action and send abundant salawat upon the Prophet.
- What is one ability, habit, or resource Allah has given you that could help someone?
- What small kindness could our family make a regular habit?
- What community need could we help with over the next month?
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