17:46 This state of conflict…23:42 There's a fire burning…26:09 We cannot enter…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Faith means serving society, not hiding away

Al Aqsa Community

“We need to carry our neighbors, our people, our co-workers with us to that paradise.”

The khateeb, at 26:09

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because Allah created humans with moral accountability and a purposeful trust, Muslims must move beyond private piety to repair social conflict and seek the worldly and eternal well-being of those around them.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Humans may resemble animals biologically, but Allah makes them morally accountable.
  2. Unlike animals born with survival knowledge, humans learn and are created with a purposeful trust.
  3. Human differences and social conflict form a test requiring believers to build a peaceful, harmonious society.
  4. As the community of the final Prophet, Muslims must witness to humanity rather than settle for private piety.
  5. That witness includes seeking neighbors', coworkers', and even enemies' well-being in this life and the next.
Try this week
Use wealth, food, the body, knowledge, and intellect in service of Allah's purpose.
Work across racial, gender, and wealth differences to build a peaceful, functioning society.
Seek the well-being of neighbors, coworkers, and enemies rather than wishing for their destruction.
Park only where the mosque directs, avoiding streets and the school unless instructed.
Buy a lunch to help finance mosque operations.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 16:78Explains that humans are born without knowledge and learn through family and community.
Quran 2:143Assigns the Muslim community responsibility to bear witness to humanity.
Quran 22:78Calls believers to strive for Allah's cause rather than remain privately pious.
Quran 6:65Warns that neglecting responsibility can bring division, mutual harm, and punishment.
Sahih al-Bukhari
Quran 16:90Closes with the ethical commands of justice, excellence, and care for relatives.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“This state of conflict that we find ourselves surrounded by creates that context in which we are tested.”
Al Aqsa Community · Plainfield, IL
Play from 17:46
“There's a fire burning around us. Not the fire that consumes the combustible material, but that consumes the hearts and minds of people around us.”
Al Aqsa Community · Plainfield, IL
Play from 23:42
“We cannot enter paradise alone. We need to carry our neighbors, our people, our co-workers with us to that paradise.”
Al Aqsa Community · Plainfield, IL
Play from 26:09
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah reminded us that Allah created us with a purpose and holds us responsible for our actions. The khateeb encouraged us to use our knowledge, abilities, and resources to serve that purpose. He explained that our responsibility reaches beyond personal worship into helping build a peaceful society. That means caring for our neighbors and others around us, both in this life and in the hereafter. Even when people do wrong, he urged us to hope for their guidance and return to Allah, and to meet them with compassion.

  1. What is one gift Allah has given you that you could use to help someone this week?
  2. When people around you disagree, what could you do to help them understand each other?
  3. How could you show kindness to someone who has upset you while explaining what hurt?
Where it was given

The masjid

Al Aqsa Community Center17940 S. Bronk Rd, Plainfield, IL 60586Jumu'ah 1st: 1:05 PM 2nd: 2:05 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Al Aqsa Community37 khutbahs
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