Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

You were created to add value

“You were created to add value, every single one of you.”

The khateeb, at 2:31

In one sentence

Every person has a meaningful role and should seek to add value while trusting Allah's wisdom, remaining humble about success and hardship, and treating others with grace.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Human beings were created with purpose and are called to add value beyond earning and consumption.
  2. The stories of al-Sayyid Nusayr and Imam al-Nawawi illustrate discovering one's role through facilitation and redirection.
  3. Ahmed Shawqi's poem reframes success, loss, and hardship through humility about what Allah knows.
  4. Prophetic teachings warn against judging people by status, appearance, or social regard.
  5. Qur'anic counsel on marriage shows that disliked circumstances can conceal great good.
  6. Examples of oppressed communities, especially Gaza, are used to urge patience, hope, justice, and trust in Allah's plan.
Try this week
Ask yourself what role you were created to fulfill and what value you can provide humanity.
Respond to gains and losses with humility and patience instead of immediately labeling them good or bad.
Treat overlooked people with dignity rather than judging their appearance or social status.
Show spouses grace and kindness when conflict or dislike arises.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 3Named at the close as a source of hope, perseverance, and anticipated victory.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The believer does not roam the earth for the sole purpose of paying their bills. You were not created to eat makluba, mansaf, and biryani.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 2:01
“You were created to add value, every single one of you.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 2:31
“You don't know the value of people. You don't even know the value of your spouses.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 18:35
“Allah hides for us in difficult circumstances beautiful gifts that if we were to know them, we would cry tears of happiness from how generous Allah is with us.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 21:45
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that Allah created every person with purpose, not merely to work, eat, and pay bills. We should look for ways to add value and use our abilities to benefit others. We should also be humble because we cannot always know whether a loss or gain is truly good for us. The sermon teaches us not to judge people by their appearance or social standing. In family life, patience and kindness may reveal blessings hidden inside difficult moments.

  1. What is one way you can add value to someone’s life this week?
  2. Have you ever discovered something good inside a difficult experience?
  3. How can we include or appreciate someone whom others overlook?