Build for Allah, not worldly status
“When you build something for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, for the sake of the benefit of humanity, it's done for your akhirat.”
Muslims should pursue worldly work, family, and community benefit without being deceived by temporary status or digital distractions, continually redirecting their priorities toward Allah and the akhirah.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with reminders about taqwa, sincerity, truthfulness, sunnah, and hope in Allah's mercy.
- Explains that the dunya is attractive but temporary, and Islam teaches a balanced middle path rather than attachment or withdrawal.
- Uses Greek, Roman, and Muslim empires to show that worldly grandeur and civilization do not last.
- Reframes honest work, business, civic authority, and community improvement as akhirah-oriented when done for Allah.
- Warns that sports, video games, the metaverse, and device gamification can dominate life and imitate gambling.
- Gives practical steps: reduce distractions, read Quran daily, improve prayer, repair family ties, and prioritize lasting benefit.
In the khateeb's words
“The point being is that everyone in this dunya at their moment of height and grandeur is in an illusion.”
“When you build something for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, for the sake of the benefit of humanity, it's done for your akhirat.”
“And some practical steps just for that, some very practical steps from that is make sure that all of us, we're taking some time to read the Quran every single day.”
For the dinner table
Today Sheikh Adnan reminded us that Allah designed this world to be beautiful and attractive, but it is short and it is not our final home. He told us about great empires, like Rome, the Mughals and Muslim Baghdad and Cordoba, whose people all thought their greatness would last forever, and today they are gone. Islam asks us to walk a middle path: enjoy and work hard in this world, be content with what Allah gives us, and don't envy others, while always keeping our eyes on the akhirah. He also warned that games, sports and screens can grab hold of our hearts and our time, so we should ask ourselves honestly whether we are balanced. He gave us three simple habits: read a little Qur'an every day, take care of our prayers, and be good to our family and relatives. If we do these sincerely, the things that don't matter will slowly lose their hold on us, and Allah will help us succeed in this life and the next.
- What is one thing you spend a lot of time on that you could cut back on to make more time for Allah?
- The Sheikh asked where the great empires like Rome went. What do you think lasts forever, if buildings and empires don't?
- Who in our family could you be kinder to or spend more time with this week?
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