GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 15, 2025.
Gratitude means giving thanks through action
“Being grateful is giving back to those who are in need.”
In one sentence
Gratitude means recognizing Allah’s blessings and expressing thanks through disciplined actions, generosity, worship, and responsible treatment of others.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khateeb frames taqwa as putting Allah first and living within the boundaries of Islam.
- He contrasts worldly graduation with the true success of receiving one’s record in the Hereafter.
- He uses Prospect Park’s water crisis and Gaza’s deprivation to expose how easily people overlook water, food, health, and other blessings.
- He defines shukr as gratitude and applies it to food manners, avoiding waste, and teaching children not to complain.
- He explains Allah’s gratitude through the story of a person who gave water to a thirsty dog.
- He closes by warning that people will be questioned about their blessings and urging generosity, good example, and accountability.
Try this week
Say Alhamdulillah consciously whenever you eat or drink.
Teach children not to complain about food, to avoid waste, and to practice respectful food manners.
Show gratitude through action by praying, giving to people in need, and helping living creatures.
Lead children by example, including clearing your plate and doing your dishes.
Reflect on overlooked blessings such as water, health, food, electricity, and access to a masjid.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 3Used to define taqwa and dying in a state of submission.
Surah 59Used to urge listeners to consider what they have prepared for the Day of Judgment.
Surah 33Used to connect God-consciousness and upright speech with rectified affairs and forgiveness.
Quran 67:30Used to emphasize water as an essential blessing that Allah alone can provide.
Surah 17Used to describe Nuh as a grateful servant.
Surah 16Used to describe Ibrahim as grateful for Allah’s blessings.
Surah 34Used to command Dawud’s family to work in gratitude.
Quran 102:8Used to warn that people will be questioned about their blessings.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed for the story of Allah forgiving a person who gave water to a thirsty dog.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to explain the Prophet’s manners regarding food he disliked.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Thankfulness and gratitude Could be given in your tongue It could be given in the heart And thankfulness and gratitude Could be given on your jawarah and in your actions”
“The best possible gratitude Is you getting up After finishing your meal Taking your plate And your spoon And your fork And your utensils To the kitchen sink And doing your dishes”
“And being grateful Is giving back to those who are in need And being grateful Is not complaining And being grateful Is teaching your kids How to have proper adab and discipline”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that water, food, health, and a nearby masjid are blessings from Allah that we can easily overlook. He used the local water outage to encourage gratitude and reflection on the suffering of people in Gaza. Saying Alhamdulillah matters, and we can also show our thanks by avoiding food waste, helping at home, and giving to people in need. He shared the story of a thirsty man who brought water to a dog, showing how much a sincere act of kindness can matter to Allah. As a family, we can help one another notice our blessings and turn our gratitude into caring actions.
- What blessing did you use today without thinking much about it?
- How could you show thanks to someone who helped you today?
- What could our family share with someone who needs it this week?
Keep listening
More on Gratitude
ICI · Irving, TX · Oct 24, 2026Thank Allah in ease and hardship“Even in moments of difficulty, when it feels like there's nothing going your way, there is always something to be grateful for.”
Either we're receiving a blessing, which calls for shukr, or we're going through a hardship, which calls for sabr.13:29Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA · Sep 19, 2026Gratitude and patience carry believers through life
Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well