8:37 The idea of shukur is…23:31 This is the work. So…
GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 28, 2025.

True gratitude means serving with blessings

IMAAM Center · Amer Tobing

“The idea of shukur is to recognize and use the blessings of Allah that He has given you.”

The khateeb, at 8:37

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

True shukr is not merely saying “Alhamdulillah” but recognizing Allah’s blessings, worshiping Him, and actively using those blessings to serve others, especially during hardship.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Opens with calls to taqwa, truthful speech, and obedience to Allah.
  2. Contrasts holiday consumerism and man-made traditions with Islam’s continuous gratitude.
  3. Defines shukr as recognizing and using Allah’s blessings, illustrated by the Prophet’s night prayer and comparing oneself with those who have less.
  4. Uses Musa’s reminder to the Israelites and the promise that gratitude brings increase while ingratitude brings severe punishment.
  5. Distinguishes passive verbal gratitude from active shukr through worship, work, family responsibilities, and service.
  6. Challenges listeners to choose a lasting action and closes with prayers for guidance, Quran, and suffering communities.
Try this week
Express gratitude through worship, giving, reflection, speech, and actions.
Read and return to the Quran regularly.
Use professional and personal skills to serve Muslims and people in need.
Care for parents and elders, and support community organizations constructively.
Choose one lasting act of service to carry beyond Jumu'ah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 31Luqman’s wisdom is connected to thankfulness, which benefits the grateful person rather than Allah.
Surah 14Musa reminds the Israelites of Allah’s rescue and teaches that gratitude brings increase while ingratitude brings severe punishment.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The idea of shukur is to recognize and use the blessings of Allah that He has given you.”
IMAAM Center · Silver Spring, MD
Play from 8:37
“This is the work. So when you get out of the hospital, alhamdulillah, then what? It's actually to do something, to say thank you to Allah.”
IMAAM Center · Silver Spring, MD
Play from 23:31
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb taught that shukr, or thankfulness, is not limited to one holiday or to saying Alhamdulillah when life is easy. It means recognizing Allah’s blessings, worshiping Him, and using what He has given us in beneficial ways, especially when hardship narrows our attention. He pointed to the Prophet’s night prayer, Musa’s reminder to the Israelites, and the promise that gratitude brings increase. After Jumu’ah, each of us can choose one lasting act, serve our family, care for elders, use our skills, read Quran, or help people who are suffering.

  1. What blessing do you sometimes forget to notice?
  2. How could one of your talents help another person?
  3. What is one helpful action you can take for family or community this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

IMAAM Center (Indonesian Muslim Association in America)9100 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910Jumu'ah 1st Jumu'ah 12:15 PM · 2nd Jumu'ah 1:30 PMKhateebAmer TobingMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IMAAM Center74 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Gratitude

All on this topic
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 lifeReal gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well