Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 30, 2026.
Sincerity matters more than outward sacrifice
“As you hide your bad deeds, that's called sincerity.”
In one sentence
True sincerity (ikhlas) and multiplying good intentions (niyyah) in every act of worship, especially sacrifice, are what reach Allah and earn limitless reward, not the outward act itself.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- 'Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah', bringing this essence into our lives
- The nafs acts like a solid object blocking the sun: desires stop guidance from reaching the heart
- Rebuttal of the 'give money instead of an animal' argument: no deed on Eid day is more beloved to Allah than shedding sacrificial blood
- The pagan Quraysh rubbed blood on the Kaaba; Allah says neither meat nor blood reaches Him, only piety
- Hide your good deeds like you hide your sins; social-media showing-off destroys sincerity
- Multiply your intentions for one deed (e.g. coming to Jumu'ah) and each niyyah earns separate reward
- The hadith of the man who wished a pile of sand were food to distribute, intention alone was rewarded
- Why believers earn eternal Paradise for 60 years of deeds: their intention was to believe forever
Try this week
Perform the Eid sacrifice rather than substituting a cash donation
Hide your good deeds; avoid posting sacrifices and charity on social media
Make multiple intentions before coming to Jumu'ah: obeying Allah, obeying the Prophet, greeting brothers, visiting Allah's house
Cultivate a longing for Hajj even if unable to go, since the intention itself is rewarded
Straighten prayer rows, silence cell phones, and focus in salah
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 6:162Quoted 'Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillahi Rabbil Alamin' to argue all of life should be for Allah
Jami` at-Tirmidhi'No deed of the son of Adam on the day of sacrifice is more beloved to Allah than shedding blood', to refute giving money instead of sacrificing
Quran 22:37'Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but what reaches Him is piety from you', against the pagan practice of rubbing blood on the Kaaba
Sahih al-BukhariA man wished sand were food to distribute; Allah rewarded him for the intention alone
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“No other deed. More beloved to Allah. Than shed the blood. Of an animal. For sacrifice. Imagine. Now a true believer wants. Whatever beloved to Allah. I should do those things.”
“as you hide your bad deeds that's called sincerity so Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala don't need our sacrifice He's free of need”
“so you can add more niya in your deeds will increase the reward when you have one thing you know you will get the reward of one things”
“if i live a thousand year i will be a believer if i live for a millionaire i will be a believer so that niya will make him go to paradise forever”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that our prayer, sacrifice, life, and death should all be sincerely for Allah. True sacrifice is not about the animal or the public display, but about the piety in our hearts. Our nafs and desires can block reminders from reaching us, so we should work on humility and sincerity. We were also encouraged to make multiple good intentions for one deed, because Allah can reward each sincere intention. Even when we cannot perform a good deed, sincerely wanting it can still bring reward.
- What good deed could you do today with more than one sincere intention?
- What distraction sometimes keeps reminders from reaching your heart?
- How can we do a good deed without needing other people to notice?
Keep listening
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