4:23 that two hungry wolves…9:58 a real friend is…22:20 he considered it a…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 3, 2025.

Leadership is a trust, not a prize

Masjid ‘Eesa · Zakareeya Baksh

“Two hungry wolves sent down on a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a person's desire for wealth and status on his religion.”

The khateeb, at 4:23

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The desire for wealth, status, and power can quietly corrupt a believer, so leadership should be approached as a trust with humility, accountability, and sincere self-correction.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Introduces the hungry-wolves analogy for the danger of craving wealth and status.
  2. Explains prophetic warnings against seeking leadership and the accountability attached to authority.
  3. Uses Abu Dharr, Yusuf, and Uthman ibn Abil As to distinguish harmful ambition from qualified responsibility.
  4. Applies the warning to ordinary influence in families, workplaces, and communities.
  5. Shows through a brother’s gradual decline in prayer how corruption can become invisible.
Try this week
Examine how your influence at work, in the mosque, or at home may be changing your character and religious commitment.
Do not pursue leadership merely for status, wealth, or recognition.
If entrusted with authority, treat it as an amanah and fulfill its responsibilities properly.
Invite sincere people to identify your flaws, and receive their correction as a gift.
Make dua for protection from the desire for wealth and status, and pray for the deceased brother and his family.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“that two hungry wolves sent down on a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a person's desire for wealth and status on his religion”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 4:23
“a real friend is someone who's gonna try to give you sincere advice even if it's bitter”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 9:58
“he considered it a gift why because there's certain things he won't be able to see with the position as a khalifa that he had”
Masjid ‘Eesa · Hollis, NY
Play from 22:20
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that craving wealth, status, and power can quietly harm a person’s faith, like hungry wolves attacking sheep. Leadership is not automatically wrong, but it must be treated as a serious trust rather than something to chase for prestige. Even ordinary people have influence in their families, workplaces, and communities, so everyone should ask how authority may be affecting them. The speaker encourages us to welcome sincere correction, follow the example of Umar, and ask Allah to protect us from hidden corruption.

  1. Where do you have influence over other people, and how can you use it well?
  2. What makes it difficult to hear criticism, and how could we respond better?
  3. How can we tell the difference between serving others and chasing status?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid ‘Eesa ibn Maryam90-20 191st St, Hollis, NY 11423Jumu'ah 1:15 PMKhateebZakareeya BakshMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Masjid ‘Eesa62 khutbahs
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