3:37 you can't fake it we…18:32 you are human and…22:59 becoming a khalil of…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Choose Allah over what pulls you away

ISNA Canada (ICC)

“Becoming a khalil of Allah means to surrender outcomes to give up what might be familiar for that which Allah has told us is good for us.”

The khateeb, at 22:59

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A believer becomes a close friend of Allah by repeatedly choosing Allah's pleasure over comfort, familiarity, temptation, and environments that pull them away from their values.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Revisits Ibrahim's steadfastness and trust when rejecting idolatry and facing the fire.
  2. Explains that love for Allah must be proven repeatedly, not through one isolated trial.
  3. Defines hijrah as leaving whatever separates a person from Allah, even when painful.
  4. Applies this lesson to career choices, friendships, temptations, and environmental influence.
  5. Calls for spiritual minimalism, reordered priorities, and greater attention to family and worship.
Try this week
Turn down or leave opportunities, friendships, or habits that conflict with Allah's pleasure and your values.
Audit your environments and relationships to identify what helps you remember Allah and what pulls you away.
Temporarily detach from nonessential commitments to create room for prayer, family, and reflection.
Reorder priorities around Allah and irreplaceable responsibilities to children, spouses, and parents.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 19Ibrahim's departure from his people illustrates abandoning idolatry for devotion to Allah.
Quran 37:99Ibrahim's decision to go to his Lord is presented as an example of hijrah.
Jami` at-TirmidhiThe Prophet's farewell words about loving Makkah frame principled departure as painful but necessary.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“you can't fake it we have five prayers in a day five times you have to prove to Allah that allahu akbar Allah is greater than whatever is going on in my life”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 3:37
“you are human and you're not immune to your environment look around at the people around you that you spend time with do they help you remember Allah or do they take you away”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 18:32
“becoming a khalil of Allah means to surrender outcomes to give up what might be familiar for that which Allah has told us is good for us”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 22:59
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah taught that being close to Allah means choosing His pleasure again and again, not proving our love only once. Prophet Ibrahim left behind people, places, and habits that stood between him and Allah, even though that choice was painful. Our friends, workplaces, routines, and temptations can slowly shape us, so we should notice whether they strengthen or weaken our faith and values. Temporarily stepping back, making room for prayer and family, and returning to what matters can help us live with more clarity.

  1. What helps you remember Allah during a busy week?
  2. Is there something you could step back from to make more time for family or prayer?
  3. How can friends influence the choices we make?
Where it was given

The masjid

ISNA Canada, Islamic Centre of Canada2200 South Sheridan Way, Mississauga, ON L5J 2M4Jumu'ah Two services · 1:00 PM, 3:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ISNA Canada (ICC)124 khutbahs
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