16:37 Those who cared about…19:53 Establish the…22:01 Every action we do,…
Death & the hereafterFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Live your faith before the final breath

ICSC · Ahmed Gabalawy

“Every action we do, every word we say, we are either feeding our faith or making our faith dry.”

The khateeb, at 22:01

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A believer prepares to say the final testimony by continually feeding faith through mindfulness of Allah, good deeds, good character, reconciliation, generosity, and forgiveness.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. The final testimony and who receives steadiness to say it
  2. Faith is nourished through mindfulness, good deeds, and repentance
  3. Good character requires treating everyone well and repairing broken relationships
  4. The weight of the shahada is illustrated through the 99-scrolls hadith
  5. Listeners are urged to live the shahada before death and pray for steadfastness
Try this week
Be mindful of Allah in private and public settings.
Follow a bad deed with a good deed, such as prayer, charity, a kind word, or dua.
Treat people well regardless of familiarity or disagreement.
Reconnect with relatives and others who have severed ties.
Give to those who withhold from you and forgive those who wrong you.
After making a mistake, stop, do something good, and ask Allah’s forgiveness.
Make dua for yourself, your family, and the ummah in sujood.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 14:27Used to explain that Allah steadies believers with the true word in this life and the hereafter.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to teach mindfulness of Allah, following bad deeds with good deeds, and treating people well.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Those who cared about their faith in this life. Those who fed their faith in this life. Will get to say this kalima at the time of death.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 16:37
“Establish the relationship with those who severed the relationship with you. They do not call me. They do not visit me. It doesn't matter.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 19:53
“Every action we do, every word we say, we are either feeding our faith or making our faith dry.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 22:01
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that our final words matter, but they are prepared by how we live every day. Allah helps believers remain firm when they nourish faith through remembrance, good deeds, repentance, and kindness. We should repair relationships, give even when others withhold, and forgive those who hurt us for Allah’s sake. Our mistakes do not have to define us if we respond with repentance and good action. The goal is to live the shahada so sincerely that it is present in our hearts at the end of life.

  1. What is one good deed you could do after making a mistake?
  2. Who could you treat better, even if they have not treated you well?
  3. What would it look like to live the shahada at home this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Southern California434 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020Jumu'ah Qur’an recitation 12:45 PM · Khutbah 1:00 PM · prayer 1:30 PMKhateebAhmed GabalawyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICSC71 khutbahs
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