6:55 What we're able to…8:07 What has stayed with…9:36 But the fact of the…17:14 they will integrate it…
Death & the hereafterFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 31, 2026.

Spend Ramadan on deeds that last

OCIF · Tarik Ata

“What we're able to take with us from this life to the afterlife is the only thing that really matters.”

The khateeb, at 6:55

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because time is our only lasting investment in the afterlife, Muslims should use it deliberately, especially in Ramadan, for worship, charity, learning, remembrance, and service instead of meaningless speech, screens, and distraction.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Human beings will regret wasted time most on the Day of Judgment, so Ramadan’s limited days should be used purposefully.
  2. The Prophet’s example of giving away most of a roasted lamb shows that charity is what truly remains with us.
  3. Conversations should promote charity, good deeds, and reconciliation rather than backbiting, slander, or harm.
  4. Screen time and online distractions should be replaced with Qur’an, Islamic learning, remembrance, and mosque programs.
  5. Regular congregational prayer, mosque attendance, charity, and Ramadan volunteering turn time into lasting investment.
Try this week
Use Ramadan’s limited days for worship and deeds that benefit the afterlife.
Direct conversations toward charity, good deeds, and reconciliation while avoiding backbiting and slander.
Replace meaningless screen time with Qur’an recitation, lectures, Islamic learning, or mosque programs.
Attend congregational prayer and remembrance regularly, integrating the masjid into daily life.
Give time and wealth in charity and register to volunteer during Ramadan.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 89The phrase “Ya laytani qaddamtu li hayati” illustrates regret over failing to invest in the eternal life.
Surah 2Ramadan is described as a limited number of counted days, strengthening the call to use it well.
Surah 103The oath by time supports the warning that humanity is continually losing through wasted time.
Surah 4The exception to empty conversations is speech promoting charity, good deeds, or reconciliation.
Surah 18The warning about the greatest losers concerns deeds and speech that ultimately harm a person.
Surah 63Wealth and children must not distract believers from remembrance, and people should spend before death removes the opportunity.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“What we're able to take with us from this life to the afterlife is the only thing that really matters.”
OCIF · Mission Viejo, CA
Play from 6:55
“What has stayed with us is the lamb and what has left us is the shoulder.”
OCIF · Mission Viejo, CA
Play from 8:07
“But the fact of the matter is, the day of judgment still approaches, and the best among us are those who are able to manage these distractions and invest a portion of their life so that they take it with them in the afterlife.”
OCIF · Mission Viejo, CA
Play from 9:36
“they will integrate it into their daily routine and they will frequent the masjid to the best of their ability.”
OCIF · Mission Viejo, CA
Play from 17:14
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that our time is our real investment, and one day we may wish we had used it better. Ramadan comes in counted days, so we should fill it with worship, beneficial speech, charity, learning, and service instead of letting conversations or screens consume us. The speaker encouraged us to join Qur’an and Islamic-learning gatherings and to make the masjid part of our routine. Even a little time or wealth given for Allah can remain as lasting good, so we should look for a concrete way to give and serve this Ramadan.

  1. How could our family use a conversation to encourage a good deed or help someone?
  2. What would making the masjid part of our routine look like for us?
Where it was given

The masjid

Orange County Islamic Foundation23581 Madero #101, Mission Viejo, CA 92691Jumu'ah Arabic 12:15 PM · English 1:15 PMKhateebTarik AtaMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at OCIF38 khutbahs
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