Private worship protects sincerity
“My actions should be more beautiful in private than in public.”
The khutbah argues that riya, directing acts of worship toward people’s approval, is a hidden form of minor shirk that damages sincerity and reward, so believers must examine and correct their intentions.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces the Dajjal and the warning that hidden shirk may be an even greater danger.
- Defines riya as showing off in worship and distinguishes it from ordinary fame or appearance.
- Explains how riya deceives people, mocks Allah, and reduces or destroys reward.
- Describes categories and levels of mixed intentions and showing off.
- Identifies love of praise, fear of rebuke, and greed as causes of riya.
- Prescribes intention-checking and making private worship stronger than public worship.
In the khateeb's words
“Minor shirk is when you're supposed to do ibadah and worship Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And you actually direct your intention towards another person.”
“What I'm doing is I want them to love me via my ibadah. That's what it is at the end of the day.”
“Always compare yourself in public versus yourself in private. My actions should be more beautiful in private than in public.”
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah reminded us to worship Allah sincerely, rather than trying to impress other people. The khateeb explained that riya means showing off with good deeds, such as changing our prayer or giving charity to gain recognition. He distinguished this from simply wearing nice clothes or being known for a successful business. He encouraged us to compare how we worship around others with how we worship when we are alone. As a family, we can keep checking our intentions, give our private worship more care, and ask Allah to help us become more sincere.
- What does doing a good deed for Allah mean to you?
- How could you give your prayer more care when nobody else is watching?
- What could you remind yourself when you really want someone to notice your good deeds?
More on Prayer & worship
The remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is something very powerful.9:18ISCN · Corona, CA · Oct 24, 2026Knowing Allah makes worship joyful
Ali Khan Center · Suitland, MD · Oct 10, 2026Give the weekly prayer your full attention“Don't just time it so you get maybe five-minute kutbah and a five-minute salat, and you're out in 10 minutes.”
Don't set your floor at your peak time, like in Ramadan.19:52Al-Noor · Santa Clara, CA · Oct 24, 2026Build a sustainable spiritual floor