Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, May 14, 2026.

Seek Allah’s pleasure, not fame

“The ones that are actually remembered the most are the ones who never actually sought the thing.”

The khateeb, at 8:00

In one sentence

Lasting honor comes not from chasing worldly fame but from sincerely seeking Allah’s pleasure, serving the ummah, and remembering Allah, through which one is remembered by Allah and the angels.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Surah al-Insan frames human insignificance through creation from a drop and the test of gratitude.
  2. People often seek fame, attention, and legacy, sometimes through impermissible means.
  3. The Prophet, companions, and scholars became enduringly remembered by serving Allah and the ummah.
  4. The hadith about intentions calls listeners to examine their motives for seeking recognition.
  5. Remembering Allah privately and in gatherings leads Allah to remember the believer among the angels.
  6. Angelic remembrance is more valuable because angels seek forgiveness for those Allah mentions.
Try this week
Re-evaluate the intention behind seeking fame, praise, or online attention.
Pursue service to Allah and the ummah rather than recognition.
Use social media only in a halal way and avoid abhorrent content for attention.
Remember Allah privately and in gatherings through dhikr, Quran, and hadith.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 76Human beings are created from a drop, given hearing and sight, and tested through gratitude or ingratitude.
Surah 16Humans are created from a sperm drop yet openly challenge their Creator.
Surah 2Remembering and thanking Allah leads to Allah remembering the believer.
Sahih MuslimThe value of an action depends on intention, illustrated through differing reasons for migration.
Sahih al-BukhariAllah remembers those who remember Him privately or in a gathering.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the ones that are actually remembered the most are the ones who never actually sought the thing. That was never their intention to start with.”
North York Muslim · Toronto
Play from 8:00
“Instead, they lived their life in the path of Allah to benefit the Ummah. And as a result, Allah made sure that their names will be remembered until the end of time.”
North York Muslim · Toronto
Play from 8:19
“And when you have the followership of the angels, that's a better followership than this earth.”
North York Muslim · Toronto
Play from 17:04
“And the way they know you is that Allah mentions you in their gathering.”
North York Muslim · Toronto
Play from 17:50
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that every person begins small and should not build life around being noticed. It teaches that lasting honor comes when we sincerely seek Allah’s pleasure and help the ummah, rather than chase worldly fame. The hadith about intentions asks us to examine why we want recognition. When we remember Allah alone or together, Allah remembers us and the angels can know us and seek forgiveness for us.

  1. What is one good deed you would still do if nobody noticed?
  2. When could our family remember Allah together this week?
  3. Who do you admire because they helped others, not because they were famous?