Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 22, 2026.

Purpose matters more than worldly success

“Quran does not talk about happiness.”

The khateeb, at 7:04

In one sentence

True contentment comes not from making worldly success one's goal, but from living with the God-given purpose of serving Allah, benefiting creation, and orienting daily life toward the Hereafter.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. People pursue happiness in the wrong places; purpose must come before happiness.
  2. Allah created humanity for servitude, and ibadah includes ordinary actions done with sincere intention.
  3. Career, education, possessions, and comfort are halal means, not life's ultimate purpose.
  4. Islam requires self-reform, good character, and fulfilling the rights of Allah's creation.
  5. Connection with Allah through Quran, salah, dua, remembrance, and good company protects against distraction.
  6. Believers should keep worldly goals subordinate to purpose and prepare to answer Allah for their lives.
Try this week
Connect daily chores, work, school, and relationships to Allah through sincere intention.
Follow the Sunnah while carrying out ordinary activities.
Work on yourself before trying to teach or change others.
Stay connected to the Quran and salah.
Pray the two sunnah rak'ahs of Fajr and make frequent dua.
Remember Allah in every action and strengthen your relationship with Him.
Be careful about who you follow in person and online.
Treat worldly goals as means, not as life's purpose.
Respect and fulfill the rights of other people and creation.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 67:14Allah's knowledge of His creation supports the claim that He knows humanity's purpose.
Quran 51:56Used to identify humanity's purpose as serving and worshiping Allah.
Quran 6:162Used to emphasize sincerity by dedicating prayer, life, and death to Allah.
Quran 5:3Used to present Islam as Allah's perfected and chosen way of life.
Quran 3:110Defined the best community through enjoining good, forbidding evil, and believing in Allah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Quran does not talk about happiness. Rather, it is all about purpose. And happiness is a by-product of that purpose.”
NICC · Dublin, OH
Play from 7:04
“No matter what you do, as long as I'm doing it with the intention to please Allah, Subhanahu wa ta'ala, and following the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, that is all ibadah.”
NICC · Dublin, OH
Play from 10:54
“These things themselves are not a purpose. But shaitan wants them to be our purpose.”
NICC · Dublin, OH
Play from 12:38
“Islam began as something strange. And will go back to being strange. So glad tidings to the strangers.”
NICC · Dublin, OH
Play from 13:38
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that our deepest purpose is not simply to collect comfort, success, or possessions, but to live as servants of Allah. Worship includes the whole day when ordinary work, school, rest, and relationships are done sincerely and in the Prophetic way. We should treat people well because honoring Allah's creation is part of loving the Creator. We can enjoy halal goals, but should keep them as means, strengthen our connection through Quran and salah, choose our company carefully, and remember that we will answer Allah about our lives.

  1. What is one ordinary thing you could do this week with a sincere intention for Allah?
  2. Which worldly goal sometimes feels too important, and how could you put it back in its proper place?
  3. Who or what influences you most online and in person?