12:26 When the doors of the…19:44 Because salah is the…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 9, 2026.

Salah keeps believers close to Allah

IIT · Ahmad Kutty

“Salah is the miraj, the ascension of the believer.”

The khateeb, at 19:44

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The Isra and Mi'raj teaches that Allah honors and strengthens believers through hardship, with salah as the direct, joyful gift that keeps them connected to Him.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Introduces Isra and Mi'raj and the mighty signs witnessed by Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Sets the journey during the Year of Grief, after Khadijah's death, Abu Talib's death, and rejection at Ta'if.
  3. Explains the journey as divine consolation, prophetic unity, and an honor confirming Muhammad's status.
  4. Recounts Quraysh's challenge and the signs that supported the Prophet's account.
  5. Presents salah as the gift of Mi'raj, reduced from fifty prayers to five with the reward of fifty.
  6. Urges sincere prayer, daily salawat, racial brotherhood, and teaching children to experience salah as comfort.
  7. Closes with prayers for the deceased, the sick, and oppressed communities, followed by community announcements.
Try this week
Make salawat on the Prophet at least 100 times daily.
Turn to salah when distressed and perform it with khushu.
Establish salah at home and teach children its value without making it a punishment.
Treat people as brothers regardless of race, color, or ethnicity.
Teach young people to use salah as a source of tranquility and spiritual renewal.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 53Used the Prophet's witnessing of mighty signs to support the Mi'raj.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“When the doors of the earth are closed, the doors of heaven are wide open.”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 12:26
“Because salah is the miraj, the ascension of the believer. We are directly communicating with Allah in sujood. No intermediary.”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 19:44
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reflects on Isra and Mi'raj, the Prophet Muhammad's miraculous journey and the signs Allah showed him. It reminds us that this honor came during the Year of Grief, when the Prophet faced deep loss and rejection. The central gift of the journey was salah, a direct connection with Allah and a source of strength in difficult times. We are encouraged to pray sincerely, send blessings on the Prophet, and make salah a joyful part of family life. The khutbah also asks us to remember people who are suffering and to treat everyone as a brother or sister.

  1. When has prayer helped you feel calmer or closer to Allah?
  2. What could showing love for the Prophet look like this week?
  3. How could our family make salah more peaceful and joyful?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Institute of Toronto1630 Neilson Rd, Scarborough, ON M1X 1S3Jumu'ah 1:00 PM · in-person and live onlineKhateebAhmad KuttyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IIT44 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Prayer & worship

All on this topic
The remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is something very powerful.9:18ISCN · Corona, CA · Oct 24, 2026Knowing Allah makes worship joyfulAli 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