Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 29, 2026.

Eid sacrifice means surrendering what controls you

“The sacrifice symbolizes our complete surrender to Allah.”

The khateeb, at 24:05

In one sentence

Eid al-Adha calls Muslims to imitate Ibrahim and Ismail by surrendering what most controls them, deepening taqwa, and turning sacrifice into loving responsibility toward family and community.

The khutbah in 4 steps

  1. The khutbah opens with Eid greetings, blessings, and a call to live in mindful submission to Allah.
  2. Qurban and Hajj are explained as practices aimed at drawing closer to Allah and orienting all of life toward Him.
  3. Listeners are asked to identify their personal “Ismail”, attachments, ego, addictions, comfort, or worldly priorities that compete with Allah.
  4. The sermon closes by redefining sacrifice as taqwa, generosity, empathy, ethical living, community care, and civic goodness.
Try this week
Ask yourself and your family, “What is my Ismail?” and identify one attachment or self-destructive behavior to surrender.
Have open conversations with children and parents about major financial, moving, marriage, or life decisions.
Share qurbani with family, neighbors, the wider community, and people in need.
Choose halal, tayyib, ethically sourced food and learn where it comes from.
Use the takbir, Allahu Akbar, to re-center your priorities during Eid and after prayer.
Practice greater kindness, patience, generosity, empathy, and civic engagement.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 22Argues that sacrifice is judged by piety and taqwa, not meat or blood.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“What is my Ismail? What do I truly love? And do I submit wholeheartedly?”
At-Thohir · Koreatown, CA
Play from 19:16
“Eid al-Adha is not just a spectacle, it's not just another day. But we put this as an interrogation into our own lifestyles.”
At-Thohir · Koreatown, CA
Play from 22:31
“The sacrifice symbolizes our complete surrender to Allah .”
At-Thohir · Koreatown, CA
Play from 24:05
“Allah is number one in my life. Everything else... It can be sacrificed.”
At-Thohir · Koreatown, CA
Play from 26:31
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s Eid message reminds us that sacrifice is not mainly about what appears on the table; it is about taqwa, sincerity, and turning our lives toward Allah. The story of Ibrahim and Ismail teaches us to speak openly with our children and to face major decisions together with trust in Allah. Each of us can ask what our personal “Ismail” is, the attachment, ego, habit, or comfort we struggle to release. Eid also asks us to share with neighbors and people in need, and to respond to others with more kindness, patience, generosity, and empathy. May our celebration bring us closer to Allah and make us vessels of goodness in our families and communities.

  1. What is one habit or attachment you would like to give up for Allah?
  2. How can our family talk more openly when we face a big decision?
  3. Who could we include or help with our Eid meal this year?