12:40 What are my skills?…23:00 you can serve Islam…
Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 18, 2026.

Serve Islam through your own skills

Al-Mustafa · Ibrahim Salman

“You can serve Islam through your skills, through your talent, through what you excel, what you like, what you want, whatever you are, whatever your position, you can serve Islam.”

The khateeb, at 23:00

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Allah gives each person distinct abilities, and Muslims should use their own skills and professions to serve Islam rather than imitate others.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Uses Yusuf and Dhul Qarnayn as examples of serving through distinctive gifts.
  2. Argues that serving Islam does not require abandoning one’s career or expertise.
  3. Shows how Prophet Muhammad recognized and directed companions’ different talents.
  4. Illustrates the principle through Zayd ibn Thabit, Hassan ibn Thabit, and Rufayda al-Aslamiyya.
  5. Emphasizes accountability for how each person uses their knowledge and profession.
  6. Closes with prayers, a Quran recitation, and a memorial dua for Muhammad Akram.
Try this week
Ask yourself every day what skills, talents, and knowledge Allah has given you.
Ask your children about their abilities and help direct them toward meaningful service.
Use your profession, education, language ability, creativity, leadership, or other expertise to serve Islam and the community.
Stop comparing yourself with others and serve through the role in which you excel.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 12Yusuf’s dream interpretation, crisis planning, and economic management illustrate serving through specialized abilities.
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet’s instruction to Hassan ibn Thabit is used to show poetry defending Islam.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“What are my skills? What's my talent that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gave me?”
Al-Mustafa · Waterbury, CT
Play from 12:40
“you can serve Islam through your skills, through your talent, through what you excel, what you like, what you want, whatever you are, whatever your position, you can serve Islam.”
Al-Mustafa · Waterbury, CT
Play from 23:00
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that Allah gives people different gifts, and those gifts can become ways to serve Him. We do not all need to become scholars or copy one another; the Prophet Muhammad recognized different strengths among his companions and gave them different responsibilities. The sermon highlights Zayd ibn Thabit’s memory and languages, Hassan ibn Thabit’s poetry, and Rufayda’s medical care, including women’s contributions to community life. We should ask ourselves and our children what we are good at and use those abilities with sincerity, because we will be accountable for how we use our knowledge. It ended with prayers for guidance, Muslim youth, and a deceased community member.

  1. What is one thing you learn quickly or do especially well?
  2. How could one of your skills help another person or benefit our community?
  3. How can we avoid comparing our gifts with someone else’s gifts?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Al-Mustafa95 Schraffts Drive, Waterbury, CT 06705Jumu'ah 1:00 PMKhateebIbrahim SalmanMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Al-Mustafa40 khutbahs
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