4:45 social media creates…6:52 success is not…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 9, 2025.

Build your identity around serving God

IECOC · Moustafa Al-Qazwini

“Social media creates fake identity, not real identity.”

The khateeb, at 4:45

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Identity is rebuilt by rejecting social comparison, conformity, materialism, and harmful relationships, defining oneself as a servant of God, and acting responsibly while trusting God with what lies beyond one's control.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Social media creates false identities and pressures people to compare popularity with success.
  2. True success is seeking God's pleasure, fulfilling responsibilities, and practicing tawakkul rather than laziness.
  3. Conformity and superficial faith create identity confusion; a strong relationship with God anchors other relationships.
  4. Cultural expectations can conflict with Islamic values in weddings, spending, mahr, music, and hijab.
  5. The core identity is Abdullah, the servant of God, rather than someone defined by social approval.
  6. The speaker warns against casual relationships outside marriage and encourages self-control, genuine community, and youth camp participation.
Try this week
Stop comparing yourself with peers, relatives, or strangers; draw inspiration without measuring your worth against them.
Study, work, and fulfill responsibilities within your control, then trust God with outcomes beyond your control.
Put God first when faith conflicts with personal interests or cultural expectations.
Spend money wisely, avoid wasteful wedding extravagance, and help people who lack food, shelter, medicine, or safe water.
Keep mahr reasonable and value honesty, integrity, and character over money or gold.
Avoid boyfriend-girlfriend relationships outside marriage, practice self-control, and pursue marriage when genuinely ready.
Seek genuine friendships and community through mosque involvement and youth activities.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 20Used to argue that people should not compare themselves with others.
Surah 19Used through the phrase Abdullah to support defining oneself as God's servant.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“social media creates fake identity not real identity fake identity”
IECOC · Costa Mesa, CA
Play from 4:45
“success is not measured by only education it's not measured by education”
IECOC · Costa Mesa, CA
Play from 6:52
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that our worth is not measured by followers, popularity, or how our lives compare with someone else's. He encouraged us to learn from good examples while remembering that each person has different abilities and circumstances. Our purpose, he said, is to please God, work hard, and trust Him with what we cannot control. He also asked us to stay true to our faith when fitting in feels tempting, and to show our character through honesty, integrity, and careful use of money. In discussing relationships, he emphasized self-control and readiness to care for another person within marriage. He ended by encouraging real friendship and time together, because being active online does not necessarily keep us from feeling lonely.

  1. What is something you can feel grateful for about yourself without comparing it with anyone else?
  2. What is one responsibility you can take care of this week while trusting God with the outcome?
  3. What could we do together this week that would help everyone feel more connected?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Educational Center of Orange County3194-B Airport Loop Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626KhateebMoustafa Al-QazwiniMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IECOC44 khutbahs
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