16:33 if you don't fill it…19:13 it's not how much we…35:06 you have to add amal…
General remindersFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 3, 2026.

Use your time before it is gone

El-Zahra · Moutaz Charaf

“If you don't fill it with good, it will be filled with bad.”

The khateeb, at 16:33

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Time is Allah’s most precious gift and capital, so Muslims should learn from the past, use the present wisely and evenly, and turn hopes for the future into righteous action.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames time as Allah’s most valuable gift and capital, greater than money.
  2. Uses the passing of time to explain spiritual loss and profit.
  3. Emphasizes accountability for youth, health, free time, and every stage of life.
  4. Calls for balancing worship, family, work, personal needs, and community responsibilities.
  5. Teaches learning from the past, controlling the present, and pairing future hope with action.
  6. Closes by urging preparation for Ramadan and praying for suffering communities worldwide.
Try this week
Review the past year and identify how time was spent.
Make a daily morning list and prioritize responsibilities.
Fill free time with prayer, Qur’an, study, family care, service, or skill-building.
Balance time among Allah, family, work, personal needs, guests, and community.
Prepare for Ramadan now by reading Qur’an, increasing worship, attending the mosque, and fasting some days.
Make present decisions that please Allah and avoid choices that distance you from Him.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 103Used to frame passing time as loss except for faith and righteous deeds.
Quran 18:110Used to connect hope of meeting Allah with righteous action.
Quran 28:77Used to argue for balance between worldly life and the Hereafter.
Quran 2:201Used to argue for balance between worldly life and the Hereafter.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“if you don't fill it with good it will be filled with bad”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 16:33
“it's not how much we do it's the quality of what we do”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 19:13
“you have to add amal to it to plan it to be successful in it”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 35:06
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Dr. Moutaz reminded us that time is a precious gift from Allah, and we cannot bring back a day once it has passed. We can use that gift well through prayer, learning, helping others, and caring for our families. He encouraged us to balance our responsibilities so that work, worship, family, and our own needs each receive attention. We should learn from the past without becoming trapped in regret, and face the future with trust in Allah and actions that support our hopes. Each new day gives us a chance to make good choices, and he encouraged us to begin preparing for Ramadan with Quran, worship, and fasting.

  1. What is one kind thing you could do with ten minutes tomorrow?
  2. How could our family make more time for each other and for worship this week?
  3. What is something you hope to learn or become, and what small step could you take now?
Where it was given

The masjid

El-Zahra Islamic Center218 Irving Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432Jumu'ah 1st 1:00 to 1:45 PM (streamed to YouTube) · 2nd 2:00 to 2:30 PMKhateebMoutaz CharafMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at El-Zahra48 khutbahs
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