13:10 The nafs refers to…15:35 Don't ever see your…25:16 When's the last time I…26:31 Every day needs to…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 28, 2025.

Resist entitlement and serve for Allah

ICPC Clifton

“Don't ever see your status in this world through the lens of what you have or don't have.”

The khateeb, at 15:35

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that believers must discipline the nafs by resisting entitlement, materialism, selfishness, and people-pleasing, redirecting their time, dua, courage, and relationships toward Allah and service.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The sermon opens with violence and authority over al-Masjid al-Ibrahimi, then turns to inner struggle.
  2. It distinguishes the nafs as the lower self from the ruh as the elevating soul.
  3. It warns against entitlement, comparison, materialism, and sacrificing the akhirah for dunya.
  4. It describes a purified soul as humble, empathetic, accountable, and committed to wider responsibilities.
  5. It gives practical steps: redistribute time, serve without expecting returns, make selfless dua, and cultivate courage.
  6. It concludes that sincere worship and impact on others reveal spiritual condition and outlast worldly possessions.
Try this week
Redistribute weekly time toward volunteering, such as cleaning the masjid, serving at a food pantry, visiting hospitals, or helping at a retirement home.
Make dua for oppressed people, those facing poverty or hardship, and people who lack clean water.
Correct yourself quickly, apologize when wrong, and make amends.
Teach children independent decision-making, critical thinking, courage, and the ability to speak truth.
Avoid defining yourself through possessions, comparison, entitlement, or the pursuit of people’s approval.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The nafs refers to that which pulls you down and the ruh refers to that which elevates you upward.”
ICPC Clifton · Clifton, NJ
Play from 13:10
“Don't ever see your status in this world through the lens of what you have or don't have.”
ICPC Clifton · Clifton, NJ
Play from 15:35
“When's the last time I did something where I'm not getting anything back?”
ICPC Clifton · Clifton, NJ
Play from 25:16
“Every day needs to have something where it's Lillah Azza wa Jal. The full sense of the word.”
ICPC Clifton · Clifton, NJ
Play from 26:31
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that our inner self can pull us toward wants, comparison, and selfishness, while the soul is lifted by obedience to Allah. Real strength is not getting everything we want; it is correcting ourselves, caring about others, and choosing Allah’s pleasure over status and comfort. The speaker urges families to give time to service, make dua for people beyond themselves, and teach children courage, independent thinking, and responsibility. A healthy faith should be visible in how we treat neighbors, friends, family, and anyone Allah places in our path. What lasts after us is not what we owned, but the good we leave behind and the prayers people make for us.

  1. What is one way we can help someone this week without expecting anything back?
  2. When is it hard to do the right thing because other people may disagree?
  3. What good do we hope people remember about our family?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Passaic County, Clifton259 Pershing Rd, Clifton, NJ 07013ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICPC Clifton76 khutbahs
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