28:23 the whole point of…31:31 this dua came from the…38:22 When you have nothing…
Patience & trialsFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 28, 2025.

Hardship can become the start of spiritual rise

Masjid Younis · Ismail Hamdi

“Sometimes you have to go through difficulties and calamities in your life and sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to rise.”

The khateeb, at 28:23

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that a believer's lowest moments can become the beginning of spiritual rise when they turn sincerely to Allah, serve others, and avoid haram.

The khutbah in 4 steps

  1. Musa flees Pharaoh after being warned that he will be killed, leaving Egypt without provisions.
  2. At Madyan, exhausted and hungry, Musa helps two women water their flock.
  3. The khateeb centers the khutbah on Musa's dua in Surah al-Qasas 28:24 and explains its open-ended reliance on Allah.
  4. The closing message connects hardship, faith, and spiritual rise, with prayers for Gaza, Sudan, and Muslims worldwide.
Try this week
Look up and memorize Surah al-Qasas 28:24.
Print the dua and place it in the car and home.
Recite the dua daily in sujood, after tashahhud, after salah, and on the way to work.
Turn to Allah during hardship instead of responding through haram.
Pray as if it is your last prayer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 28:15Musa encounters two men fighting and accidentally kills one before fleeing.
Quran 28:20-22Musa is warned to flee and asks Allah to guide him toward the right path.
Quran 28:23-24Musa helps two women at the well and makes the central dua for any good Allah sends.
Quran 28:25-28The invitation, marriage proposal, and eight-or-ten-year work agreement are described.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the whole point of this khutbah is sometimes you have to go through difficulties and calamities in your life and sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to rise”
Masjid Younis · Prospect Park, NJ
Play from 28:23
“this dua came from the pit of Musa's stomach at the most difficult time of his life when he was at the lowest point”
Masjid Younis · Prospect Park, NJ
Play from 31:31
“When you have nothing and you hit rock bottom, there's only one place to go up.”
Masjid Younis · Prospect Park, NJ
Play from 38:22
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah followed Musa as he fled danger and arrived in Madyan frightened, hungry, and with very little. Even in his own hardship, he helped two women water their flock, showing strength, modesty, and sincerity. Then he rested in the shade and asked Allah for whatever good He would send him. The story continued with an invitation that led to safety, work, and marriage. The khateeb reminded us that difficult moments can become beginnings of growth when we turn to Allah, and encouraged us to memorize Musa’s dua from Surah Al-Qasas, verse 24.

  1. How could you help someone on a day when you are having a hard time yourself?
  2. What is a kind act you could do without needing anyone to notice?
  3. What would help our family remember Musa’s dua during the week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Younis (ICPC-Younis)190 Haledon Ave, Prospect Park, NJ 07508KhateebIsmail HamdiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Masjid Younis52 khutbahs
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