7:50 The test of times of…8:46 now we all realize…21:29 But rather, a believer…22:29 At that time, make dua…
GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 3, 2026.

Ease can test us more than hardship

DarusSalam · Sulaiman Mahmood

“The test of times of ease is more difficult than the test at times of difficulties.”

The khateeb, at 7:50

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In one sentence

Allah tests people in both hardship and ease, so believers should practice patience and gratitude while turning to Him consistently in every condition.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Contrasts hardship, which tests patience, with ease, which tests gratitude.
  2. Uses Chicago's wildfire smoke to reveal how people overlook clean air and other blessings.
  3. Introduces Surah al-Dukhan and presents two interpretations of its smoke: an end-times sign and Quraysh's famine.
  4. Retells Quraysh's famine and Pharaoh's repeated return to old ways after relief.
  5. Contrasts that pattern with the believer's need to turn to Allah in every condition.
  6. Closes with counsel to know Allah in ease, followed by prayers, announcements, and congregational worship.
Try this week
Thank Allah regularly for ongoing blessings such as clean air, health, family, and work.
Make dua and build a relationship with Allah during ease, not only during distress.
Recite Surah al-Dukhan on the night preceding Friday.
Give charity through the donation boxes, as announced after the khutbah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 44Its smoke passages frame warning, delayed repentance, and the consequences of ignoring guidance.
Surah 33The second khutbah used it to command believers to send blessings upon the Prophet.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The test of times of ease is more difficult than the test at times of difficulties.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 7:50
“now we all realize that subhanallah, what a great blessing it was just to have clean, fresh, pure air.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 8:46
“But rather, a believer is one who turns to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala in all times, in all conditions.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 21:29
“At that time, make dua to Allah. Be grateful to Allah Ta'ala. Build a relationship with Allah.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 22:29
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that life tests us in both hard and easy seasons. Hard times test our patience, while easy times test whether we remember Allah and show gratitude. The speaker used the recent smoke in Chicagoland to remind us that clean air, health, family, and work are blessings we may overlook. He explained lessons from Surah al-Dukhan and the stories of Quraysh and Pharaoh, who sought Allah in distress but returned to old ways after relief. We should thank Allah, make dua, and nurture our relationship with Him every day, especially when life feels comfortable.

  1. What is one blessing we usually notice only after losing it?
  2. What can our family do this week to show shukr in easy times?
  3. How can we remember Allah when everything is going well?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid DarusSalam21W525 North Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148KhateebSulaiman MahmoodMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at DarusSalam150 khutbahs
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