9:31 Allah will look at…39:32 We don't answer hatred…
Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 23, 2026.

Hajj teaches devotion, sacrifice, and peace

El-Zahra · Mutaz Charaf

“Allah will look at your heart, Allah will look at your deeds.”

The khateeb, at 9:31

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In one sentence

The sacred days of Dhul-Hijjah and the example of Ibrahim teach devotion, equality, patience, sacrifice, and peaceful service, which Muslims should embody in their communities.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Honor the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah through fasting, dhikr, Quran, charity, reconciliation, and good deeds.
  2. Hajj demonstrates equality, peace, humility, repentance, diversity, and service.
  3. Arafah is especially virtuous for fasting, supplication, forgiveness, and liberation from the Fire.
  4. The trials of Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismail teach trust, patience, obedience, tawhid, and sacrifice.
  5. Hajj rituals and Eid sacrifice express sincere servanthood and obedience to Allah.
  6. Iblis represents racism and arrogance; Muslims must reject discrimination, hatred, and violence.
  7. Following a San Diego attack, the community should answer hatred with peace, education, wise advocacy, and service.
Try this week
Fast the Day of Arafah if able.
Increase dhikr, including tahlil, tahmid, takbir, and tasbih, throughout the ten days.
Read Quran, give sadaqah, reconcile with others, and perform good deeds.
Make abundant dua, seek forgiveness, forgive others, and purify the heart on Arafah.
Offer the Eid sacrifice if financially able, following one's school of thought.
Counter hatred through peaceful education, wise speech, service, and being a good role model.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 5:3Used to connect the Day of Arafah with the completion of religion and Allah's blessing.
Quran 49:13Used to teach that humanity's diversity is intentional and that righteousness, not race or status, determines honor.
Quran 37:102-107
Quran 5:32Used to emphasize that saving one life is like saving all humanity.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Allah will look at your heart, Allah will look at your deeds. That's how we are evaluated. Make sure your heart is pure, make sure your deeds are good.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 9:31
“We don't answer hatred with hatred. We never justify violence and we don't answer violence by violence.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 39:32
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The imam reminded us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are precious opportunities to remember Allah, read Qur'an, give charity, and make peace with others. He encouraged fasting and making dua on Arafah, emphasizing Allah's mercy and forgiveness. He described Hajj as a lesson in equality, where our hearts and actions matter more than our appearance or background. Through the story of Ibrahim and his family, he highlighted patience, trust in Allah, and sacrifice. He also called us to reject racism and hatred, care for our neighbors, and respond to harm with peace, wisdom, and service.

  1. What good deed could we make time for together during these blessed days?
  2. When could pausing to think help you respond more patiently?
  3. How could our family help a neighbor feel welcomed and respected?
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 PMKhateebMutaz CharafMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at El-Zahra48 khutbahs
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