19:07 Don't tell me how good…23:52 We had a 40-day…26:07 You want to be…
Civic engagementFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 8, 2026.

Muslims must serve all people

ICGC · Siraj Wahhaj

“How beneficial are you to your family and to the nation, even non-Muslims?”

The khateeb, at 19:07

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A Muslim's faith should be demonstrated by benefiting and caring for all people, family, neighbors, and non-Muslims, through active service and outreach.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Recites Qur'anic passages about guidance, earlier peoples, perseverance, and Allah's help.
  2. Recounts the speaker's move from the Nation of Islam to practicing Islam under Imam Warith Deen Muhammad.
  3. Uses the hadith about benefiting others and a mosque's transformation of a drug-ridden neighborhood.
  4. Argues that Muslim responsibility extends to neighbors and non-Muslims, not only the Muslim community.
  5. Closes with Qur'anic calls to worship, unity, enjoining good, and a prayer request after mosque vandalism.
Try this week
Benefit family members, neighbors, and non-Muslims through concrete service.
Care for neighbors regardless of their religion.
Invite people to the masjid and bring one guest each week.
Practice direct da'wah by speaking with people and introducing them to Islam.
Make dua for the Cincinnati Islamic Community Center after its masjid was vandalized.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 12:108-111The opening recitation emphasizes guidance, reflection on earlier peoples, and Allah's help after hardship.
Quran 3:102-107The closing recitation reinforces worship, unity, and calling toward good.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Don't tell me how good you are. How beneficial are you to your family and to the nation, even non-Muslims.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 19:07
“We had a 40-day anti-drug program where we stood in front of these drug houses and told the people, no more drugs being sold here, period.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 23:52
“You want to be somebody in Cincinnati? You want to be somebody in America? Then our job, our responsibility, is not just for the Muslims. Our responsibility is for the people.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 26:07
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Siraj Wahhaj shared how his community's turn toward Islam led to prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage, but he said faith must become service. He repeated the Prophet's teaching that the best people are those who benefit others, including family, neighbors, and people of other faiths. He described turning a dangerous area with drug houses into a thriving masjid and urged listeners to reach out, invite people, and care for them. He reminded us that racial or national identities do not determine our standing with Allah; faith and beneficial action do. The khutbah closed with Qur'anic calls to hold together, promote good, and remember Allah's blessings.

  1. Who could we help or encourage this week?
  2. How could we welcome one guest to the masjid?
  3. What does caring for a neighbor look like?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati8092 Plantation Drive, West Chester, OH 45069Jumu'ah Three services · 1:30 PM, 2:45 PM & 4:00 PMKhateebSiraj WahhajMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICGC26 khutbahs
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