1:09 Even though he was…9:04 never hesitate when…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 23, 2025.

Small acts of service are worship

ICOI

“Helping someone was better than the istighfar.”

The khateeb, at 1:09

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A believer should eagerly seize every opportunity to do good, serving others without hesitation or ego, because even small acts of kindness are worship and opportunities may not return.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Uses Musa’s service and the Prophet’s charity to establish immediate service as a believer’s mindset.
  2. Describes Abu Talha’s donation and Uthman’s purchase of a well as examples of sacrificial communal generosity.
  3. Explains the Companions’ sadness when they missed opportunities to contribute, connecting this to spiritual vitality.
  4. Offers four practices: welcome open doors, act quickly on good, avoid ego, and never belittle small deeds.
  5. Concludes with everyday examples of kindness, prayers for Gaza and suffering Muslims, and congregational prayer.
Try this week
Welcome good initiatives and ask, “How can I help?” even with minimal participation.
Act promptly when an opportunity for good appears, while pausing before sinful choices.
Offer small acts of service: greet the distressed, donate what you can, support a spouse, open doors, and help elders.
Serve without ego, seeking ways to help, uplift, encourage, and show understanding.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Even though he was engaging in a ibadah, but at that given moment, helping someone was better than the istighfar.”
ICOI · Irvine, CA
Play from 1:09
“never hesitate when khayr comes across you and I. Only when it comes to sinning. When it comes to sinning, there must be hesitation.”
ICOI · Irvine, CA
Play from 9:04
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that faith should make us eager to do good for Allah’s sake. The Companions gave generously, helped meet community needs, and felt genuine sadness when they missed chances to serve. We should welcome good initiatives, act before overthinking, and remember that Allah can give the opportunity to someone else. Small kindnesses, greeting someone, helping an elder, supporting a spouse, or giving what we can, are acts of worship. The sermon closes by asking Allah to make us people who spread care, excellence, and relief to those suffering.

  1. What small act of kindness could we do for someone today?
  2. When do we overthink doing good, and what would acting quickly look like?
  3. How can our family support a good idea or community need this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Irvine2 Truman, Irvine, CA 92620Jumu'ah 12:30 PM & 1:45 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICOI69 khutbahs
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