5:02 someone who truly…8:54 we are racing in this…25:03 without Allah's help…
Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 9, 2026.

Prepare for Dhul-Hijjah before it begins

ICD · Ammar Shahin

“We are racing in this life for everything other than Jannah.”

The khateeb, at 8:54

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

With the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah approaching, believers must prepare in advance, through repentance, sincere intention, awareness of life's shortness, constant dhikr, and du'a for Allah's tawfiq, so they can seize these most beloved days rather than waste them in heedlessness.

The khutbah in 10 steps

  1. Opening praise and command of taqwa
  2. Allah grants seasons of multiplied goodness; two kinds of people: the heedless and the aware
  3. Every ummah and every person has a fixed term; life is short regardless of age
  4. The Quran commands racing and competing toward Allah, not just worldly goals
  5. Preparation for the ten days must happen before they begin, like warming up
  6. First preparations: repentance to remove heedlessness and sins, and truthfulness of intention
  7. Feeling the shortness of life: act now, for tomorrow is not guaranteed
  8. Fill the season with every act of worship, especially dhikr; at minimum, abstain from sins
  9. Rely on Allah's tawfiq through the du'a the Prophet taught Aisha, not on your own strength
  10. Closing du'a and transition to prayer
Try this week
Repent and seek forgiveness before the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah begin, removing heedlessness and sins
Purify and make truthful your intention in every deed, seeking Allah alone
Fill the ten days with varied worship: Quran recitation, salah, fasting (especially the day of Arafah), sadaqah, and dhikr
Keep the tongue busy with dhikr even while working or driving, subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, istighfar, and the takbirat of Dhul-Hijjah
If unable to perform extra good deeds, at minimum refrain from sins during these days
Regularly make the du'a the Prophet taught Aisha, asking Allah for all good known and unknown, instead of relying on your own strength
Identify and enter the 'door' of worship Allah has opened for you, whether sadaqah, salah, dhikr, or Quran
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 11The two groups: the wretched in the Fire and the blessed in Paradise, used to frame the two kinds of Muslims
Quran 7:34Every nation and person has an exact fixed lifespan that cannot be delayed or advanced by an hour
Quran 83:26The Quran commands competing and racing toward Allah's forgiveness, not taking life easy
Quran 3:133The Quran commands competing and racing toward Allah's forgiveness, not taking life easy
Quran 2:197Hajj spans months, proving preparation for sacred seasons must begin well before the peak days
Quran 51:56The purpose of creation is worship; understanding this purpose draws one closer to Allah
Quran 24:31Allah commands collective repentance as the first step of preparation for the blessed days
Sahih MuslimTruthful intention is rewarded even if death comes before the deed is completed
Sunan Ibn MajahAsk Allah for all good known and unknown; nothing is achieved without His tawfiq
Sahih al-BukhariThe easiest worship during the ten days, dhikr of the tongue even while working
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“someone who truly honors the time and the place and take advantage and someone who is heedless in their life that they end up wasting their entire life”
ICD · Davis, CA
Play from 5:02
“we are racing in this life for everything other than Jannah we are racing to get a better job we are racing to get a better house we are racing to get a better degree”
ICD · Davis, CA
Play from 8:54
“without Allah's help we won't achieve anything if Allah does not open up your heart and my heart to worship Him”
ICD · Davis, CA
Play from 25:03
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

This khutbah reminded us that Allah gives special seasons, like the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, when good deeds count for much more. The khateeb said there are only two kinds of people: those who take advantage of these seasons and those who waste them in heedlessness. He taught that we must prepare before the season starts, just like athletes warm up before a game, by repenting, making our intentions sincere, and remembering that life is short. Even the busiest person can keep their tongue busy saying subhanallah and alhamdulillah, which plants trees in Jannah. Most importantly, he said we cannot do any of this by our own power; we must ask Allah to open our hearts and guide us to goodness, and be thankful for every door of worship He opens for us.

  1. If saying subhanallah while you work or ride in the car plants a seed in Jannah, when could you do it tomorrow?
  2. The khateeb said everyone has a special 'door' of worship, what do you think yours is?
  3. What is one thing our family could do together during the ten best days of the year?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Davis539 Russell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616KhateebAmmar ShahinMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICD29 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Hajj, Umrah & Eid

All on this topic
SNMC · Nepean, ON · Jun 25, 2026Hajj teaches us to defeat the ego“The best of the few people who are in conflict is the one who initiates the salam.”OPPC · Orland Park, IL · Jun 3, 2026The journey back to Allah starts at homePerhaps the real test of Umrah comes after we come home.31:13Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Sep 5, 2026What Ihram teaches after Umrah