22:33 understand Allah's…26:29 we fall short and we…31:07 to worship Allah as if…
Qur'an & tafsirFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 3, 2025.

Do not withhold spending in Allah’s cause

ICA East Orange

“Worship Allah as if you see Him but if you don't see Him, know that He sees you.”

The khateeb, at 31:07

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The verse about not throwing oneself into destruction means believers should not withhold charitable spending, abandon religious obligations, or despair after sin, but should pursue sincere worship and good deeds.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Urges careful Quran reading through the understanding of the Prophet and the Companions.
  2. Explains Surah al-Baqarah 2:195 as warning against withholding spending in Allah’s cause.
  3. Uses narrations about Abu Ayyub to distinguish legitimate jihad from terrorism and attacks on innocents.
  4. Applies the verse to despair after sin, emphasizing Allah’s mercy and repentance.
  5. Connects generous giving and ihsan with purification, sincerity, and awareness that Allah sees every act.
  6. Concludes with supplication and congregational prayer.
Try this week
Read and study the Quran through the Prophet’s and the Companions’ understanding.
Give wealth sincerely for Allah’s sake rather than withholding it.
Repent after sin, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and continue doing good deeds.
Practice ihsan by worshipping with awareness that Allah sees you.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:195Central verse, interpreted as warning against withholding spending and other forms of self-destruction.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to support interpreting the verse as referring to giving wealth.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to explain that destruction meant abandoning jihad and focusing only on preserving wealth.
Sahih MuslimDefines ihsan as worshipping Allah with awareness that He sees you.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“understand Allah's book and the sunnah of the messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam with the understanding of the prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam himself and the sahaba”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 22:33
“we fall short and we get weak and we commit sins small ones, major ones, a few of them and many of them but Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala He forgives all sins”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 26:29
“to worship Allah as if you see Him but if you don't see Him, know that He sees you.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 31:07
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb focused on a verse from Surah al-Baqarah that is sometimes misunderstood. He explained that destruction can include withholding spending for Allah’s sake, abandoning important obligations, or giving up hope after sin, not reckless attacks on innocent people. He strongly rejected bombing civilians and other attacks as jihad. He reminded us that Allah’s mercy remains open and that sincere giving, repentance, and good deeds can purify us. The sermon ended by describing ihsan as worshipping with awareness that Allah always sees us.

  1. How can we help someone who feels hopeless after making a mistake?
  2. What might remembering that Allah sees us change about our choices?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of America215 N Oraton Pkwy, East Orange, NJ 07017ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICA East Orange54 khutbahs
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