8:17 the closest people to…14:08 when a sickness or…15:43 when Allah subhanahu…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 1, 2026.

Prayer and care are prophetic responsibilities

ICLI

“It's a responsibility, it's not superiority, it's a responsibility.”

The khateeb, at 15:43

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Muslims should follow the Prophet’s example by maintaining prayer, responding to hardship with humility, and actively caring for the community and those entrusted to them.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Gratitude for Jumu'ah and the blessing of gathering in the masjid
  2. The Prophet’s final year, Farewell Hajj, and signs of his approaching death
  3. Mu'adh ibn Jabal’s mission and the importance of taqwa and post-prayer supplication
  4. The Prophet’s illness as a test rather than proof of divine punishment
  5. The Prophet’s concern for communal prayer and Abu Bakr’s leadership
  6. Applying prophetic community-mindedness by checking on absent or struggling Muslims
  7. The final emphasis on salah and fulfilling the rights of dependents
Try this week
Recite “Allahuma inni ala dhikrik wa shukrik wa husni ibadetik” after every salah.
Establish salah consistently and do not neglect it.
Check on people who stop attending salah and ask whether they are sick or traveling.
Fulfill the rights of wives, children, employees, and others under one’s care.
Treat leadership in the home or workplace as a responsibility rather than superiority.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the closest people to me are the people of taqwa not those who are closest to me in distance”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 8:17
“when a sickness or calamity befalls us we say why did this happen to me instead of going above and beyond and maybe thinking that this is a test from Allah and Allah will reward me for this test”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 14:08
“when Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gives us the responsibility to be the head of a household it's a responsibility it's not superiority it's a responsibility”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 15:43
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminds us that closeness to the Prophet comes through taqwa, not time or physical distance. The Prophet’s final illness teaches us not to assume that every hardship is punishment, because tests can also bring reward and closeness to Allah. Even while ill, he cared whether people had prayed and guided the community toward Abu Bakr’s leadership. We should build a community that notices absences, checks on people, and supports those who are struggling. At home and at work, prayer and caring for those entrusted to us are responsibilities, not signs of superiority.

  1. Who could we check on this week if they have been missing from the masjid or school?
  2. What does it look like to treat responsibility as service rather than superiority?
  3. How can salah help us respond when life becomes difficult?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Long Island835 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury, NY 11590ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICLI48 khutbahs
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