Closeness to Allah starts with obligations
“There is nothing my servant can do to earn closeness to me that is more effective and more beloved to me than fulfilling the obligations I gave them.”
Closeness to Allah begins with fulfilling every obligation, grows through extra worship, and is sustained by learning the deen within Allah's unwavering mercy.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Reframes the discussion from diagnosing distance from Allah to pursuing closeness.
- Emphasizes that Allah clearly teaches the path and never disowns or abandons His servants.
- Presents fulfilling all obligations, including duties to people, as the foundation.
- Warns against replacing foundational duties with optional acts, then urges building through nawafil.
- Explains that extra acts can protect obligations and lead to willing obedience.
- Calls listeners to learn their deen through study, scholars, halaqahs, and family commitment.
- Closes by asking whether Islam will remain a checklist or become an identity.
In the khateeb's words
“yes you missing salah for years on end don't worry you are still my servant I will never disown you”
“there is nothing my servant can do to earn closeness to me that is more effective and more beloved to me than fulfilling the obligations I gave them”
“the foundation must be set and each and every one of you here has a unique building you're going to build that not every house has to be the same but every foundation must remain strong”
For the dinner table
Allah wants us close to Him, and He has made the path clear. We begin by taking care of every obligation, not only prayer and fasting, but also the rights of our spouses, children, parents, and wider community. Then we add extra worship, because voluntary acts strengthen our foundations rather than replace them. We grow by learning our deen, studying together, and helping our children learn it too. Islam is not just a list of tasks; it should shape who we are.
- Which responsibility to another person can you improve this week?
- What extra act of worship could help protect one of your obligations?
- What part of the deen would you like our family to study together?
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