Endure hardship to build a better community
“You only get to paradise by doing the best of deeds.”
The khutbah argues that believers must respond to Allah's promise of belonging and security by enduring hardship, pursuing the best deeds, speaking up for Islamic values, and helping build an inclusive, compassionate community.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Reads the opening of Surah al-Balad as a promise that every person has a place, with migration available when worship is obstructed.
- Connects Mecca's establishment to Ibrahim, Ishmael, and Ishmael's mother, whose hardship and prayer helped establish a compassionate city.
- Interprets hardship and the rocky path as the struggle required to build a renewed community and New Africa.
- Urges listeners to set standards and speak up in workplaces, schools, and family spaces, illustrated by changing a violent doll costume.
- Calls for gratitude, awareness that blessings can be taken away, and excellence in deeds as life's purpose.
- Ends with calls to support Jumu'ah setup, study, maintenance, community events, and civic work.
In the khateeb's words
“It's just in my hand. It can be taken out of my hand at any moment.”
“You only get to paradise by doing the best of deeds. That's the gist.”
“That's the walk on the hard road. Ain't nobody else doing it. So you got to go first.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb described Allah's promise that every person has a place to live and worship. He connected that promise to Ibrahim, Ishmael, and Ishmael's mother, whose hardship and prayer helped establish a compassionate city. We should accept difficult work, be grateful for blessings that can disappear, and try to do the best deeds in every part of life. We can help build our community by speaking up respectfully, welcoming others, serving the mosque, and taking part in neighborhood and civic life.
- Where could you be a trailblazer this week, even if no one else has started?
- What is one blessing you want to thank Allah for and care for today?
- How can our family help make the mosque or neighborhood better?
More on Community & unity
There is no such thing as a nobody.19:44Masjid Fulton · Sacramento, CA · Oct 10, 2026No one should feel forgotten
The question is how do we disagree without destroying our relationships and our communities?14:27Al-Misbah Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON · Oct 3, 2026How to disagree without hostility
ICNYC · Greenwich Village, NY · Sep 26, 2026True faith serves people and Allah“We have a comprehensive and holistic understanding of this deen that goes beyond just benefiting ourselves to benefiting humanity at large.”