1:29 How do I control my…10:35 when I live for…20:32 We cannot build a…
Community & unityFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 5, 2026.

Put community needs before personal comfort

Islamic Center of

“We cannot build a community where everybody asks, what's best for me and my family?”

The khateeb, at 20:32

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should place their community’s needs above comfortable personal desires by finding concrete ways to serve and refusing to postpone their responsibilities.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. The Ansar’s selflessness illustrates prioritizing community needs over personal comfort.
  2. The expedition of Tabuk demonstrates sacrifice despite distance, heat, hunger, and uncertainty.
  3. Different companions show the difference between inability, sincere regret, and procrastination.
  4. Ka'b ibn Malik’s story warns against delaying religious and communal commitments.
  5. Listeners are urged to serve Dallas through time, skills, civic participation, and advocacy.
Try this week
Give two hours of time to the community, such as volunteering on a Saturday.
Attend school board, city council, or other relevant community meetings.
Learn who your state representative is and contact elected representatives when needed.
Use professional skills and relationships to serve the community, including pro bono work.
Make a phone call, write an email, or show up when others assume someone else will act.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 59The Ansar’s preference for others over themselves grounds the call to put community needs before personal comfort.
Surah 9The verses about those unable to join Tabuk and the seven criers distinguish inability from indifference and sincere regret.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“How do I control my personal desires in light of the community's needs? Do I choose myself over those around me? Me or my community? Me or the needs of Islam and the Muslims?”
Islamic Center of · Coppell, TX
Play from 1:29
“when I live for others, when I live for the community, my lifespan is extended with every person who I helped.”
Islamic Center of · Coppell, TX
Play from 10:35
“We cannot build a community where everybody asks, what's best for me and my family? At some point, somebody has to ask, what does my community need from me?”
Islamic Center of · Coppell, TX
Play from 20:32
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that caring for others sometimes means putting aside something we want. Through the expedition of Tabuk, he described Muslims who accepted hardship because their community needed them. He also reminded us that Allah excuses people who truly cannot help, while describing the deep desire of those who wished they could contribute. Ka'b ibn Malik's story showed how putting things off can cost us an opportunity, and how telling the truth matters when we have fallen short. For our family, showing up could mean giving time, sharing a skill, or helping with a community need instead of assuming someone else will do it.

  1. What good thing have you been putting off, and what would help you start?
  2. What skill or talent could you share with our community?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Coppell612 E Sandy Lake Rd, Suite #100, Coppell, TX 75019ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of11 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Community & unity

All on this topic
There is no such thing as a nobody.19:44Masjid Fulton · Sacramento, CA · Oct 10, 2026No one should feel forgottenThe 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 hostilityICNYC · 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.”