Compete in good deeds, not worldly status
“The illness is not in competing.”
Muslims should cultivate taqwa by acting immediately on opportunities for worship and competing in good deeds for the akhirah rather than delaying or competing over worldly status.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Calls listeners to taqwa and awareness that Allah observes every thought, word, and action.
- Uses the story of Ukasha to show the virtue of seizing opportunities for Jannah.
- Uses Afif al-Kindi’s regret to warn against delaying prayer, congregation, and inviting others to the masjid.
- Contrasts worldly competition with competing in good deeds, prayer, Jumu'ah, and forgiveness.
- Uses Abu Dharr’s hadith and the examples of Umar and Abu Bakr to show that everyone can give charity and pursue spiritual excellence.
- Closes by urging listeners to use their blessings for good and praying for oppressed Muslims.
In the khateeb's words
“opportunity brothers and sisters are presented to every one of us and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala He gives you this opportunity and it is upon you to make that move now”
“the illness is not in competing, no brothers and sisters, the illness is what are you competing for”
“That we should try To use the blessings we have If we have eyes To put them to good use By reading the Quran We have ears We have mouth Use them for good”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that taqwa means living with awareness that Allah sees and knows us. We should act quickly when Allah gives us a chance to pray, attend Jumu'ah, invite someone to the masjid, give charity, or do another good deed. Instead of competing over cars, homes, phones, and status, we should compete in goodness and use the blessings we have for worship. The stories of Ukasha, Afif, Umar, and Abu Bakr show both the cost of delay and the beauty of sincere generosity and trust in Allah. This week, we can take one immediate step toward the akhirah and encourage one another to do the same.
- What is one good opportunity you have noticed but delayed acting on?
- What blessing could you use this week to help someone else?
- What would healthy competition in good deeds look like in our family?
The masjid
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