11:52 what you do when the…30:45 it's not perfection…
Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 15, 2026.

How Dhul Hijjah can transform your heart

FVAMC · Khizer Ali

“What you do when the crowd disappears tells you a lot about yourself.”

The khateeb, at 11:52

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a divinely honored opportunity to transform oneself through intentional worship, dua, heart purification, and sincere repentance.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah as more virtuous than any other days of the year.
  2. Contrasts Ramadan’s communal momentum with the personal discipline required when the crowd disappears.
  3. Explains that Hajj aims to transform people and purify the heart.
  4. Offers four practices: sincere intention, dua, avoiding sinful conflict, and seeking forgiveness.
  5. Uses stories of Fudayl ibn Iyad and other converts to emphasize hope and life-changing repentance.
  6. Concludes with announcements about Umrah sponsorship, Eid prayer, charitable fundraising, and a Nakba commemoration.
Try this week
Make a sincere niyyah before sleeping, working, eating, and fulfilling family responsibilities.
Make abundant dua during the first ten days, especially on the Day of Arafah.
Recite the recommended declaration beginning “la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lak.”
Memorize and recite “Rabbana atina fi al-dunya hasanah...” while asking for both worldly and eternal good.
Avoid backbiting, sinful habits, arguments, and harmful relationships; seek lasting repentance rather than a temporary break.
Fast as much as possible during the first ten days and do additional good deeds.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Supports balanced supplication for worldly and afterlife good, and avoiding sinful conduct and arguments during Hajj.
Surah 57Illustrates how a Quranic reminder can soften the heart and prompt complete repentance.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“what you do when the crowd disappears tells you a lot about yourself”
FVAMC · Avon, CT
Play from 11:52
“it's not perfection but transformation and this is the spirit of hajj”
FVAMC · Avon, CT
Play from 30:45
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the best days of the year. Unlike Ramadan, their blessings are especially connected to what we do during the daytime, even while working and caring for our families. We can turn ordinary responsibilities into worship by making a sincere intention, and we can fill these days with dua, fasting, Quran, and good deeds. Hajj teaches us to purify the heart by leaving arguments, arrogance, racism, and sinful habits behind. The message is hopeful: Allah gives us opportunities to change, and transformation matters more than temporary perfection.

  1. What good habit could you practice during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?
  2. How can an intention turn school, chores, or work into worship?
  3. What might purifying your heart look like during a disagreement?
Where it was given

The masjid

Farmington Valley American Muslim Center35 Harris Road, Avon, CT 06001Jumu'ah 12:30 PM & 1:30 PMKhateebKhizer AliMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at FVAMC23 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Hajj, Umrah & Eid

All on this topic
SNMC · Nepean, ON · Jun 25, 2026Hajj teaches us to defeat the ego“The best of the few people who are in conflict is the one who initiates the salam.”OPPC · Orland Park, IL · Jun 3, 2026The journey back to Allah starts at homePerhaps the real test of Umrah comes after we come home.31:13Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Sep 5, 2026What Ihram teaches after Umrah