20:11 the mighty powers of…32:00 Salat is made to be a…33:55 If you pray on time,…36:21 the weapon of the…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Prayer keeps us steady through trials

ICSC · Saleh Kholaki

“If you pray on time, rest assured that Allah loves you.”

The khateeb, at 33:55

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Fulfilling our covenant with Allah means making timely salah central to life and using prayer, dhikr, repentance, and steadfastness to face personal and communal trials.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Connects Quranic victory and reassurance to Gaza and prays for the oppressed.
  2. Discusses Syria's liberation and the devastating Los Angeles fires, emphasizing patience, gratitude, and communal care.
  3. Explains that worshipping Allah and maintaining prayer fulfill humanity's covenant with Him.
  4. Presents salah as relief, connection, and protection from Satan, while warning against abandoning prayer.
  5. Recommends Tahajjud, maintaining wudu, praying two rak'ahs after renewal, and frequent istighfar.
  6. Closes with supplication, congregational prayer, a janazah announcement, and a brief fundraiser request.
Try this week
Keep the five daily prayers on time.
Wake before Fajr, if able, to pray Tahajjud.
Maintain wudu and pray two rak'ahs after renewing it when time allows.
Repeat istighfar frequently, including at night.
Participate in the announced janazah prayer and pray for those suffering.
Support the Islamic center's pre-Ramadan fundraiser.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Explains fear, loss, and disaster as tests requiring patience and return to Allah.
Surah 36Defines humanity's covenant as refusing to worship Satan.
Surah 4Argues that Satan's strategy is weak against obedient believers.
Surah 74Warns that abandoning prayer and neglecting the poor lead to punishment.
Surah 8Connects frequent istighfar with protection from punishment and tranquility.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the mighty powers of the world could not defeat the will and the belief of our brothers and sisters in Gaza.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 20:11
“Salat is made to be a joy, to be a time to connect with our Creator,”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 32:00
“If you pray on time, rest assured that Allah loves you.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 33:55
“the weapon of the believer is prayer and dhikr, remembering Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 36:21
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminded us that Muslims face painful trials in the world and at home, including war, displacement, and devastating fires. It taught that our covenant with Allah is kept by worshipping Him alone and guarding the five daily prayers. Prayer is not only an obligation; it can bring comfort, guidance, and closeness to our Creator. We were encouraged to pray on time, keep wudu, add two rak'ahs when able, wake for Tahajjud, and make frequent istighfar. We should also respond to suffering by praying for people, helping where we can, and honoring those who serve the community.

  1. What helps you remember to pray on time?
  2. How can our family show care when people nearby are suffering?
  3. What is one small worship habit you would like to build?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Southern California434 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020Jumu'ah Qur’an recitation 12:45 PM · Khutbah 1:00 PM · prayer 1:30 PMKhateebSaleh KholakiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICSC71 khutbahs
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