Give Allah the credit for success
“When you score a goal, when you make a bucket, instead of saying yeah and flexing on people, you should say alhamdulillah.”
Muslims should resist self-admiration by attributing every ability and success to Allah, renewing their intentions, and teaching this humility to their families.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Calls Muslims to practice submission and speak good, upright words.
- Introduces minor shirk through sports, defining ujab and riya as self-admiration and ostentation.
- Explains how claiming personal credit for success ignores Allah’s gifts and becomes arrogance.
- Retells the two-garden story from Surah al-Kahf as a warning about wealth and self-reliance.
- Applies the lesson to sports, exams, appearance, and parenting through gratitude and humility.
- Uses the hadith on intentions to encourage Allah-centered intentions in ordinary activities.
- Closes with supplication and reminders to remember Allah, give thanks, do good, be just, and avoid oppression.
In the khateeb's words
“These can be a means for us to have relaxation and repose, to come closer to Allah”
“So when you score a goal, when you make a bucket, instead of saying yeah and flexing on people, you should say alhamdulillah.”
“When I go play soccer, bismillah. You mentioned Allah, now this thing becomes a good deed for you and you're reminded of Allah whilst doing that thing.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah warns that ordinary success can feed self-admiration when we forget that Allah gave us our abilities and opportunities. The speaker uses the two-garden story in Surah al-Kahf to show how wealth and achievement can make a person arrogant and forgetful. He encourages us to renew our intention before everyday activities, say alhamdulillah when things go well, and remember Allah while we work, play, study, or post online. Parents are asked to help children grow in confidence without becoming full of themselves, connecting their achievements with gratitude to Allah.
- What is one success for which you can thank Allah today?
- How can a sport, game, or hobby become a good deed?
- What can our family say when someone does something well?
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influences
Lowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored