Allah’s blessings should be shared generously
“If Allah has given you a blessing or a bounty, it is your duty to give generously to your family and to your dependents.”
Imam Ali al-Rida’s teachings guide believers to balance genuine moral agency with Allah’s ultimate power, rely on prayer, use blessings generously, and remember the deceased through visitation.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Imam Ali al-Rida’s teachings on free will and divine justice.
- Rejects both absolute predestination and absolute human independence.
- Uses cooking and furniture-building analogies to explain responsibility for evil and gratitude for good.
- Presents dua as the prophets’ foundational spiritual weapon amid worldly uncertainty.
- Explains gratitude as responsibly enjoying and generously sharing Allah’s blessings with family.
- Recommends regular grave visitation, prayer, and good deeds for deceased believers.
In the khateeb's words
“Allah is more just than for Him to compel and then punish so if I commit a sin I cannot say well this is how God made me”
“it is real power that we have to choose our actions and our destiny and that is why we have moral responsibility for our actions”
“if Allah has given you a ni'ma if Allah has given you a blessing or a bounty it is your duty to give generously to your family and to your dependents”
For the dinner table
Imam Ali al-Rida teaches that Allah gives us real choices, so we are responsible for our actions, while every good thing is still made possible by Allah’s power and guidance. The sermon reminds us that dua is not a last resort; it is the foundation that keeps preparation, hope, and trust in the right place. When Allah gives a family wealth or other blessings, gratitude means using them generously and teaching children humility and responsibility by example. We can also remember loved ones by visiting their graves when able, praying for them, and doing good deeds in their name.
- it is real power that we have to choose our actions and our destiny and that is why we have moral responsibility for our actions
- it is not the weapon of the weak it is not the weapon of last resort
- gratitude means that not only do we verbally say thank you to Allah for what He has given us but we utilize what Allah has given us
- but don't demand it only by preaching or by scolding
- it should be part of our schedule and our plan in our life
More on Gratitude
ICI · Irving, TX · Oct 24, 2026Thank Allah in ease and hardship“Even in moments of difficulty, when it feels like there's nothing going your way, there is always something to be grateful for.”
Either we're receiving a blessing, which calls for shukr, or we're going through a hardship, which calls for sabr.13:29Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA · Sep 19, 2026Gratitude and patience carry believers through life
Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well