8:57 Children do not listen…11:40 Not what we say, but…
Family & marriageFrom the masjid's own video, May 3, 2026.

Children learn faith from what parents live

ICSC · Asim Buyuksoy

“Children do not listen as much as they imitate.”

The khateeb, at 8:57

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Parents protect and strengthen their children’s faith by modeling Islam, nurturing love for Allah and His Messenger, and choosing supportive environments.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Establishes parenting as a religious responsibility using Surah al-Tahreem.
  2. Explains how fitrah and the home environment shape children.
  3. Calls parents to build love for Allah and the Prophet through lived experience.
  4. Recommends Islamic schools and righteous companionship.
  5. Closes with persistent dua, patience, and hope in Allah’s guidance.
Try this week
Model the five daily prayers and regular Qur’an engagement.
Pray and make dua with children.
Speak about Allah in everyday family life.
Teach children Allah’s mercy and the Prophet’s character through stories.
Help children connect with Qur’an meanings, not only memorize it.
Choose schools and companions that support Islamic values.
Make constant dua for children and do not give up on them.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Children do not listen as much as they imitate. So then, if they see you praying five daily prayers and it is important to you, then it will become important to them.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 8:57
“Not what we say, but what we live. Because it is not our words alone that shapes them, but it is our lifestyle, our actions, and our consistency.”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 11:40
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Sheikh Asim reminded us that our children are a trust from Allah, and caring for them includes nurturing their hearts and faith. He shared three foundations: living as an example, building love for Allah and His Messenger, and choosing an environment that supports faith and good character. His memory of waking up to his father's Qur'an recitation showed how ordinary moments at home can leave a lasting love for Allah's words. Praying together, making dua, and sharing the Prophet's kindness can help that love grow. When challenges come, we should keep caring, keep making dua, and never give up on our children, remembering that guidance comes from Allah.

  1. What story about the Prophet's kindness would you like us to talk about together?
  2. What qualities in a friend help you become the person you want to be?
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 PMKhateebAsim BuyuksoyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICSC71 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Family & marriage

All on this topic
Don't let a moment of disagreement turn into conflict where years of good are forgotten like that.14:45IAR Atwater · Southwest Raleigh, NC · Oct 31, 2026Protect relationships when disagreements ariseEPIC · Plano, TX · Oct 30, 2026Honor your mother while you still can“Call sometimes just because you want to hear her voice.”We cannot have disrespectful parents disrespecting each other in the presence of their kids.22:41UMMA · Southfield, MI · Sep 19, 2026Faith shows in how we treat family