Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 9, 2026.

Stop watching others and trust Allah

“You're not worried about the questions you're going to answer before Allah.”

The khateeb, at 1:05

In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Muslims must stop spying on, envying, and obsessing over others, focus on their own accountability to Allah, and trust that Allah controls people’s elevation.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Warns that Muslims may avoid pork yet still harm fellow Muslims through envy and fixation.
  2. Redirects attention from others’ status toward personal accountability before Allah.
  3. Invokes “Do not spy” and connects jealousy to Yusuf’s brothers.
  4. Recounts Yusuf’s suffering through slavery, false accusation, imprisonment, and eventual elevation.
  5. Closes by urging perseverance, trust in Allah, prayer for unity, and care for the sick.
Try this week
Stop spying on other people.
Stop obsessing over what others have and focus on your accountability before Allah.
Keep doing your work when others are jealous, trusting Allah’s plan.
Pray for forgiveness, unity among believers, and the sick.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 49:12The prohibition on spying is used to condemn intrusive behavior within the Muslim community.
Surah 12Yusuf’s story illustrates how jealousy caused hardship while Allah ultimately elevated him.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You're not worried about the questions you're going to answer before Allah You're worried about somebody else”
YIC · Yonkers, NY
Play from 1:05
“Because the more they are jealous of you, the more Allah will elevate you.”
YIC · Yonkers, NY
Play from 3:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The speaker warns that a person can reject forbidden food while still harming fellow Muslims through envy, spying, and fixation on what others have. He says our attention should return to our own accountability before Allah, not constant comparison. The story of Yusuf shows that jealousy can lead to serious harm, yet Allah can raise someone through hardship. We can respond by guarding our hearts, continuing our good work, praying for unity, and caring for those who are sick.

  1. What is one way we can focus more on our own deeds instead of comparing ourselves with others?
  2. How can we respond kindly when someone seems jealous of us?
  3. What can Yusuf’s hardships teach us about trusting Allah?