Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Put Allah before desire, status, and wealth
“If Allah wanted to give this person that, I'm pleased with it.”
In one sentence
A believer should apply Qur'anic guidance to reorient love, self-control, status, envy, conflict, provision, and reliance toward Allah and the Hereafter while pursuing knowledge.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Hatim al-Asamm’s eight lessons from his teacher Shaqiq al-Balkhi.
- Lesson 1: make good deeds and love of Allah lasting companions beyond death.
- Lessons 2, 3: discipline the self and invest valuable blessings in the everlasting Hereafter.
- Lessons 4, 6: seek honor through taqwa, abandon envy, and take Shaytan, not fellow Muslims, as the enemy.
- Lessons 7, 8: trust Allah for provision and rely on Him rather than health, wealth, or skills.
- Closes by urging commitment to Qur'an learning and companionship with people of knowledge.
Try this week
Make good deeds and love of Allah lasting priorities.
Work on controlling desires and reforming personal character.
Seek honor through taqwa rather than fame, wealth, or status.
Abandon envy by remembering that Allah distributes every blessing.
Take Shaytan as the enemy instead of treating fellow Muslims as enemies.
Focus on responsibilities toward Allah, trust Him for provision, and pursue Qur'an knowledge.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 33:70-71Frames truthful speech, corrected deeds, forgiveness, and obedience as the path to success.
Quran 79:40-41Supports disciplining the self by resisting desires.
Quran 16:96Contrasts temporary worldly possessions with what remains with Allah.
Quran 49:13Defines true honor through taqwa rather than status, fame, or wealth.
Quran 43:32Teaches that Allah distributes people's provisions, undermining envy.
Quran 35:6Directs believers to treat Shaytan as their enemy.
Quran 11:6Affirms that Allah provides sustenance for every creature.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“They control their desires. They do not just act upon their desires.”
“If Allah wanted to give this person that, I'm pleased with it.”
“People are doing things that they would not otherwise do, but they do because of money. They lose their values in pursuit of getting a dollar.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah tells the story of Hatim al-Asamm, who learned eight lasting lessons from his teacher. People and possessions eventually leave us, so we should love Allah, value good deeds, control our desires, and invest in the Hereafter. We should seek honor through taqwa, let go of envy, treat Shaytan, not one another, as our enemy, trust Allah for provision, and rely on Him rather than our health or skills. The speaker also encourages us to learn the Qur'an and stay close to people of knowledge.
- What good deed would you like to make a regular part of your life?
- How can we notice and correct our own faults before criticizing someone else?
- What could our family do this week to learn more Qur'an together?
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