Sincere intentions share in Hajj's reward
“If I'm unable to slaughter the hadhi over there, let me slaughter my desires here.”
The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special opportunity to multiply worship and service, and sincere intentions let even those unable to perform Hajj share in its reward through accessible acts of devotion and kindness.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Treat the ten days as a season for extra Qur'an, charity, prayer, reconciliation, and renewed relationships.
- Emphasize sincere intention, especially for those unable to attend Hajj.
- Translate Hajj rites into local spiritual practices such as fasting, surrender, self-restraint, and resisting Shaytan.
- Present accessible ways to gain immense reward through congregation, remembrance, learning, teaching, serving parents, and dhikr.
- Show how consistent small habits and sincere intentions can help the poor compete in righteousness.
- Use Abu Bakr's example to encourage fasting, funeral attendance, feeding the poor, visiting the sick, and bringing joy to others.
In the khateeb's words
“So if a person wasn't able to go to hajj and they wanted to sincerely, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala can give them the reward of hajj.”
“If I'm unable to slaughter the hadhi over there, let me slaughter my desires here.”
“This question of why is arguably the most important question that we can ask ourselves. Why am I doing this?”
“One of the most beloved deeds to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is joy that you bring to another Muslim happiness you make them smile”
For the dinner table
This khutbah teaches that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are a special chance to increase worship and good deeds. The khateeb emphasized that sincere intention matters: even when we cannot go to Hajj, we can seek its meaning through fasting, surrendering to Allah, resisting our desires, and serving others. He offered accessible practices such as staying after Fajr for remembrance and two rak'ahs, attending the masjid, learning or teaching, serving parents, and regular dhikr. He also reminded us that small acts compound, and that visiting the sick, attending funerals, feeding the poor, and bringing joy can lead to great reward. We can make these days meaningful by choosing a few sincere actions and carrying them into daily life.
- What is one small good deed you could repeat every day until it becomes a habit?
- When have you brought someone happiness or helped a family member, and how did it affect you?
- What would sincere intention look like in something you already do?
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