18:11 Whatever we get,…21:55 O son of Adam, do you…32:44 As Muslims in this…
GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 17, 2026.

Gratitude turns blessings into worship

ICA East Orange · Abu Muslimah

“Whatever Allah has decreed for us, we're to be grateful and thankful for whatever Allah has given us.”

The khateeb, at 18:11

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that gratitude to Allah is a central act of worship expressed through praise, inner recognition, obedience, contentment, charity, and striving for religious growth rather than worldly comparison.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Explains gratitude as a required response to Allah’s blessings, expressed through praise, inner love, and obedient action.
  2. Presents Quranic warnings that gratitude brings increase, while ingratitude can lead to deceptive worldly ease and accountability.
  3. Uses the valley-of-gold hadith and Surah al-Takathur to warn that accumulation distracts from worship.
  4. Retells the Prophet’s meal with Abu Bakr, Umar, and an Ansari host to show that ordinary food and drink are blessings for which people answer.
  5. Teaches listeners to compare downward in worldly possessions but upward in worship, knowledge, and religious practice.
  6. Applies the message to the blessing of Islam and following the Quran and Sunnah, then closes with supplications for gratitude, family righteousness, Paradise, and safety from Hell.
Try this week
Praise and thank Allah with the tongue, recognize His blessings in the heart, and show gratitude through obedience.
Avoid comparing worldly wealth, status, family, or possessions with those who have more; notice those who have less to cultivate gratitude.
Compare yourself upward in worship, knowledge, and religious practice, asking Allah for growth.
Follow the Quran and Sunnah rather than attaching religious practice primarily to personalities or other paths.
Use blessings in charity, since the speaker taught that what is given for Allah is what remains rewarded.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 102Used to warn that competition for worldly gain distracts people until death and leads to questioning about blessings.
Sahih al-BukhariThe valley-of-gold narration illustrates human greed and connects worldly accumulation with distraction from gratitude.
Sahih MuslimReports explain what truly remains as one’s wealth and describe accountability for food, drink, and other blessings.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Whatever we get, whatever Allah has decreed for us, we're to be grateful and thankful for whatever Allah has given us.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 18:11
“O son of Adam, do you have of your wealth except what you ate and it came out?”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 21:55
“As Muslims in this country, obviously, Islam is our greatest blessing that Allah has bestowed upon us.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 32:44
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah teaches that gratitude to Allah is more than saying thank you. We show it with our words, our hearts, and the way we obey Allah with our actions. The speaker warns us not to let wealth, possessions, or comparison distract us from worship, and reminds us that every blessing will be accounted for. We should be content with worldly blessings while striving to grow in knowledge and worship. Above all, we should recognize Islam as one of Allah’s greatest gifts and ask Him to make us grateful.

  1. What is one blessing you noticed today that you usually overlook?
  2. When can comparing yourself with others make gratitude harder?
  3. What is one way you can grow in worship or knowledge this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of America215 N Oraton Pkwy, East Orange, NJ 07017KhateebAbu MuslimahMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICA East Orange54 khutbahs
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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 lifeReal gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well