9:03 Do not get yourself…10:30 let me go through my…
Family & marriageFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 19, 2026.

Focus on the duties Allah gave you

Imam Ali Center · Mustafa Akhound

“Let me go through my job description on a daily basis as a father again, as a mother, as a husband, as a wife.”

The khateeb, at 10:30

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that believers should focus their limited time and abilities on Allah-given responsibilities, keep mortality and the afterlife in view, and make decisions that draw them closer to Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces prioritization as the cure for scattered and incompatible pursuits.
  2. Applies this principle to personal limits, family duties, parenting, and spousal support.
  3. Warns against overwork, people-pleasing, and taking responsibility beyond one's role.
  4. Urges careful spouse selection based on future parenting responsibilities.
  5. Uses Rasulullah's three-stick parable to contrast mortality with long-term desires.
  6. Closes by encouraging daily duty, trust in Allah, and decisions oriented toward Him.
Try this week
Review your responsibilities daily as a parent, spouse, and community member.
Prioritize duties Allah will ask about instead of comparing yourself with others.
Delegate tasks and avoid taking responsibility beyond your capacity or role.
Choose a spouse with attention to their future qualities as a parent.
Evaluate major and minor decisions by whether they bring you closer to Allah.
Pray for guidance and fulfill today's duties while keeping the afterlife in mind.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 103Frames human loss and the need for faith, righteous action, truth, and patience.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Do not get yourself occupied in something that has nothing to do with you.”
Imam Ali Center · Springfield, VA
Play from 9:03
“let me go through my job description on a daily basis as a father again, as a mother, as a husband, as a wife.”
Imam Ali Center · Springfield, VA
Play from 10:30
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Allah gives each person limited time, energy, and responsibilities. We should not compare our abilities with other people's or try to do everything at once. Instead, we should identify our responsibilities as parents, spouses, and community members and fulfill them faithfully. The sermon also reminds us that worldly plans may end before we reach them, so our choices should keep the afterlife in view. When we do today's duties and aim to please Allah, we can live with greater peace and purpose.

  1. What is one responsibility you want to focus on more this week?
  2. What helps you remember what matters most when you feel worried about the future?
  3. How can a family help one another avoid taking on too much?
Where it was given

The masjid

Imam Ali Center7900 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150Jumu'ah Friday | 1:15 PM | Friday PrayerKhateebMustafa AkhoundMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Imam Ali Center5 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