Remember past blessings before seeking new ones
“Those who forget the past will have no future.”
Gratitude grows when believers remember Allah’s past blessings, including creation, guidance, prophetic deliverance, and the Prophet’s birth, so they can seek a better future.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Rabi al-Awwal and notes differing reports about the Prophet’s birth date, emphasizing Monday.
- Explains fasting Monday as gratitude for the blessings of birth, existence, and guidance.
- Uses Musa’s story to show why believers should remember earlier blessings before asking for new ones.
- Connects Ashura with remembering Musa’s deliverance from Pharaoh and the Qur’anic command to remember Allah’s days.
- Argues that remembering past blessings prepares believers for a better future.
- Addresses scholarly disagreement about commemorating important religious landmarks and cautions against imposing one view.
In the khateeb's words
“The foremost of all blessings, the blessing of being, of existing, of being created, to exist.”
“When you ask for new ones, first you remember the old ones.”
“This is much bigger than that. So remember Allah's blessing, whichever way you can. It's all dhikr.”
“But those who forget the past will have no future.”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah taught that one of Allah’s greatest gifts is bringing us into existence and guiding us. The khateeb urged us to remember earlier blessings before asking for new ones, using the Prophet’s Monday fast and the fasting of Ashura as examples of gratitude. He pointed to the stories of Musa and the Qur’anic reminder to remember the days of Allah, so the past can guide a better future. He also acknowledged disagreement about commemorating important religious landmarks and encouraged thoughtful respect rather than forcing one opinion.
- What is one blessing from the past you want to remember before asking for something new?
- Which story or event helps you feel grateful to Allah, and why?
- What could our family do this week to keep a blessing fresh in our memory?
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