Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 10, 2026.

Mosques are for worship and unity

Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Elmar Shakir

“Come to the house of Allah to worship Allah after every one of your prayers.”

The khateeb, at 15:03

In one sentence

Mosques are houses of Allah built for worship and Muslim unity, not for socializing, division, or control, and Muslim men must prioritize praying the five daily prayers in congregation.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Mosques exist for Allah's worship and communal unity, not for control or division among Muslims.
  2. Men are responsible to pray all five daily prayers in congregation (jama'a), with praying alone only as an exception.
  3. The prophetic call is to tawhid and clear evidence, which unites the people of Allah on truth.
  4. Warning against reducing mosques to social halls or event venues instead of places of worship.
  5. Exhortation to attend the mosque consistently, not only for Friday Jum'ah.
  6. Du'a for proper understanding of the religion and salvation from Hellfire.
Try this week
Pray all five daily prayers in congregation at the mosque, treating praying alone only as an exception.
Resist efforts to build or use mosques to divide Muslims or assert control over others.
Do not reduce the mosque to a social hall or event space; prioritize worship.
Speak courageously to brothers who neglect daily congregational prayer.
Ask Allah for a proper understanding of the religion and protection from the Hellfire.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“We don't construct the houses of Allah so that we can divide the masters of the Muslims.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 11:08
“We construct the houses of Allah so that we can remember Allah more conveniently if we know that there's a master right down the street,”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 11:14
“Don't turn the massages of Allah into social halls. Don't turn the houses of Allah into places where people gather for food and drink.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 14:12
“Men, I am talking to you all particularly. Come to the house of Allah to worship Allah after every one of your prayers.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 15:03
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminded us that masjids are built to help people remember and worship Allah, not to divide Muslims or function only as social halls. Congregational prayer is an important responsibility, especially for men, and we should strive to attend the masjid regularly. When we make mistakes or fall into sin, we should follow them with good deeds and keep turning back to Allah. The speaker encouraged us to be honest about our shortcomings, courageous in speaking the truth, and committed to unity upon what is right.

  1. What helps you feel connected to the masjid?
  2. What good deed could you do after making a mistake?
  3. How can our family make attending salah together easier?