Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 4, 2026.

Desire, pride, and greed can destroy us

“It is a thin line between acknowledging what you have, acknowledging your capabilities, and showing off.”

The khateeb, at 17:09

In one sentence

Worldly attachment, pride, stinginess, and unchecked desire become destructive when they control us, while unity requires following the Quran, the Prophet’s Sunnah, and his companions.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Warns against allowing dunya to control one's life.
  2. Explains three destructive tendencies: self-admiration, stinginess, and followed desire.
  3. Uses Iblis, sincerity, generosity, and intention to illustrate personal spiritual dangers.
  4. Warns that minor religious disagreements can fracture Muslim unity.
  5. Illustrates legitimate differences through taraweeh practices and differing Quran recitations.
  6. Calls Muslims to follow the Quran, the Prophet’s Sunnah, and the Sunnah of his companions.
  7. Concludes with Quran recitation and a brief request for masjid donations.
Try this week
Keep worldly possessions under control rather than letting them direct decisions.
Check intentions when doing religious or charitable acts.
Practice generosity instead of following stinginess.
Restrain desires from overriding Quranic and Prophetic guidance.
Preserve Muslim unity despite legitimate differences in practice.
Follow the Prophet’s Sunnah and the Sunnah of his companions.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:258Recited the debate between Ibrahim and a ruler over life, death, and the sun.
Quran 85:12-22Recited verses about Allah’s power, forgiveness, judgment, and the preserved Quran.
Surah 1Recited as part of the closing prayer.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“I'm afraid that you love it so much until you fight for it and until it destroys you just like it did to the nations before you literally”
PIC · Princeton, TX
Play from 12:36
“you realize it is a thin line between acknowledging what you have acknowledging your capabilities and showing off”
PIC · Princeton, TX
Play from 17:09
“everybody is born with desires everybody but the question comes do you drive it or do you allow it to drive you”
PIC · Princeton, TX
Play from 18:52
“if you want to be united if you want to follow the guidance if you want to maintain the path follow my sunnah and the sunnah of my companions”
PIC · Princeton, TX
Play from 26:32
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminded us that worldly life is a tool, not something that should drive our hearts. It named pride, stinginess, and unchecked desire as tendencies that become destructive when we follow them. It also warned that small religious differences should not turn Muslims against one another when the tradition allows legitimate variety. The speaker urged us to return to the Quran, the Prophet’s Sunnah, and the Sunnah of his companions as shared guidance. We can practice this by guarding our intentions, being generous, and maintaining good relationships despite honest differences.

  1. What is one thing we can enjoy without letting it control us?
  2. How can we notice when a good quality is turning into showing off?
  3. What can our family do when we disagree about a religious practice?