Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 26, 2026.
Strive for excellence in both worlds
“Only the one whose soul aspires to all that is great seeks greatness.”
In one sentence
Muslims should refuse mediocrity and strive for excellence in both worldly responsibilities and worship, using worldly means to build the hereafter and becoming people of generous action.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- The khutbah uses mountains, valleys, and birds as metaphors for different moral and spiritual levels.
- It urges listeners to follow people strong in knowledge and action and never settle for mediocrity.
- It connects ambition and personal will with pursuing excellence in both dunya and akhirah.
- It presents worldly life as a means for building the hereafter and invokes supplication for good in both lives.
- It closes by urging listeners to become givers and asking Allah for guidance, strength, and righteous action.
Try this week
Strive every day to improve in both worldly life and the hereafter.
Ask Allah for good in this life and the hereafter, then use worldly means to build the hereafter.
Practice worship and service through prayer, fasting, charity, feeding the hungry, attending funerals, and visiting the sick.
Choose to become among the givers rather than only the takers.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih MuslimThe report of Abu Bakr combining fasting, attending a funeral, feeding a hungry person, and visiting the sick illustrates exceptional action.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Because we're not living to eat and drink. We drink and eat to live. We have a greater purpose than food and drink.”
“Only the one whose soul aspires to all that is great seeks greatness.”
“We get the good of this life and we utilize that to build the akhira. We use dunya to build the akhira.”
“If you don't know how to give, you're not going to receive. This world is built upon giving and receiving. We give and we receive.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Imam Abdul Aziz reminded us not to settle for mediocrity in our faith or our daily lives. He taught that worldly blessings should help us prepare for the hereafter, not distract us from it. The example of Abu Bakr showed how prayer, fasting, charity, and service can work together. We should aim high, give generously, and ask Allah to help us grow in both worship and character.
- What is one “mountaintop” goal you would like to work toward?
- Who could we help or serve this week?
- How can we use something we have been given to prepare for the hereafter?
Keep listening
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