11:11 If Allah told you to…18:07 Everything that we…
GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, May 2, 2026.

Allah's gifts are trusts to use well

Ulu Cami · Ulu Cami

“Everything that we have is truly for Allah.”

The khateeb, at 18:07

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In one sentence

The story of Ibrahim's family teaches that everything Allah gives is a trust to be used in worship, gratitude, and willing sacrifice for His sake.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the approaching Hajj and its connection to Ibrahim's family.
  2. Recounts Ibrahim's longing for a child and Allah's gift of Ismail.
  3. Describes Ibrahim leaving Hajar and Ismail in Mecca, and Hajar's trust in Allah.
  4. Recounts Hajar's search for help, Zamzam, and Ismail's acceptance of sacrifice.
  5. Applies the family's example to stewardship of time, health, mind, and resources.
  6. Urges gratitude, sacrifice, and hope in Allah's greater reward before closing with du'a.
Try this week
Use time for Allah's sake.
Use health and the body to please Allah.
Use the mind for the sake of the deen.
Spend resources and other blessings for Allah's sake.
Regularly ask whether Allah's gifts are being used for His pleasure.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“If Allah told you to do it. He will take care of us.”
Ulu Cami · Paterson, NJ
Play from 11:11
“Everything that we have Is truly for Allah Everything we have was given to us by Allah We didn't do anything to get it Other than Allah gave us His mercy”
Ulu Cami · Paterson, NJ
Play from 18:07
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah prepares us for Hajj by remembering Ibrahim, Hajar, and Ismail, whose family showed extraordinary trust in Allah. Ibrahim left his family in a barren valley because Allah commanded him, and Hajar trusted that Allah would care for them; Ismail likewise accepted Allah's command with patience. Their story reminds us that our time, health, minds, bodies, and resources are gifts entrusted to us, not possessions we own permanently. We should use those gifts for worship, gratitude, and service to Allah. When we give for Allah's sake, we can trust His promise of increase and hope for a reward greater than this world.

  1. What is one blessing Allah gave you that you can use for His sake this week?
  2. How can our family show trust in Allah when something feels difficult?
  3. What does it mean to be a caretaker instead of an owner?
Where it was given

The masjid

United Islamic Center of Paterson (Ulu Cami)408 Knickerbocker Ave, Paterson, NJ 07503Jumu'ah Preliminary sermon 11:45 AM · Khutbah 12:15 PM · Iqamah 12:30 PM (winter schedule, through March 13, 2027; one hour later during daylight saving time)KhateebUlu CamiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Ulu Cami12 khutbahs
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