Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 18, 2026.
Supplication requires effort and sincere deeds
“You take the first step, Allah will respond.”
In one sentence
Supplication becomes meaningful when it is joined with sincere worship, Quran-and-Sunnah-guided action, and responsibility toward Allah and other people.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Explains Surah al-Ahqaf 46:15 as a command to honor parents and cultivate gratitude.
- Urges listeners to recognize everyday blessings and express gratitude through righteous action.
- Teaches that supplication must be paired with effort, knowledge, preparation, and responsible parenting.
- Defines accepted deeds as sincere for Allah and consistent with the Quran and Sunnah.
- Warns that debts and other people's rights are not erased without repayment or forgiveness.
- Closes by urging listeners to prepare for death and settle their obligations.
Try this week
Notice and thank Allah for everyday blessings before they are taken away.
Pair every supplication with appropriate effort, preparation, and learning.
Study before asking Allah to help you pass an exam.
Raise children by monitoring their beliefs, prayer, education, friendships, and conduct.
Make deeds sincerely for Allah and follow the Quran and Sunnah.
Repay debts, compensate people, or seek their forgiveness before death.
Write down outstanding obligations and how they should be paid.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 46:15-16Used to teach gratitude, righteous action, prayer for righteous offspring, and Allah's acceptance of good deeds.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“There has to be action. You can ask Allah for all you want, But if you don't put action towards it, you're not serious.”
“You take the first step, Allah will respond. You take a step, Allah will respond. You come closer to Allah, Allah will come closer to you.”
“You do your effort. You inspect. You correct. You advise. You be a parent. And then ask Allah, ta'ala, to make your children righteous.”
“Pay them in this life, better than paying them in the hereafter.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Our khutbah reminds us that Allah wants us to be grateful for His everyday blessings and to turn gratitude into good deeds. Making dua is important, but we should also take the steps that fit the request: learn, study, work, care for ourselves, and raise our children with guidance and attention. A deed is accepted when it is sincerely for Allah and follows the Quran and Sunnah. We should take other people's rights seriously by repaying debts or seeking forgiveness. This week, we can notice one blessing, act on one dua, and repair one responsibility we owe someone.
- What blessing did you notice today that you usually take for granted?
- What dua are you making, and what effort can you add to it?
- Is there a responsibility or promise you need to make right?
Where it was given
The masjid
Islamic Center of Western Suburbs (ICWS)28W774 Army Trail Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185Jumu'ah “Khutbah 1 | 1:05 | pm; Jamaat 1 | 1:25 | pm; Khutbah 2 | 1:35 | pm; Jamaat 2 | 1:55 | pm” (Bartlett location). “Khutbah | 1:15 | pm; Jamaat | 1:35 | pm” (West Chicago location).ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of48 khutbahs
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