7:55 Knowledge is like…9:27 If you wanted to…10:37 Build the connection…10:55 You will find Allah…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 8, 2026.

Teach children to love Allah first

ICCNY Stamford · Ahmed Deifalla

“Build the connection with your kids, with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”

The khateeb, at 10:37

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Education should be treated as a gift from Allah and rooted in a loving relationship with Him, so parents guide children toward faith, prayer, trust, and lifelong learning.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. The new school year is presented as an opportunity to pursue knowledge as a gift from Allah.
  2. Adam’s teaching, the first revelation, and the pen connect education with divine instruction.
  3. Learning requires teachers, books, writing, and the faculties Allah gives human beings.
  4. Parents should build children’s love for Allah before emphasizing rules or fear.
  5. Children should learn simple tawhid, trust Allah’s decree, and seek His help.
  6. Parents should patiently repeat reminders about prayer and continue guiding children through fatigue or forgetfulness.
  7. The khutbah closes by emphasizing humility before Allah’s knowledge and making du'a for children.
Try this week
Build children’s relationship with Allah through love before emphasizing laws or rules.
Teach children simple statements of tawhid and trust in Allah’s control over benefit and harm.
Repeat brief reminders about prayer patiently and consistently, especially when children forget or feel tired.
Encourage learning step by step and writing down knowledge to aid memorization.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Presents knowledge as part of humanity’s beginning and divine teaching.
Surah 96Connects reading, revelation, the pen, and human learning.
Surah 16Explains the faculties that enable the educational process.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Knowledge is like birds. How you catch the birds when you write. It makes it easy for you to memorize.”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 7:55
“If you wanted to present something to him about Iman, about faith, he should first love Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 9:27
“Build the connection with your kids, with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 10:37
“You will find Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to help you and support you every step, everywhere, every place.”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 10:55
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb described the new school year as an opportunity to grow in knowledge and skills, remembering that knowledge comes from Allah. He encouraged families to help children love Allah and build a healthy relationship with Him before emphasizing rules. Drawing on the Prophet’s advice to a young boy, he highlighted kindness, trust in Allah, and seeking His help. He also encouraged patient reminders about prayer and explained how writing helps us remember what we learn. Even as we learn more, we should stay humble, remembering how little we know compared with Allah’s knowledge.

  1. What is one thing you learned today that you would like to write down and remember?
  2. What helps you feel love for Allah during an ordinary school day?
  3. How could we remind each other to pray in a kind and patient way?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Stamford1558 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06905Jumu'ah 1:00 PMKhateebAhmed DeifallaMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICCNY Stamford11 khutbahs
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