10:13 This thing that I'm…12:40 This is a valuable…17:26 If we have a good…
Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 3, 2025.

Accepted deeds need sincerity and Sunnah

Pillars

“Am I doing it to seek Allah's pleasure?”

The khateeb, at 10:13

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Allah accepts a deed only when it is sincerely intended for Him and performed according to what He and His Messenger legislated, so good ends cannot excuse improper means.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces sincerity and conformity to the Sunnah as the two conditions for accepted deeds.
  2. Uses Quranic and hadith-based guidance to explain sincerity and reject showing off.
  3. Applies the sincerity test to social media, praise, and private worship.
  4. Explains that religious practice must follow the Prophet rather than cultural custom.
  5. Rejects the idea that a good end excuses unlawful means.
  6. Closes with self-examination, lawful action, and supplication.
Try this week
Ask whether each good deed is for Allah’s pleasure or people’s praise.
Learn and follow the Prophet’s Sunnah rather than treating culture as religion.
Keep private acts of worship private when possible.
Redirect distracting thoughts back to prayer.
Use lawful means when helping others.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih MuslimUsed to warn that Allah rejects deeds mixed with seeking others' praise.
Surah 98Used to emphasize worshipping Allah alone with sincere devotion.
Surah 67Used to explain that life tests who performs the best deeds.
Surah 5Used to support the claim that Allah accepts deeds from the righteous.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“This thing that I'm doing, Am I doing it to seek Allah's pleasure? Or I'm doing it. because of people.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 10:13
“This is a valuable asset that you don't want to miss. You want to keep this intact between you and your Lord.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 12:40
“If we have a good intention to help people, then it has to be from a lawful means.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 17:26
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that Allah accepts deeds when two conditions meet: sincerity for Allah and correctness according to Allah’s and the Prophet’s guidance. It warns that likes, praise, and cultural habits can quietly replace worship with showing off or custom. We should regularly ask why we are doing something, keep private good deeds private when possible, and learn the Sunnah. A good goal cannot make a forbidden method acceptable; helping others must come through lawful means. The message is to seek Allah’s pleasure with both a pure intention and a sound action.

  1. When is it hard to do a good thing without wanting praise?
  2. How can we check whether a practice comes from the Sunnah or from culture?
Where it was given

The masjid

Pillars Mosque3116 Johnston Oehler Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269Jumu'ah 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:10 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Pillars156 khutbahs
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