Ihsan means offering Allah your best
“The way that you serve, you serve with Ihsan.”
Ihsan means striving for excellence in worship and every interaction by offering Allah our best, responding gently, forgiving others, and serving people well.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah opens with gratitude for life as an undeserved gift from Allah.
- The speaker acknowledges Sudan and urges listeners to make dua, become informed, and offer support.
- Ihsan is defined as worshipping Allah with awareness that He always sees us.
- Examples show Ihsan through excellent prayer, charity, work, service, and gentle responses to hostility.
- The sermon extends Ihsan to forgiveness, honoring parents’ friends, caring for neighbors, and avoiding doubtful conduct.
- The khutbah closes with repentance, prayers for oppressed communities, and congregational worship.
In the khateeb's words
“If you lose everything else, you have nothing left in the world. except a heart that is beating Take two fingers, put them somewhere on your body where you can feel a pulse.”
“But the Prophet is teaching us that Ihsan is a mindset. The way that you work, you work with Ihsan. The way that you show up, you show up with Ihsan. The way that you serve, you serve with Ihsan.”
“Treat them based on how you want Allah to treat you. Let them forgive. Let them start fresh. Do you not want Allah to forgive you?”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us that even our heartbeat is a gift from Allah, and gratitude should show in what we do. The khateeb explained ihsan as worshipping Allah as if we see Him, knowing that He always sees us. This means bringing care to our prayers, giving generously, and doing our everyday work well. Through stories of the Prophet and his companions, he encouraged gentleness and forgiveness when others disappoint us, along with thoughtful care for neighbors and our parents’ friends. He also urged us to remember the people of Sudan in our duas, learn about their suffering, and support them as much as we can.
- What is one gift from Allah you noticed today, and how could you show your thanks?
- When someone upsets you, what could help you choose gentle words?
- Who could we check on or help this week without waiting for them to ask?
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