7:36 they understood that…24:12 but be excellent at…26:21 you have to ask why…
Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 9, 2025.

Seek knowledge and master your craft

Madina · Tarek Elgawhary

“Master your trade, master your craft.”

The khateeb, at 24:12

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should treat “Read in the name of your Lord” as a lifelong, faith-grounded mandate to investigate revelation, creation, and human life, pursue excellence in every field, and question claims until reaching certainty.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The first revelation begins with a command to read in God's name, establishing knowledge as a religious responsibility.
  2. The Quran, the created world, and human beings are presented as interconnected books to study.
  3. Muslim intellectual history is described as confidently engaging other cultures, religions, languages, sciences, and technologies.
  4. Knowledge should be pursued spiritually and applied through excellence in every profession and craft.
  5. Listeners are urged to use time and technology wisely, ask why, and verify claims rather than imitate blindly.
  6. The khutbah warns against indiscriminate accusations of innovation, encourages knowledge and remembrance gatherings, and closes with prayers for the community and suffering Muslims.
Try this week
Use phones, commutes, and free time for beneficial learning.
Pursue mastery and excellence in one's current work or craft.
Ask why, seek evidence, and consult people with expertise before accepting claims.
Attend or support classes, recordings, knowledge gatherings, and dhikr gatherings.
Approach all learning with the intention of understanding Allah's signs and serving others.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 96The command to read in the name of the Creator grounds the khutbah's central call to learning.
Surah 39Knowledge is presented as a meaningful distinction praised by the Quran.
Surah 16Listeners are encouraged to seek expertise and ask questions.
Surah 35True knowledge is tied to spiritual awareness and reverence.
Surah 2Taqwa is presented as shaping and enabling beneficial knowledge.
Sahih al-BukhariGatherings of remembrance are associated with angels, mercy, forgiveness, and divine glad tidings.
Sahih MuslimThe hadith is used to argue that claims of religious innovation require careful definition and evidence.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“they understood that this was a charge to look with an inquisitive mind in all of the worlds that are available to us”
Madina · Duluth, GA
Play from 7:36
“but be excellent at what you do persevere at what you do seek it from a point of view of knowledge see the signs of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in what you do master your trade, master your craft”
Madina · Duluth, GA
Play from 24:12
“you have to ask why where did he get that from what's the delil, what's the proof of that I want to substantiate that don't just accept it don't be a copy or a bad copy”
Madina · Duluth, GA
Play from 26:21
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that the first revealed command was to read in the name of our Creator. That means Muslims should learn from the Quran, the world around us, and human experience, while keeping faith at the center. The speaker reminds us that every honest job can become meaningful when we pursue excellence and recognize Allah's signs in it. We should use our time and technology wisely, ask thoughtful questions, and seek reliable knowledge instead of copying others. The khutbah ends by asking Allah to bless families and communities and relieve suffering, especially in Gaza and the West Bank.

  1. What is one thing you would like to learn more deeply, and why?
  2. How could you use your phone or commute for beneficial learning?
  3. When is it helpful to ask “why” instead of simply copying someone else?
Where it was given

The masjid

Madina Institute3580 Sweetwater Road, Duluth, GA 30096Jumu'ah Jumu'ah I 1:45 PM · Jumu'ah II 2:45 PMKhateebTarek ElgawharyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Madina37 khutbahs
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IMAN Center · Kirkland, WA · Sep 19, 2026Knowledge matters only when it changes us“Sometimes the problem is knowledge without action.”Daar-Ul-Islam · Ballwin, MO · Oct 3, 2026The first revelation calls us to learn and serve“Before any type of great transformation occurs outwardly, there must be deep reflection inwardly.”CCIL-KBW · Laval, QC · Sep 26, 2026Protect your heart from information overload“Faire confiance à Allah ne signifie pas rester sans rien faire.”