Prayer & worshipFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 8, 2025.

Life has a purpose beyond money and fame

“Life is not just about money and status and fame.”

The khateeb, at 16:38

In one sentence

Muslims should orient every part of life toward worshiping and pleasing Allah, following Islamic guidance despite worldly pressures and preparing for Jannah through good deeds.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Uses the qibla as a metaphor for directing all daily life toward worship and pleasing Allah.
  2. Connects belief and righteous action with attaining al-Firdaus, while acknowledging the difficulty of remembering this purpose.
  3. Applies purpose-driven obedience to school, work, and finances, including resisting cheating, immorality, and interest.
  4. Frames life as an examination and urges preparation through good deeds rather than money, status, or fame.
  5. Emphasizes that every atom’s weight of good or bad deed will be seen.
  6. Closes with supplications for guidance, excellent character, Jannah, and oppressed Muslims, followed by prayer.
Try this week
Set the intention to worship Allah and please Him in daily activities.
Refuse to cheat and study harder when necessary, accepting the additional sacrifice.
Restrain from immoral conduct at work even when others engage in it.
Avoid interest-based financing and credit cards.
Uphold the prayers and remember that every deed is recorded.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18Used to teach that believers who do good will attain al-Firdaus, the highest level of Jannah.
Quran 99:7-8Used to emphasize that every atom’s weight of good or bad deed will be seen.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“even though everyone else is cheating to pass their exams I hold myself back I study harder it takes more time and sacrifice yes but I will get that Hassanat”
Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA
Play from 15:16
“this life is a test and similar to an actual exam there is gonna be either passes or fails and we ask Allah that we pass”
Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA
Play from 16:08
“life is not just about money and status and fame and all these things that 99% of other people are chasing we have a bigger purpose”
Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA
Play from 16:38
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that just as we face one direction in prayer, our hearts need a direction too: pleasing Allah. School, work, and everyday choices can become ways to worship Him when we have that intention and follow Islam's guidance. Choosing honesty may take extra effort and sacrifice, especially when people around us make different choices. He encouraged us to remember Jannah and to see our lives as more than a chase for money, status, or fame. Even the smallest good deed matters, and we can ask Allah to help us live with purpose and act in ways that please Him.

  1. How could you make something you do tomorrow a way of pleasing Allah?
  2. What would help you choose honesty when taking a shortcut feels easier?
  3. What small act of kindness could you do that someone else might overlook?