Put the akhirah before worldly success
“Whenever there is a conflict between the dunya and the akhira we always prioritize the akhira over the dunya.”
The khutbah argues that wealth, children, work, and worldly status are tests and blessings, but Muslims must prioritize the akhirah, remembrance, and lawful conduct whenever worldly pursuits compete with obedience to Allah.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Reinterprets wealth and children as worldly adornment, not goals to chase.
- Contrasts worldly accumulation with enduring worship and reframes Ali ibn Abi Talib’s maxim.
- Uses Quranic warnings to show that preferring dunya can jeopardize one’s share in the akhirah.
- Applies the principle to congregational prayer, Fajr, interest, and haram business.
- Presents wealth and children as tests that must not distract from dhikr, salah, or Quran.
- Closes with death, Barzakh, accountability, and the call to make halal work an act of worship.
In the khateeb's words
“if it's something that is related to your akhira you work for it as if you are dying tomorrow”
“whenever there is a conflict between the dunya and the akhira we always prioritize the akhira over the dunya”
“this act this work that you get up in the morning and go to it becomes an act of worship and that will be added to our book of deeds”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that money, children, careers, and status can be blessings, but they are also tests. Islam does not tell us to abandon work or family responsibilities; it teaches us to put Allah and the akhirah first when priorities conflict. We should protect time for prayer, Quran, and dhikr, avoid haram income, and use our wealth responsibly. With the right intention, earning a lawful living and supporting family can itself become an act of worship.
- What is one part of our week where we can make prayer or Quran the priority?
- How can we make our work an act of worship?
- What is one distraction we can put in its proper place?
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