43:41 tawakkul is not to…54:16 living with Allah does…
The ummah & current eventsFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 27, 2025.

Steadfastness grows when comfort loses its hold

Rahma Center · Hassan Elwan

“Living with Allah does not mean we encounter no waves.”

The khateeb, at 54:16

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that believers can develop the steadfastness seen in Gaza by removing attachment to worldly comfort, relying on Allah rather than worldly means, and taking responsibility as a unified ummah.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Introduces taqwa and the Prophet's foundations for community: feeding people, spreading peace, and private prayer.
  2. Connects Gaza's hunger and resilience to Muslim responsibility and communal weakness.
  3. Explains material attachment and comfort as a veil that can prevent sacrifice.
  4. Defines tawakkul as using means while relying on Allah rather than the means themselves.
  5. Urges clarity about Muslim identity and warns against depending on communities that do not share the same faith.
  6. Offers practices of detachment, remembrance, spiritual preparation, and communal responsibility.
  7. Closes with a metaphor of sailing through waves while remaining connected to Allah.
Try this week
Feed hungry people and neighbors, and spread peace in daily interactions.
Strengthen private prayer, especially at night.
Practice occasional simplicity through camping, eating less, or living without a smartphone for two days.
Use worldly means while remembering that Allah is the true source of power and provision.
Seek spiritual means first, such as supplication, ruqya, and seeking forgiveness.
Recognize belonging to the wider Muslim ummah and take responsibility for helping oppressed people.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“tawakkul is not to have no means it's no I have as many means as necessary but my heart says la hawla wala quwata illa billah”
Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA
Play from 43:41
“living with Allah does not mean we encounter no waves it means we sail in a boat that no wave can sink”
Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA
Play from 54:16
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah used the suffering and steadfastness of Gaza to ask what helps believers remain firm with Allah. It taught that comfort and possessions can become veils when we cling to them, that tawakkul means using practical means while relying on Allah, and that we should know our identity as an ummah without becoming unjust or unkind to others. The speaker encouraged small exercises in detachment, stronger private prayer, remembrance, and spiritual means before material ones. He also called the community to take responsibility and be ready to help those in need. The goal is a heart that can face changing circumstances without losing faith, hope, or compassion.

  1. What is one comfort you could practice living without for a short time?
  2. How can we rely on Allah while still doing our practical part?
  3. What is one way our family can help someone in need?
Where it was given

The masjid

Rahma Center27121 Towne Centre Dr., Suite 150, Lake Forest, CA 92610KhateebHassan ElwanMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Rahma Center61 khutbahs
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