11:23 then the Prophet…14:57 you begin with stones…
Hajj, Umrah & EidFrom the masjid's own video, May 29, 2026.

Do not postpone Hajj when able

ICCNY Stamford · Ahmed Deifalla

“You begin with stones to build the great building in the universe.”

The khateeb, at 14:57

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In one sentence

The Kaaba's divinely ordained history, from Ibrahim and Ismail building it at Allah's command to the obligation of Hajj, calls believers not to postpone Hajj and to fill the sacred days with dhikr and du'a seeking Allah's acceptance.

The khutbah in 8 steps

  1. Opening praise and command of taqwa (Al-Ahzab 33:70-71)
  2. The Kaaba as the first House for mankind (Surah Al-Imran 3:96-97)
  3. Abu Dharr's hadith on the first and second mosques, 40 years apart
  4. Ibrahim and Ismail building the Kaaba by Allah's designation, not their own opinion
  5. Maqam Ibrahim and the sunnah of two rak'ahs after tawaf
  6. Seeking Allah's acceptance of deeds (rabbana taqabbal minna)
  7. Second khutbah: Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime, do not postpone it
  8. Hadith on not over-questioning the Prophet; dhikr in the known days and the best du'a of Arafah; closing du'a
Try this week
Do not postpone Hajj if Allah has given you the means and youth, take the opportunity now
Perform the two rak'ahs at Maqam Ibrahim after completing tawaf
Keep the tongue moist with dhikr (subhanAllah, istighfar) in the days before and after Eid
Recite the best du'a, the du'a of Arafah: la ilaha illa Allah wahdahu la sharika lah
Fast the day of Arafah for expiation of the year before and after
Avoid the haram and sins to be among the best worshippers
Ask Allah for acceptance after every act of worship, as Ibrahim did
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 33:70-71Opening command of taqwa and upright speech
Quran 3:96-97Core text: the Kaaba is the first House established for people, and Hajj to it is obligatory for whoever is able
Quran 14:37Ibrahim's du'a that hearts of people yearn toward the valley
Sahih al-BukhariThe first mosque was the Kaaba, the second al-Aqsa, 40 years between them
Quran 22:26Proof that Allah, not Ibrahim, chose the site of the Kaaba
Quran 2:125Basis for the sunnah of praying two rak'ahs at Maqam Ibrahim after tawaf
Quran 2:127
Sahih MuslimHajj is obligatory only once, not every year
Sahih al-BukhariWarning against excessive questioning that destroyed earlier nations
Sahih Muslim
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“then the Prophet Muhammad said the farthest mosque in Jerusalem”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 11:23
“you begin with stones to build the great building in the universe”
ICCNY Stamford · Stamford, CT
Play from 14:57
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today the khateeb reminded us that the Ka'bah in Makkah is the very first house Allah placed on earth for people to worship Him. He told us how Allah chose the spot and guided Ibrahim and Ismail to build it together, asking Allah to accept their work. The shaikh also explained that Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for anyone who has the health and means, so we should not keep putting it off. He encouraged everyone, especially those not traveling for Hajj, to fast the Day of Arafah and keep our tongues busy with dhikr, because those simple acts carry huge mercy.

  1. If you could stand on the plain of Arafah and make one dua, what would it be?
  2. Ibrahim and Ismail built the Ka'bah as a team. What is one good deed our family can build together?
  3. The shaikh said not to delay Hajj if Allah gives us the chance. What is one thing we often put off that we should do sooner?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Stamford1558 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06905Jumu'ah 1:00 PMKhateebAhmed DeifallaMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICCNY Stamford11 khutbahs
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