12:54 You will not acquire…19:54 We have to become the…
Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 27, 2025.

Wealth and knowledge are tests from Allah

Middle Ground

“You will not acquire an understanding of your Dean only from talking heads, including this talking head, on social media.”

The khateeb, at 12:54

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The story of Qarun teaches that wealth, influence, and knowledge are tests from Allah, so Muslims should resist worldly fascination, pursue disciplined religious learning, and use it for righteous action rather than status or domination.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Opens with praise of Allah and a reminder of taqwa.
  2. Revisits Surah al-Qasas and Qarun’s claim that his wealth came from his own knowledge.
  3. Explains wealth and poverty as tests, warning against envy, self-glorification, and social-media influence.
  4. Urges serious study through teachers, regular masjid attendance, and focus on Allah’s reward over worldly power.
  5. Connects knowledge to humility, repentance, good works, calling to good, and preparation for the Hereafter.
Try this week
Seek religious teachers who provide both knowledge and the skills to learn.
Treat social media as a supplement, not a replacement for serious study.
Attend the masjid regularly and reduce constant distraction from social media.
Study the Quran, the Prophet’s life, and the Sunnah with the intention of acting on them.
Repent, seek forgiveness, make amends, call to good, forbid evil, and benefit others.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 28Uses Qarun’s self-attributed wealth, downfall, and worldly arrogance to frame wealth as a test.
Surah 28Uses the Hereafter as the goal of learning, humility, good deeds, repentance, and benefiting others.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You will not acquire an understanding of your Dean only from talking heads, including this talking head, on social media.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 12:54
“We have to become the best Muslims we can, according to the guidance of the Quran.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 19:54
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah used the story of Qarun to help us think about wealth, pride, and what we admire. Qarun credited his riches to his own intelligence, while people around him wished they had what he had. The khateeb reminded us that wealth and poverty are both tests, and that attachment to this life can cloud our decisions. He encouraged us to study our faith sincerely and find teachers who help us learn how to learn. The purpose of that knowledge is to please Allah, bring good to others, and seek forgiveness and make amends when we do wrong.

  1. When someone has something you wish you had, what helps you appreciate what Allah has given you?
  2. What would you like a teacher to help you understand about your faith?
  3. What is one thing you have learned that you could turn into a kind action this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Middle Ground Muslim Center870 N Mountain Ave, Suite 102, Upland, CA 91786Jumu'ah Khutbah 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Middle Ground29 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Seeking knowledge

All on this topic
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.”