GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 1, 2026.
Allah rewards every sincere effort
“Not a single deed goes unnoticed with Allah.”
In one sentence
Allah, al-Shakur (the Appreciative), sees, values, and multiplies every sincere effort, even small, hidden, or unfinished deeds, so believers should seek appreciation from Him alone rather than from people.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Story of Yusuf and 12:90 as the framing lesson: Allah sees and rewards patience through hardship
- Introduction of Allah's name al-Shakur and its four Quranic appearances, paired with al-Aleem and al-Ghafoor
- Point 1: Allah appreciates the smallest deeds people overlook (woman and the thirsty dog; al-Zalzalah; al-An'am 6:160)
- Point 2: Allah appreciates hidden, private deeds (hadith of the three men trapped in the cave)
- Point 3: Allah appreciates effort and intention, not outcome (hadith of the man who killed 99; an-Najm; al-Ankabut 29:69)
- Warning against seeking appreciation from imperfect people; reward may be deferred to the Day of Judgment
- Close with al-Insan 76:22: 'your efforts have been appreciated' in Paradise, then du'a
Try this week
Stop seeking appreciation and reward from people; seek it only from Allah
Do the small everyday good deeds others overlook, smile at someone having a rough day, hold the door open, help your mother carry the groceries
Keep doing private deeds no one will ever see or applaud, trusting Allah records them
Keep striving toward goals (e.g., memorizing Quran daily) even if the outcome is out of your control
Don't be discouraged if reward doesn't come in this life; it may be reserved for the Day of Judgment
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 12:90Yusuf's words that Allah never discounts the reward of the mindful and patient; the khutbah's founding verse
Quran 35:30The pairing ghafoorun shakur, Allah forgives shortcomings while still appreciating intention and effort
Quran 42:23The pairing ghafoorun shakur, Allah forgives shortcomings while still appreciating intention and effort
Quran 99:7'Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it', no deed is too small to be recorded and valued
Quran 6:160Every good deed is multiplied at least tenfold, showing Allah's generosity beyond the deed's size
Sahih al-BukhariAllah accepted his repentance though he died mid-journey, effort and intention are appreciated even without outcome
Quran 53:39-41'Each person will only have what they strive for, and their striving will soon be seen', striving itself is rewarded
Quran 29:69'As for those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our ways', effort brings guidance
Quran 76:22'Indeed this is your reward and your efforts have been appreciated', the closing image of appreciation in the akhira
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“surely whoever is mindful of Allah and patient then certainly Allah never discounts the reward of the good doers so this story teaches us a very very powerful”
“not a single deed goes unnoticed with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala not a single deed is unknown not a single deed is not rewarded”
“but don't let the silence of people of imperfect human beings let you think that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is not appreciating you because He is”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah reminded us that Allah has a beautiful name, Al-Shakur, the Appreciative. The khateeb walked through the story of Prophet Yusuf, who faced one trial after another but was rewarded because Allah never lets the efforts of the mindful and patient go to waste. He explained that Allah sees and magnifies tiny deeds, secret good deeds, and even sincere efforts that never reached the outcome we wanted. People may miss or forget what we do, but Allah knows everything in our hearts and promises to reward us, often fully in the Hereafter. So when any of us feels unseen, we can remember that Allah sees our struggle, values our intention, and will not waste a single good deed.
- What's one small kind thing you did this week that maybe nobody noticed?
- Have you ever tried really hard at something even if you didn't finish or win? How did that feel?
- Who is someone we can thank or help quietly today, without needing applause?
Keep listening
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Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well