12:09 So the first…17:55 However, Allah…38:35 So if He puts in your…
Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 19, 2025.

Seeking knowledge begins with sincerity

ICA East Orange

“Follow up the bad deed with a good deed; it'll wipe it away.”

The khateeb, at 38:35

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Seeking Islamic knowledge is worship that must begin with sincerity, freedom from distraction, and prioritizing faith, while knowing Allah through His names leads believers to repentance, gratitude, love, and righteous conduct.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames seeking Islamic knowledge as worship requiring sincerity.
  2. Lists three manners: sincerity, avoiding distractions, and prioritizing foundational faith.
  3. Explains Allah’s names Al-Hameed, Al-Aziz, and Al-Majeed.
  4. Develops Allah’s names Al-Tawwab, Al-Ghafoor, and Al-Ghaffar as sources of hope.
  5. Explains Allah as Al-Shaheed and Al-Wadud, shaping accountability and love.
  6. Closes with practical reminders, supplications, and preparation for prayer.
Try this week
Attend Jumu'ah and seek knowledge sincerely for Allah alone.
Remove distractions during Jumu'ah, including leaving phones in the car.
Begin learning with iman, the Quran, the Sunnah, and knowledge most beneficial to faith.
Repent promptly by leaving the sin, regretting it, resolving not to return, and replacing bad deeds with good deeds.
Praise, magnify, and thank Allah while remembering His names and attributes.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 96The command to read in the name of the Creator grounds seeking knowledge in worship.
Surah 85The People of the Trench passage illustrates persecution for faith and divine witness, punishment, and reward.
Sahih al-BukhariA report from Aisha is used to argue that early revelation focused on faith, Paradise, Hell, and softening hearts.
Sahih MuslimThe Abu Dharr qudsi hadith emphasizes that sincere monotheism is met with vast forgiveness.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“So the first etiquette, mannerism, behavior that you have with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala when seeking knowledge is that you're sincere.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 12:09
“However, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala started off with the what? The apex of knowledge. The pinnacle of knowledge. The best form of knowledge.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 17:55
“So if He puts in your heart to repent to Him, don't fight it. Do it. And follow up the bad deed with a good deed, it'll wipe it away.”
ICA East Orange · East Orange, NJ
Play from 38:35
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah reminded us that learning about Islam is an act of worship, including listening at Jumu'ah. The khateeb asked us to learn sincerely for Allah, put distractions aside, and begin with the knowledge that benefits us most. He explained that knowing Allah and learning about faith and the hereafter can soften our hearts. He also spoke about Allah's beautiful names, including the Almighty, the Witness, the Loving, and the One who accepts repentance. He encouraged us never to despair of Allah's mercy, but to return sincerely, leave wrongdoing behind, and follow bad deeds with good deeds.

  1. Which description of Allah from the khutbah would you like to learn more about, and why?
  2. How could remembering that Allah loves to pardon help someone who feels discouraged after a mistake?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of America215 N Oraton Pkwy, East Orange, NJ 07017ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICA East Orange54 khutbahs
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