Worldly means need trust in Allah
“There's nothing inherently evil about making a livelihood.”
The khutbah argues that worldly tools, plans, and religious routines only become spiritually beneficial when paired with effort, tawakkul, sincere repentance, and conscious reliance on Allah.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Uses Muharram and Ashura as occasions for reflection on the past lunar year.
- Interprets Musa’s staff as livelihood and warns against overreliance on worldly means.
- Explains the sea crossing as combining human reasoning with trust beyond perceived limits.
- Uses water from the rock to critique empty ritual and call for sincere tawbah and presence.
- Applies the lesson to plans, status, finances, and good deeds before closing with prayer and communal reminders.
In the khateeb's words
“there's nothing inherently evil about making a livelihood it's when you get distracted you put too much reliance on it”
“the very mundane thing that we do every day can become a distraction from the deeper meaning and purpose of it”
“the prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said none of us will enter Jannah by our deeds”
For the dinner table
The khateeb used Prophet Musa’s staff to show that tools such as work, plans, and religious routines are useful but should never replace reliance on Allah. We should use reason and effort, then trust Allah when a problem seems bigger than our abilities. Even daily worship can become empty if our hearts are absent, so sincere tawbah and presence give it life. We should notice what we rely on too much and turn back to Allah. As a family, we can reflect on the past lunar year and take one faithful next step.
- What good thing do we use that could become a distraction if we rely on it too much?
- What hard task could we plan for, do our part in, and then entrust to Allah?
- How can we be more present in one prayer or routine this week?
More on General reminders
No matter how many steps in your life you took away from Allah, it only ever takes one step to come back.17:46Collins Musallah · Richardson, TX · Oct 30, 2026Allah's guidance protects every part of life
I want to give half an hour to my children just to be with them to be present.29:02Masjid Al-Noor · Brookfield, WI · Sep 3, 2026Use your time before it is gone
We're not just searching for productivity and efficiency, but more importantly, we're searching for barakah.6:58MCF · Folsom, CA · Oct 24, 2026True productivity comes from seeking barakah