Accepted deeds require sincerity and Sunnah
A deed is only accepted by Allah when it is performed with sincere devotion to Him alone and in accordance with the Prophet's Sunnah, so the believer must continually strive for ikhlās.
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Opening khutbah formulas and the Quranic call to fear Allah
- The parable of the disbeliever's good deeds as a desert mirage when sincerity and faith are absent
- How even Muslims can nullify mountains of good deeds by showing off or intending other than Allah
- Defining sincerity as singling out Allah in worship and intention, before, during, and after each act
- The hadith of intentions and the example of migration to show that noble deeds depend on motive
- The righteous predecessors and Companions feared hypocrisy despite their high rank
- The two conditions for accepted deeds: sincerity for Allah and conformity to the Sunnah
- Practical steps to attain sincerity: ask Allah, increase private deeds, keep a present heart, and respond to praise with humility
In the khateeb's words
“they think they're doing all this good but at the end it means nothing in the sight of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala because they didn't come with one crucial thing”
“that sincerity it is to single out Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in worship in intention for doing any act of worship”
“intention is very important brothers and sisters because it is the one of the requirements for our deeds to be accepted by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that deeds are accepted by Allah when they are done sincerely for Him and according to the Sunnah. Even believers should examine their hearts and fear showing off, while remembering that Allah guides those who sincerely strive. The khateeb encouraged us to ask Allah for sincerity, build private acts of worship, and keep our hearts present during prayer and du'a. When people praise us, we should respond with humility and ask Allah to forgive what they do not know about us. Sincerity is a lifelong effort, and every honest step toward Allah matters.
- What is one good deed you could do privately this week?
- What helps you pay attention when you pray or make du'a?
- How can we respond humbly when someone praises us?
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