25:58 Every type of…28:50 You have blessings all…36:07 Every morning you wake…41:52 When you see how much…
GratitudeFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 10, 2025.

Entitlement blinds us to our blessings

ICGC · Mikaeel Smith

“The moment entitlement slips into your heart, you make no more progress.”

The khateeb, at 25:58

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Entitlement blinds people to their blessings, while recognizing dependence on Allah should produce gratitude, humility, and generous service to others.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Iblis fell because entitlement displaced focus on Allah.
  2. Qarun and generational wealth illustrate how entitlement destroys progress.
  3. Families should replace assumed privileges with visible gratitude.
  4. The hadith about charity for every joint expands gratitude into daily acts of kindness.
  5. The khutbah closes by linking gratitude with increased blessings from Allah.
Try this week
Notice blessings at home and say Alhamdulillah for them.
Explicitly thank family members for what they do instead of assuming they owe it to you.
Use remembrance, smiling, encouraging good, helping others, giving directions, and sharing resources as forms of sadaqah.
Look for someone to serve or assist each day as a way of repaying Allah for blessings.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Every type of progress, whether it be economic, whether it be spiritual, every type of progress, the moment entitlement slips into your heart, you make no more progress.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 25:58
“You have blessings all around you, but you've built in a mentality of entitlement.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 28:50
“Every morning you wake up, you owe sadaqah for every joint in your body.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 36:07
“When you see how much blessings you have been given, you will be motivated to do all the khair that you can do.”
ICGC · West Chester, OH
Play from 41:52
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that entitlement can make us forget where our blessings come from. Iblis, Qarun, and later generations who never experienced hardship all illustrate the danger of believing we are simply owed good things. Gratitude means noticing Allah's gifts and thanking the people through whom those gifts reach us. The Prophet taught that every joint requires daily sadaqah, and that charity includes remembrance, kindness, smiles, guidance, and service. When we live with gratitude, we become more generous and Allah promises to increase us in blessing.

  1. What is one blessing you sometimes assume you are owed?
  2. Which act of kindness could count as your sadaqah tomorrow?
  3. Who in our family deserves a specific thank-you tonight?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati8092 Plantation Drive, West Chester, OH 45069Jumu'ah Three services · 1:30 PM, 2:45 PM & 4:00 PMKhateebMikaeel SmithMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICGC26 khutbahs
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