True success begins with gratitude
“We must always remember to give credit where it belongs.”
True success requires recognizing every achievement as Allah’s gift, responding with gratitude and humility, and using success to serve Allah and His creation.
The khutbah in 4 steps
- Connects graduation season to Islam’s understanding of success.
- Contrasts Sulaiman and Dhul Qarnayn, who attributed power and achievement to Allah.
- Contrasts Qarun and the owner of the two gardens, whose success produced arrogance and self-reliance.
- Calls listeners to celebrate appropriately, serve others, and pursue true success through obedience.
In the khateeb's words
“So this teaches us that Sulaiman responded by recognizing that this is a test of his gratitude.”
“we must always remember to give credit where it belongs, to turn to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, and thank Him and show gratitude to Him for allowing us to achieve what we have achieved.”
“do we use that gift, do we use that gift to come closer to Him by serving Him, by serving His creation.”
“That is when we graduate into al-firdaws al-a'la insha'Allah. That is when we achieve the true achievement.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that success is not only what we achieve, but how we respond when Allah gives us achievement. Sulaiman and Dhul Qarnayn responded with humility and gratitude, while Qarun and the owner of the two gardens let success make them proud. We should thank Allah, celebrate in ways that please Him, and use our gifts to serve Him and His creation. The deepest success is to live in obedience to Allah and His Messenger and hope for al-Firdaws al-A‘la. Graduation can be a joyful milestone and a reminder to keep growing in faith.
- What is one gift or success you want to thank Allah for today?
- How could you use something you are good at to help someone else?
- What would true success look like beyond grades, awards, or money?
More on Gratitude
ICI · Irving, TX · Oct 24, 2026Thank Allah in ease and hardship“Even in moments of difficulty, when it feels like there's nothing going your way, there is always something to be grateful for.”
Either we're receiving a blessing, which calls for shukr, or we're going through a hardship, which calls for sabr.13:29Al-Ittehad · Vista, CA · Sep 19, 2026Gratitude and patience carry believers through life
Real gratitude is not a feeling.16:14London Muslim Mosque · London, ON · Sep 11, 2026Gratitude means using blessings well