15:15 And God is the last,…76:08 There are only a few…76:20 What holds you back…80:03 I never saw the…
Death & the hereafterFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 3, 2026.

Worldly life is short, so prepare for eternity

ICP

“What holds you back from applying that same effort in matters of deen and the eternal home before regrets of sin?”

The khateeb, at 76:20

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Recognizing Allah as the eternal First and Last, and recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly life, should lead Muslims to prioritize the hereafter and use Sha'ban to prepare seriously for Ramadan.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Defines Allah as al-Awwal and al-Akhir, beyond human temporal limitations.
  2. Explains that all created things depend on Allah for both existence and continued preservation.
  3. Uses an imagined scene of Paradise to contrast eternal reward with worldly life.
  4. Warns against making wealth, comfort, and worldly achievement the highest goals.
  5. Urges listeners to replace passive media consumption with Qur'an and trustworthy Islamic learning.
  6. Presents Sha'ban as a neglected month for fasting, worship, reconciliation, and Ramadan preparation.
Try this week
Replace some commute or workout listening with Qur'an or trustworthy Islamic education.
Plan religious goals with the same intentionality used for worldly goals.
Increase optional prayer, Qur'an recitation, remembrance, charity, and fasting.
Use Sha'ban to establish worship habits before Ramadan begins.
Release grudges and repair relationships before entering Ramadan.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 112Establishes Allah's uniqueness, eternity, and freedom from birth or likeness.
Quran 57:3Supports the description of Allah as the First and the Last.
Quran 35:15-17Shows that human beings are dependent and Allah is self-sufficient.
Quran 28:88Supports the warning that worldly things perish while Allah remains.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“And God is the last, meaning He's not a body that dies.”
ICP · Pittsburgh, PA
Play from 15:15
“There are only a few who are in this great company from our times.”
ICP · Pittsburgh, PA
Play from 76:08
“What holds you back from applying that same effort in matters of deen and the eternal home before regrets of sin?”
ICP · Pittsburgh, PA
Play from 76:20
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam complete the fast of any month except Ramadan.”
ICP · Pittsburgh, PA
Play from 80:03
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah taught that Allah is the First and the Last, while everything we have is a gift that depends on Him. It asked us not to make the short-lived dunya our greatest ambition, but to use our time and wealth for the lasting home of the hereafter. One simple step is to replace some commute or workout listening with Qur'an or trustworthy Islamic learning. Sha'ban is a chance to build worship habits before Ramadan, including extra fasting and prayer. We should also let go of grudges and enter Ramadan with cleaner hearts.

  1. What is one thing you want to change about what you listen to this week?
  2. What does preparing for Ramadan look like before Ramadan actually begins?
  3. How can our family let go of a grudge and enter Ramadan with cleaner hearts?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Pittsburgh4100 Bigelow Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213Jumu'ah Arabic service 12:15 PM · English service 1:15 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICP11 khutbahs
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