I notice you mentioned "based on the given topic: ." but didn't specify a topic. Since you mentioned this is for Ramadan, I'll write a complete khutbah on "The Blessings and Spiritual Opportunities of Ramadan" — a fitting topic for a Jummah khutbah during this blessed month.

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Friday (Jummah) Khutbah

The Blessings and Spiritual Opportunities of Ramadan

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FIRST PART OF THE KHUTBAH

Al-hamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wa nasta'eenahu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na'oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusina wa min sayi'aati a'maalina. Man yahdih Illaahu falaa mudilla lahu wa man yudlil falaa haadiya lahu. Wa ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.

All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Amma ba'du:

O servants of Allah! O Muslims! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except as Muslims. And hold fast all together to the rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves.

O believers! This is the month of Ramadan — a month that has descended upon us like a gentle mercy from the heavens. It is a month unlike any other, a sacred guest that visits us once each year, carrying with it treasures that cannot be found in any other time.

Allah, the Most High, says in His Glorious Book:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Allah has prescribed fasting upon us not as a burden, but as a means to attain taqwa — God-consciousness, righteousness, and a shield against sin. In this month, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained. What an opportunity Allah has given us!

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):

"إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ وَصُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ"

"When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained."
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

O believers! In this month, every good deed is multiplied. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ الْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ"

"Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah the Most High said: 'Except for fasting, for it is done for My sake and I will give a reward for it.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

O Muslims! Ramadan is the month of the Quran. It was in this blessed month that Allah revealed His final guidance to humanity. Allah says:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ

"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)

This is the month to reconnect with the Book of Allah. Read it, reflect upon it, and let it transform your heart. The Prophet (ﷺ) would review the entire Quran with Jibreel (عليه السلام) in this month.

O servants of Allah! Do not let this month pass you by while you are heedless. Do not be like the one who fasts from food and drink but not from lying, backbiting, and sin. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ"

"Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink."
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Fast with your entire being — your tongue from falsehood, your eyes from looking at what is forbidden, your ears from listening to what is prohibited, your hands from harming others, and your heart from doubt and displeasure with Allah's decree.

O believers! In this month, there is a night that is better than a thousand months — Laylat al-Qadr. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ"

"Whoever stands in prayer during Laylat al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Seek it in the last ten nights, particularly in the odd nights. Do not be among the deprived ones who miss this treasure!

O Muslims! Ramadan teaches us empathy for the poor and hungry. When we feel the pangs of hunger, we are reminded of those who live in constant hunger. It teaches us self-discipline and strengthens our willpower. It purifies our bodies and souls. It unites the Ummah in a shared spiritual experience.

Use this month to break bad habits, to build good ones, to forgive those who have wronged you, to mend broken relationships, and to draw closer to your Lord. The doors of mercy are wide open — enter them!

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SECOND PART OF THE KHUTBAH

O servants of Allah! Remember that Ramadan is a preparation for the rest of your life. It is a spiritual boot camp designed to make you a better Muslim, a better spouse, a better parent, a better child, a better neighbor, and a better member of society.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلَا يَرْفُثْ وَلَا يَصْخَبْ فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ"

"Fasting is a shield. So when it is the day of fasting for one of you, let him not engage in obscene speech or raise his voice. If anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, let him say: 'I am fasting, I am fasting.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Let your fasting make you patient. Let your hunger make you humble. Let your prayers make you grateful. Let your charity make you generous. Let your Quran recitation make you wise.

O believers! Do not be from those who gain nothing from Ramadan except hunger and thirst. Be from those who emerge from this month with forgiven sins, purified hearts, and renewed faith.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"رُبَّ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلَّا الْجُوعُ وَالْعَطَشُ وَرُبَّ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلَّا السَّهَرُ"

"There may be a fasting person who gets nothing from his fast except hunger and thirst, and there may be one who prays at night who gets nothing from his prayer except sleeplessness."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, authenticated by Al-Albani)

Make your fast a fast of the body, mind, and soul. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and honor your parents. Give generously in charity, for Ramadan is the month of giving.

O Muslims! As we stand in these blessed days, let us remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering — those who are oppressed, those who are displaced, those who are in war zones, those who are struggling to break their fast with anything substantial. Make dua for them. Help them if you can. Do not forget the Ummah in your prayers.

And remember, the true success of Ramadan is measured not by how much you eat at iftar, but by how much your heart has changed. The success is in continuing the good habits you built — the prayers, the charity, the patience, the forgiveness — throughout the year until the next Ramadan.

May Allah accept our fasting, our prayers, our charity, and our good deeds. May He forgive our sins, purify our hearts, and grant us the sweetness of iman. May He allow us to reach Laylat al-Qadr and to witness its blessings. May He unite our Ummah and relieve the suffering of Muslims everywhere.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

"Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded."
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)

فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَىٰ نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَأَقِمُوا الصَّلَاةَ

"So remember Allah the Great, and He will remember you. Thank Him for His blessings, and He will increase you. Ask His forgiveness, and He will forgive you. And establish the prayer."

اللهم اغفر للمؤمنين والمؤمنات والمسلمين والمسلمات الأحياء منهم والأموات إنك مجيب الدعوات برحمتك يا أرحم الراحمين

O Allah, forgive the believing men and believing women, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the living among them and the dead. Indeed, You are the One who answers supplications, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.

اللهم تقبل صيامنا وقيامنا وركوعنا وسجودنا وتخشعنا وتضرعنا وتعبدنا وتزكياتنا وأصلح لنا أحوالنا وآخر أعمالنا بالصالحات واغفر لنا ما تقدم من ذنوبنا

O Allah, accept our fasting, our standing in prayer, our bowing, our prostration, our humility, our supplication, our worship, and our charity. Rectify for us our conditions and make our final deeds the best of our deeds. Forgive us for our past sins.

اللهم أعز الإسلام والمسلمين وأذل الشرك والمشركين ودمر أعداءك أعداء الدين واحفظ بلاد المسلمين وأمنهم في أوطانهم

O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, and humiliate shirk and the polytheists. Destroy Your enemies, the enemies of the religion. Protect the lands of the Muslims and grant them security in their homelands.

عباد الله:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

"Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask blessings upon him and peace."
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:56)

اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على عبدك ورسولك محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين

O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon Your servant and messenger Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.

وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

"And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows what you do."
(Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:45)

أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرحيم

I say this and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you. So seek His forgiveness, indeed He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

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الحمد لله رب العالمين

Friday Khutbah: The Excellence and Reality of Sabr (Patience)

Part I

Khutbat al-Hajah (The Opening)

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Innal-hamda lillahi, nahmaduhu wa nasta’inuhu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na’udhu billahi min shururi anfusina wa min sayyi’ati a’malina. Man yahdihillahu fala mudilla lahu, wa man yudlil fala hadiya lahu. Wa ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu.

"Verily, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, we seek His help, and we ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our wicked deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomever He allows to fall astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]." (Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:102)

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The Sermon

O Servants of Allah, O Believers,

I remind myself and all of you to have Taqwa (God-consciousness) of Allah, for Taqwa is the best provision for the journey to the Hereafter. Today, we gather to reflect upon a virtue that is mentioned over ninety times in the Noble Qur’an—a virtue that is described as the "brightness" (diya) of a believer’s life. That virtue is Sabr (Patience and Steadfastness).

In the linguistic sense, Sabr means to restrain or to hold back. In the spiritual sense, it is the firm resolve of the soul to remain steadfast upon the commands of Allah, to refrain from what He has forbidden, and to accept His decree without despair or resentment.

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Qur'an:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:153)

My dear brothers and sisters, life by its very nature is a series of trials. Allah has explicitly told us that we will be tested. He says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ

"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155)

When we speak of Sabr, we must understand that it is not merely a passive waiting for things to get better. It is not the "patience of the defeated." Rather, in the Sunni tradition, the scholars have categorized Sabr into three essential types:

• Sabr in the Obedience of Allah: This is the patience required to wake up for Fajr when the bed is warm, the patience to fast during long summer days, and the consistency required to fulfill our obligations day after day, year after year.

• Sabr in Refraining from Sin: This is the internal struggle to restrain the soul from its desires, to turn away from Haram wealth, to lower the gaze, and to hold the tongue from backbiting and anger.

• Sabr during Calamities: This is the steadfastness shown when we lose a loved one, when our health fails, or when we face financial hardship.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us that the reality of this third type of Sabr is found at the very beginning of a trial. He said in a Hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari: "Patience is only at the first stroke of a calamity." This means that while anyone can become patient after the initial shock wears off, the true believer is the one who, in the moment of impact, returns to Allah and says, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return).

The reward for such steadfastness is immense. While most good deeds have a specific multiplier, Allah says regarding the patient:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

"Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [limit]." (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:10)

Imagine, O Believers, standing on the Day of Judgment when every deed is being weighed, and there is a group of people for whom no scales are set up and no records are opened because their reward is so vast that only Allah knows its magnitude. These are the Sabirun.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said in a beautiful Hadith found in Sahih Muslim:
"How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him."

This is the secret to a tranquil life. The believer is never a loser. In prosperity, he gains through gratitude (Shukr); in adversity, he gains through patience (Sabr).

I ask Allah to make us among those who are patient in times of hardship and grateful in times of ease. I seek Allah’s forgiveness for myself and for you. Ask Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

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Part II

(The Khateeb sits for a brief moment and then stands again)

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيمًا كَثِيرًا

Alhamdulillah rabbil 'alamin... (Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds...)

O Servants of Allah,

How do we apply this in our daily lives? We live in an age of "instant gratification," where we want everything now. We want instant success, instant answers, and instant relief. But the Sunnah of Allah in creation is that growth takes time.

To practice Sabr in your daily life:

First, guard your tongue. When you are angry or frustrated, do not complain to people in a way that shows resentment toward Allah’s decree. Complain to Allah, as Prophet Ya’qub (AS) did when he said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah."

Second, look at those below you. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised us that in worldly matters, we should look at those who have less than us so that we do not belittle the favors of Allah upon us. If you are struggling with your health, remember those who cannot leave their beds. If you are struggling with your finances, remember those who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Third, remember the purpose of the test. A test is not a sign of Allah’s hatred; it is often a sign of His love. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "When Allah loves a people, He tests them." Trials purify our sins and elevate our ranks in Jannah to levels we could never reach through our prayers and fasting alone.

Finally, let us remember that the greatest example of Sabr was our beloved Messenger (ﷺ). He was orphaned as a child, he buried six of his seven children during his lifetime, he was persecuted by his kin, and he was hungry to the point of tying stones to his stomach. Yet, he never wavered. He remained the most patient, the most kind, and the most steadfast.

Dua (Supplication)

Let us raise our hands and beseech our Lord.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

O Allah, send Your peace and blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent peace and blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

O Allah, we ask You for Sabran Jameela—a beautiful patience. O Allah, make us among those who are patient during trials and grateful during blessings.

Allahumma inna na’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan...
O Allah, we seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, and from being overpowered by debt and the oppression of men.

O Allah, grant ease to our brothers and sisters who are suffering across the globe. Grant shifa (healing) to our sick, and grant mercy to our deceased.

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

"Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:201)

Servants of Allah! Surely Allah commands justice, doing good, and giving to kinsfolk. He forbids indecency, evil, and rebellion. He admonishes you so that you may take heed.

Remember Allah, and He will remember you. Be grateful to Him, and He will increase you. And the remembrance of Allah is greatest.

Aqimus-Salah (Establish the prayer).

Friday Khutbah: Salah – The Ascent of the Believer

Part I: The First Khutbah

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.

(All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and the consequences of our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whomever He leaves to stray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

(O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]. — Surah Ali 'Imran 3:102)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

Today, we gather on this blessed day of Friday to reflect upon the very foundation of our faith, the "Imad ad-Deen" (the pillar of the religion). We speak of a gift that was not brought down by an angel to the earth, but rather, a gift for which the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was invited to the highest heavens to receive. We speak of Salah (the daily prayer).

Salah is not merely a set of physical motions or a ritualistic obligation to be checked off a list. It is the spiritual lifeline between the Creator and the created. It is the "Mi’raj" (ascent) of the believer. Just as the Prophet (ﷺ) ascended to the heavens to meet His Lord, we, through our Salah, ascend from the distractions of this temporary world to stand in the presence of the King of Kings.

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Holy Quran:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah].” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45)

Notice, my dear brothers and sisters, that Allah (SWT) links prayer with patience. Life is filled with trials, anxieties, and hardships. We often search for peace in wealth, in status, or in entertainment, yet the hearts remain restless. Allah tells us that the solution is to "seek help" through Salah. When the world weighs heavy on your shoulders, the Sajdah (prostration) is where you find your strength. In the Sajdah, you are physically at your lowest, but spiritually, you are at your highest and closest to your Lord.

The Spiritual Purification

Salah serves as a spiritual bath that cleanses our souls five times a day. We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded by negativity, sins, and spiritual "dust." Salah is the water that washes it all away.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave us a beautiful parable. He asked his companions: "If there was a river at the door of one of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would any dirt remain on him?" They replied, "No dirt would remain on him." The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out evil deeds." (Sahih Bukhari & Muslim).

Imagine the Mercy of our Creator! He knows we are imperfect. He knows we falter. So, He gave us five appointments throughout the day to reset, to repent, and to be purified.

Salah as a Shield

Furthermore, Salah is our primary defense mechanism against the temptations of the soul and the whispers of Shaytan. Allah (SWT) says:

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ ۖ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

“Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.” (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:45)

If we find ourselves struggling with bad habits or falling into sins, we must check the quality of our Salah. A prayer performed with Khushu (humility and focus) acts as a barrier. It changes the heart. It makes the "Munkar" (wrong) feel heavy and the "Ma'ruf" (good) feel light. If the prayer is not changing us, we are not truly "establishing" it; we are merely "performing" it.

The First Question

We must also remember, dear brothers and sisters, that Salah is the ultimate priority. It is the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"The first thing for which a servant will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is sound, then he will have succeeded and prospered, but if it is lacking, then he will have failed and lost." (Sunan an-Nasa'i).

This Hadith should send a shiver through our hearts. Our charity, our fasting, and our good character are all vital, but their acceptance is tied to the validity of our Salah. It is the ID card of the Muslim.

Practical Application: How do we improve?

• Prioritize the Time: Do not fit Salah into your schedule; fit your schedule around Salah. When the Adhan is called, everything else should stop.

• Understand the Words: Take the time to learn the meaning of what you recite. When you say "Alhamdulillah," feel the gratitude. When you say "Allahu Akbar," realize that Allah is greater than your boss, your problems, and your desires.

• The Sunnah Prayers: Protect your obligatory (Fard) prayers by surrounding them with Sunnah prayers. They act as a buffer and compensate for the deficiencies in our Fard.

• Community Connection: For the men, strive to pray in the Masjid as much as possible. The rewards are multiplied, and the spiritual atmosphere of the House of Allah is unmatched.

I ask Allah (SWT) to make us among those who establish the prayer, who find coolness in their eyes through it, and who are raised among the Musallin (those who pray) on the Day of Judgment.

أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.

(I say these words of mine and I seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you and for all the Muslims for every sin. So seek His forgiveness, for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)

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Part II: The Second Khutbah

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَسْلِيمًا كَثِيرًا.

(All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions.)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we conclude, let us remember that Salah is a mercy, not a burden. It is a gift from a Lord who does not need our worship, but knows that we need the worship to survive this life.

In the final moments of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life, as he was leaving this world, his final advice to his Ummah was: "As-Salah, As-Salah..." (The prayer, the prayer...). He was worried about us. He knew that if we held onto our prayer, we would hold onto our Deen. If we let go of our prayer, we would lose ourselves.

Let us make a firm intention today. If you have been negligent, start today. If you pray some and miss some, strive for consistency. If you are consistent, strive for Khushu and presence of heart. Never give up on your Salah, no matter how many sins you think you have. The Salah is the very path back to Allah.

Supplication (Dua)

Let us raise our hands and hearts to Allah (SWT):

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنَّا عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ
(O Allah, help us to remember You, to give thanks to You, and to worship You in the best manner.)

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ
(My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. — Surah Ibrahim 14:40)

O Allah, forgive our sins, those we have committed in secret and those we have committed in public. O Allah, soften our hearts and fill them with the light of Iman. O Allah, make the coolness of our eyes in the Salah.

O Allah, grant peace and victory to the oppressed Muslims around the world. Guide our youth, protect our families, and keep us firm on the Straight Path until the day we meet You.

عِبَادَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ.

(Servants of Allah, indeed Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.)

أَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ
(Establish the prayer.)

Friday Khutbah: Who Are You When No One Is Watching?

Part One

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنُؤْمِنُ بِهِ وَنَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْهِ، وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّى عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ:

My dear brothers and sisters, students of faith, future leaders of our Ummah. Today, we gather in the sacred space of this masjid on this blessed day of Jumu’ah. But I want to ask you a question that reaches into the very core of our faith, a question that defines our character not in the spotlight, but in the shadows: Who are you when no one is watching?

In the theater of high school life, there is a constant audience. Teachers watch your grades. Coaches watch your performance. Parents watch your curfew. Friends watch your style, your words, your social media posts. We perform, often consciously, for these audiences. But what happens when the curtain closes? When the classroom is empty, when the phone is put away in the quiet of your room, when you are utterly and completely alone—who is the real you that remains?

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala answers this in the most profound way in Surah Al-Hadid:

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَى

"Does he not know that Allah sees?" (Quran 96:14)

And in Surah Al-Mulk, He says:

وَمَا تَكُونُ فِي شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُو مِنْهُ مِن قُرْآنٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَلَا أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرَ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

"And you are not engaged in any matter or recite any of the Quran or do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it. And not absent from your Lord is any part of an atom's weight within the earth or within the heaven or [anything] smaller than that or greater but that it is in a clear register." (Quran 67:12)

This, my dear young Muslims, is the ultimate reality check. The true test of Iman (faith) is not on the stage, but backstage. It’s in the choice to close the browser with inappropriate content, even when your internet history is "private." It’s in the decision to put your own answer on the test, even when you could easily glance at your neighbor’s paper without getting caught. It’s in the act of speaking kindly about a classmate you find annoying, when you’re in a group that’s gossiping about them.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ laid the foundation for all of this with one of the most famous and pivotal hadith in our religion. He said:

إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى

"Verily, deeds are only by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended." (Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim)

Your intention—that secret conversation between your heart and Allah—is what gives your action its value. That “like” on a post to help a charity, did you do it for the praise of your followers, or for the pleasure of Allah? That prayer you rushed through in your room before leaving for school, was it a genuine connection, or just a habit you ticked off a list? Allah is watching that intention. The angels are recording it. And you, alone, are responsible for it.

This concept in Islam is called Ikhlas—sincerity, purity of intention. It is the heart of our worship. A small act done with utter sincerity in the unseen is infinitely greater in the scales of Allah than a grand, public act done for show. The great scholar of the heart, Al-Hasan al-Basri, said, "The sin that humbles you is better in the sight of Allah than the good deed that makes you proud."

So, who are you when no one is watching? You are the person whose character is built not by external pressure, but by internal compass. You are the one who understands that the most important witness is not the teacher walking by your desk, but the two angels, Raquib and Atid, sitting on your shoulders, recording every single thing. You are the believer who lives with the profound awareness of Al-Muhsi—The One Who Counts and Records Everything.

Part Two

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. صَلَّى اللَّهُ وَسَلَّمَ وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ:

So how do we cultivate this integrity of the unseen? How do we become people who are just as good in private as we are in public?

First, Create a Private Relationship with Allah. This is your spiritual backbone. Beyond the five daily prayers in congregation, have your own private du’a sessions. Talk to Allah in the last third of the night, or in the quiet before Fajr. Confess your struggles, your fears, your secret hopes to Him. When you build that intimate connection, you will never feel truly alone, and you will never want to betray the One who is always watching with love and mercy.

Second, Audit Your Secret Actions. At the end of each day, ask yourself: What did I do today that only Allah saw? Did I secretly help someone by picking up trash no one noticed? Did I suppress an angry curse in traffic when I was alone in the car? Did I turn away from a temptation that nobody would have ever known about?