Don't understate the obligatory

Jumuah Mubarak, dear brothers and sisters.

Gratitudeshukris more than a fleeting emotion. Its a way of life, a return, a journey back to the One whohas given us everything.

In a Hadith Qudsi (Sahih Bukhari 6502), Allah says:

The most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (extra deeds) till I lovehim...

But heres a common misstep that Ustadh Tariq warns us about in our past Eid Khutbah:

"The greatest thing that you can do is those things that Allah has made obligatory upon us. How can you engage in supererogatory acts without fulfilling the obligatory? You have misunderstood."

We sometimes rush to the extra without first honoring the foundation. Praying long night prayers while neglecting Fajr. Giving sadaqa while ignoring our zakat dues. Showing up late to salah but early to optional gatherings. We pile on extras while our dues remainunpaid.

This isnt the path of gratitudeits a misunderstanding of love and closeness.

Ustadh Tariq reminds us, Dont show up to Allah in a state of indebtedness. Fulfill what He has asked of you first. Pay what is due. And thenthenlet your love for Him overflow into extra acts, not as compensation, but as devotionand longing.

Start by anchoring yourself in whats obligatory. That is where the nearness begins. And when you walk that path, Allah promises:

...and if he asks Me, I will give him. If he seeks refuge in Me, I will protect him.

This Jumuah, let your shukr be action. Let your love be obedience.

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