Assume good and let go of grudges
“No one has the right to assume what's in a person's heart.”
Families and communities draw closer to Allah's mercy when they replace suspicion and grudges with good assumptions, forgiveness, empathy, and a commitment to move forward.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Praises Allah's recurring moments of mercy and urges believers to seize them.
- Honors the Prophet and emphasizes that love brings believers into the company of those they love.
- Explains how grudges can block forgiveness and mercy.
- Uses Yusuf's patience and forgiveness after family betrayal as the central example.
- Applies the lesson to modern family disconnection, especially before Ramadan.
- Teaches listeners not to assume intentions, to assume good, and to prioritize reconciliation over proving who was right.
- Closes with prayers for purified hearts, reconciliation, and afflicted believers.
In the khateeb's words
“Do not assume What's in people's hearts No one has the right To assume What's in a person's heart Only Allah can say What is in a person's heart”
“Most people They're making decisions And they're doing actions Based on what makes sense To them”
“Relationships will fail Because the moment people Go to court They're in each other's throats”
“Something happened It wasn't clear You know I didn't like that It happened that way How can we make sure That inshallah ta'ala This doesn't repeat again”
For the dinner table
Allah gives us repeated opportunities to receive His mercy, and we should not let them pass us by. The story of Yusuf teaches that even families can experience jealousy, pain, and conflict, but patience and trust in Allah can lead to healing. Before Ramadan, we should let go of grudges and stop assuming we know what is in another person's heart. We can assume good, listen carefully, forgive mistakes, and focus on how to move forward rather than proving who was right. This kind of mercy and reconciliation can bring peace to our homes and help us draw closer to Allah.
- What is one situation where you might be assuming someone's intention, and what else could be true?
- When is it more helpful to ask “How can we move forward?” than “Who is right?”
- What could giving someone “70 excuses” look like at home this week?
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