6:55 if you've come across…18:49 strength doesn't…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 17, 2026.

Choose words that protect relationships

Daleel Islamic Association · Omer Habib
Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Believers should protect relationships by speaking with the best, clearest words, assuming good intentions, and responding to hurt with patience and forgiveness rather than overinterpretation or revenge.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Careless words can give Shaytan an opening to create suspicion and break relationships.
  2. Speakers should choose the clearest and kindest words, avoiding ambiguous or hurtful humor.
  3. Listeners should assume good intentions instead of overinterpreting words or collecting past grievances.
  4. The Quran disciplines both the tongue and the heart to close the door to discord.
  5. True strength means patiently enduring hurt and choosing forgiveness over revenge.
Try this week
Choose the clearest and kindest wording, especially when a phrase could have multiple meanings.
Avoid jokes or comments that might embarrass or hurt someone.
Assume good intentions and avoid building negative interpretations from isolated words.
Respond to hurt with patience, flexibility, and forgiveness rather than revenge.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“if you've come across a word that has two meanings or that can hold two different way of interpretations avoid it don't say it choose another one”
Daleel Islamic Association · Scarborough, ON
Play from 6:55
“strength doesn't entail that when you are in a good time to take your revenge you just take it because that guy has said something wrong to you and might have hurt you”
Daleel Islamic Association · Scarborough, ON
Play from 18:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Omer Habib reminded us that our words can protect relationships or hurt them, even when we do not mean harm. He encouraged us to choose the best words and leave a joke unsaid if it might hurt someone. When we are listening, we should think well of others instead of letting suspicion turn a misunderstanding into a broken friendship. Both the person speaking and the person listening have a responsibility to care for the relationship. He explained that real strength includes patience and forgiveness, and that a peaceful life needs patience and flexibility.

  1. How could you make your friends laugh while helping everyone feel included?
  2. When someone's words upset you, what could help you understand what they meant?
  3. What would a strong, patient response look like the next time you feel like getting even?
Where it was given

The masjid

Daleel Islamic Association3545 Kingston Rd, Lower Level, Toronto, ON M1M 1R6Jumu'ah Jumma | 1:30 PMKhateebOmer HabibMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Daleel Islamic Association43 khutbahs
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