Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 23, 2025.
Treat others as you hope Allah treats you
MCF · Bilal Elsakka
“Treat other people how you want Allah Azza wa Jal to treat you.”
In one sentence
Treating others with wisdom, forgiveness, and ihsan as we hope Allah treats us is a central expression of faithful Islamic conduct.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces Abu Dawud's four foundational hadiths, beginning with intentions.
- Encourages assuming good, leaving irrelevant matters, and avoiding loophole-seeking in gray areas.
- Teaches that struggling people need wisdom, healing, and supportive community rather than judgment alone.
- Explains ihsan through Qarun's story and the command to recognize Allah's blessings and pay them forward.
- Concludes with charity examples, orphan support, and Musa's small act of sadaqah followed by dua.
Try this week
In gray situations, assume good, leave what does not concern you, and consult a sincere expert instead of hunting for loopholes.
Respond to people struggling with sin through wisdom, support, and welcoming community while still recognizing wrongdoing and consequences.
When someone sincerely regrets wrongdoing and accepts accountability, consider forgiving and continuing appropriate support.
Count ten blessings and find a way to show ihsan by paying one forward.
Offer whatever small charity you can, whether financial help, practical assistance, or social sadaqah, and make dua.
Support orphan care according to your capacity and sincerity.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sunan Abi DawudUses intentions, leaving irrelevant matters, loving for one's brother, and navigating ambiguous matters as foundational principles.
Surah 24Cites punishment for slander and Allah's appeal to Abu Bakr to forgive as he wants Allah's forgiveness.
Surah 28Uses Qarun's arrogance, the command to practice ihsan, and Musa's charity and supplication to teach gratitude and generosity.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“What's needed is deeper healing. Deeper support, a deeper sense of real community, not the surface level shallow stuff.”
“Treat other people how you want Allah Azza wa Jal to treat you. This is the highest level.”
“What has Allah already given me? Allah has given me perhaps eyesight, the ability to hear, the ability to walk of my own accord, the ability to breathe of my own accord, whatever it may be.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches us not to rush into bad assumptions about other people, especially when we do not know the full story. People who are struggling need wisdom, healing, and a caring community, not only criticism. Abu Bakr showed that forgiveness can follow accountability when someone regrets a serious mistake and accepts its consequences. We should remember Allah's blessings, practice ihsan toward others, and find small ways to help. Even a simple act of charity or kindness can matter greatly when it is sincere.
- When have you learned that a situation was different from what you first assumed?
- What is one blessing you could share with someone else this week?
- What kind of support helps people grow after making a mistake?
Where it was given
The masjid
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