Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 24, 2026.
Good character gives a community its value
“Islam is a religion that helps people excel at treating others well.”
In one sentence
A Muslim community's value and credibility are built by good character, especially how it treats family, fellow Muslims, neighbors, and people across ethnic and religious lines.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with taqwa and the universal dignity of all people.
- Uses a Cornell assault case to argue that humane treatment gives societies moral value.
- Connects Islamic history, the Prophet's mission, and civil-rights history to ethical conduct.
- Calls American Muslims to improve family relationships and welcome Muslims across ethnic, racial, and practice differences.
- Links worship to good character and urges Muslims to embody truthfulness, trustworthiness, justice, and hope.
- Closes with prayers and announcements for Usama, Open Mosque Day, the Abu Bakr series, and voting-center dates.
Try this week
Treat spouses, children, parents, neighbors, and fellow Muslims with greater care and respect.
Welcome Muslims of different ethnicities, races, ages, backgrounds, and levels of practice in the masjid.
Make du'a for Usama and his family's recovery and patience.
Attend Open Mosque Day this Sunday from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m., invite a non-Muslim neighbor, colleague, or friend, and come with them.
Attend the Khulafat Ar-Rashideen series tonight after Isha prayer at 7:45.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 1Recited at the beginning and end of the khutbah.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“But what makes Islamic history truly worth studying is something more important than certain individuals or certain accomplishments. It's how we treated one another.”
“But when someone of a different ethnicity enters that space and then they feel unwelcomed because of how the people there treat them or look at them, that's a problem.”
“Islam is a religion that helps people excel at treating others well.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Islam's value is shown by how we treat people. Good character begins with those closest to us, especially spouses, children, parents, and fellow Muslims. We should make every person feel welcome in the masjid, including people from different ethnicities and those still learning how to practice. Worship is not separate from character; prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage should help us become more truthful, trustworthy, caring, and respectful.
- What is one way we can make someone feel more welcome this week?
- How can our worship improve the way we treat our family?
- What does good character look like when someone is still learning?
Keep listening
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