3:17 Honesty leads to…11:13 Every one of us needs…23:16 Ask the people of…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 2, 2025.

Verify information before you share it

Masjid Uthman

“Every one of us needs to be a researcher before we decide to spread information.”

The khateeb, at 11:13

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims must practice truthfulness in belief, conduct, relationships, and information-sharing by verifying reports, avoiding gossip and baseless judgments, and consulting qualified experts.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Truthfulness, taqwa, and righteous company are presented as central Islamic values.
  2. Hadith connects honesty with righteousness and Paradise, while deceit leads to sin and the Fire.
  3. Modern technology and social media make deception harder to recognize and easier to spread.
  4. Listeners are urged to pause, research, and verify information before sharing it.
  5. Four safeguards are given: assess relevance, think well of others, seek proof, and consult experts.
  6. The khutbah closes with a prayer for truthfulness, taqwa, and companionship with the truthful.
Try this week
Pause, research, and verify information before sharing, commenting, or repeating it.
Ask whether information concerns you or benefits anyone before discussing it.
Avoid gossip and private affairs, especially when the information is negative or unverified.
Assume the best about Muslims until there is reliable proof, and avoid rejoicing over another person's loss.
Do not label people as disbelievers, innovators, or grave sinners without definitive knowledge and proof.
Consult a trusted local scholar or qualified expert, and avoid shopping for opinions until finding a preferred answer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 9Used to command taqwa and companionship with truthful people.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to show that honesty leads to righteousness and Paradise, while lying leads to sin and the Fire.
Surah 49Used to require verification of doubtful reports and warn against sinful suspicion.
Surah 24Used through the slander against Aisha to teach believers to think well and reject unsupported accusations.
Surah 16Used to instruct people to ask knowledgeable experts when they do not know.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Honesty leads to righteousness. Honesty of the tongue, honesty of the mind, honesty of the actions.”
Masjid Uthman · Dunwoody, GA
Play from 3:17
“Every one of us needs to be a researcher before we decide to spread information.”
Masjid Uthman · Dunwoody, GA
Play from 11:13
“Ask the people of remembrance, ask the people of knowledge, if you don't know.”
Masjid Uthman · Dunwoody, GA
Play from 23:16
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that being truthful means being honest in our beliefs, actions, and words, and keeping company with truthful people. He encouraged us to slow down before sharing information, especially when something online catches our attention. Before passing something along, we should ask whether it concerns us, think well of others, and check the evidence. Someone else's private troubles should not become our gossip or a reason to feel happy about their hardship. When we do not understand something, especially a religious matter, we should ask knowledgeable people instead of choosing whichever answer suits us.

  1. What could you do to check whether a surprising video or story is real before sharing it?
  2. How could you respond kindly when friends start spreading a rumor about someone?
  3. What is one way our family can practice honesty through our actions this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Uthman11 Dunwoody Park South, Suite #165, Atlanta, GA 30338ArchiveAll khutbahs at Masjid Uthman36 khutbahs
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