Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 26, 2026.
Choose your words and seek peace
“It's an act of worship to keep your mouth closed.”
In one sentence
Allah’s guidance is to choose the best words, or remain silent, because controlling our speech protects relationships from Shaytan, earns reward, and turns conflict toward peace.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Introduces the Quranic command in Surah al-Isra to speak the best words and avoid Shaytan-fueled conflict.
- Uses Umar ibn al-Khattab and the early Meccan Muslims to illustrate restraint instead of retaliation.
- Explains that Allah records every word and that faith requires speaking good or remaining silent.
- Uses Abu Bakr’s story and the promise of Paradise to show the spiritual stakes of kind speech.
- Applies the lesson to texts and arguments through a three-second pause, seeking refuge, compliments, and silence.
Try this week
Pause for three seconds, breathe, and seek refuge from Shaytan before replying when upset.
Choose the best words in texts, comments, family conversations, and disagreements.
Give sincere compliments to parents, spouses, children, coworkers, and fellow Muslims.
Remain silent when an argument is escalating and you have nothing helpful to add.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 17Commands believers to choose the best words so Shaytan cannot create conflict.
Sahih al-BukhariLinks faith with speaking good or remaining silent.
Sahih MuslimAbu Bakr’s story illustrates how silence protects against Shaytan’s influence.
Jami` at-TirmidhiPromises transparent rooms in Paradise for those who speak kindly and feed others.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“So choose the best word because shaytan certainly try to cause fight among them.”
“If you don't have something helpful, kind, beautiful to say. It's an act of worship to keep your mouth closed.”
“Pause for three seconds, breathe and say, seek refuge from the secure cursed Shantan. Then choose the best words.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us that our words can protect or damage our relationships. The khateeb taught that Allah asks us to choose the best words, because Shaytan can use careless speech to create anger and division. We were encouraged to pause, seek refuge from Shaytan, and choose kindness, or remain silent when we have nothing helpful to say. This week, we can practice by giving sincere compliments at home and speaking gently to our parents, spouses, children, coworkers, and fellow Muslims.
- When has a kind word helped calm a difficult situation?
- What kinds of messages should we pause before sending?
- Who in our family could use an encouraging compliment this week?
Keep listening
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