Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 1, 2026.
Good character takes lifelong practice
“If it's a command from Allah, that means we have to work on ourselves.”
In one sentence
Good character is a lifelong act of worship learned from the Qur'an and Sunnah and practiced through self-correction, patience, forgiveness, generosity, and responsibility in close relationships.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- The khutbah grounds faith, conduct, and truthfulness in obedience to Allah and following revelation.
- It defines akhlaq as enduring character rather than occasional behavior, while acknowledging human weakness.
- The Qur'an and the Prophet's example are presented as the standard for worship, relationships, and manners.
- Listeners are urged to practice ma'ruf, overlook minor faults, forgive, suppress anger, and show generosity, especially at home.
- Marriage, family, community, and everyday encounters are framed as tests requiring sacrifice and self-awareness.
- Good character must be deliberately trained through patience and repeated practice, without seeking people's praise.
- The khutbah closes with supplication and announcements about prayer times, parking, and a seminar.
Try this week
Seek knowledge of good and bad manners from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Overlook minor faults, forgive, and avoid demanding every right from close family.
Practice generosity through pleasant attitudes, smiles, kind speech, and helpful conduct.
Suppress anger and pardon people when appropriate, while maintaining religious boundaries.
Examine personal faults honestly and accept beneficial advice from others.
Practice patience, restraint, forbearance, and kindness repeatedly until they become habitual, seeking Allah's reward.
Starting tomorrow, observe Fajr at 5 a.m. and Isha at 9:45 p.m.
Do not park on 17th Street or at the church.
Attend the second week of the two-week seminar.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 3:102Used to exhort believers to fear Allah and remain Muslim.
Quran 4:1Used to explain humanity's shared origin, mutual rights, and accountability.
Quran 7:199Used to teach overlooking faults, commanding recognized goodness, and turning away from ignorance.
Quran 3:134Used to emphasize suppressing anger and pardoning people.
Quran 25:20Used to frame relationships and other people as tests requiring patience.
Quran 29:45Used to connect prayer and holding to Scripture with moral reform.
Quran 7:170Used to connect prayer and holding to Scripture with moral reform.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“If it's a command from Allah, that means we have to work on ourselves.”
“The akhlaq in al-islam is not based on al-mu'awada, not based on rewarding one another.”
“The real akhlaq is with those who sees us all the time.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that akhlaq means character that stays with us, especially when we are around people who know us well. Our weaknesses are real, but they are not excuses to remain angry, harsh, greedy, or careless. The Qur'an and Sunnah teach us to be truthful, generous, patient, forgiving, and willing to overlook small faults. Family and community relationships test whether we truly practice these qualities. We should keep training ourselves for Allah's sake, even when nobody praises us.
- Who sees your real character most often, and what does that teach you about being kind at home?
- What is one small fault you could choose to overlook this week?
- Which good manner would you like to practice until it becomes part of you?
Keep listening
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