Build others up instead of tearing them down
“When we leave this world, will people remember what we criticized or will people remember what we built?”
Muslims should become builders who speak against wrong with wisdom and mercy, focus on their own capacity to serve, and contribute constructively rather than merely criticizing.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Distinguishes constructive critique from habitual mockery, complaint, division, and fault-finding.
- Uses Quranic commands and hadith to balance opposing wrong with gentle, truthful, and restrained speech.
- Contrasts builders who encourage, mentor, volunteer, forgive, and contribute with critics who consume and discourage.
- Applies the principle to Muslim unity, civic participation, local influence, and recognizing meaningful progress.
- Uses Salahuddin and Surah Ad-Duha to teach strategic patience and trust in long-term outcomes.
- Calls listeners to volunteer, follow communal norms, guard their speech, and be remembered for what they built.
In the khateeb's words
“Builders encourage. Builders mentor. Builders volunteer. Builders forgive. Builders contribute. Critics consume. Critics divide. Critics complain. Critics consume. Critics discourage.”
“I have capability and capacity that I will be asked about on the day of judgment.”
“When you leave this world, when we leave this world, will people remember what we criticized or will people remember what we built?”
For the dinner table
Today the khateeb talked about two kinds of people: builders and critics. Builders encourage, mentor, volunteer, forgive, and contribute. Critics complain, divide, and discourage, and they often offer nothing in return. He reminded us that Allah told Musa to speak gently even to Fir'aun, so our words should always carry wisdom and mercy. Pointing out what's wrong can be good, he said, but we should also notice the good, thank people for it, and do our own part where we live, like helping at the masjid. He ended with a question for all of us: when we leave this world, will people remember what we criticized, or what we built?
- What is one thing you could help build or fix this week at home, at school, or at the masjid?
- Can you think of a time someone's kind words encouraged you? How did it feel?
- Before you say something about someone, what questions could you ask yourself to make sure it's helpful and kind?
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