Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 31, 2025.
Live by the Quran and care for others
“We don't celebrate their holidays but we still have good character.”
In one sentence
Muslims should preserve an Islamic way of life grounded in the Qur'an and Sunnah while showing kindness to non-Muslims and taking practical responsibility for parents, neighbors, and people in hardship.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Establishes the Qur'an and Sunnah as the basis for wholehearted Islamic practice.
- Defines Islamic holidays and warns against adopting other religious celebrations or customs.
- Distinguishes religious boundaries from kindness and fairness toward non-Muslims and relatives.
- Calls Muslims to turn to Allah during hardship and avoid pre-Islamic practices.
- Urges feeding the needy, caring for parents and elders, and honoring neighbors.
- Recommends voluntary fasting and community support for Muslims facing hardship, then closes with supplication.
Try this week
Observe the Islamic holidays named in the sermon rather than adopting other religious holidays.
Treat peaceful non-Muslims fairly, maintain family ties with non-Muslim relatives, and show good character.
Feed people in need and share available food generously.
Care for parents, elders, and neighbors, especially during difficult times.
Fast beyond Ramadan as able, including three days monthly or Mondays and Thursdays.
Turn to Allah in difficulty and support mosque efforts to help people in need.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to explain that Jumu'ah and Eid can coincide and that Jumu'ah attendance may be excused for some travelers.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to identify Arafah, the Day of Sacrifice, and the days of Tashriq as Islamic days of celebration.
Sunan Abi DawudUsed to explain that Allah replaced pre-Islamic celebrations with Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to warn that Muslims may imitate earlier nations even in foolish practices.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to show that Muslims should maintain kindness and family ties with non-Muslim relatives.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to warn against copying pre-Islamic religious practices.
Sahih MuslimUsed to encourage sharing food because small amounts can feed several people.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to establish honoring and helping one's neighbors.
Sunan an-Nasa'iUsed to encourage fasting beyond Ramadan, including regular voluntary fasting.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“we don't celebrate their holidays but we still have good character”
“the food for one person is enough for two people and the food for two people is enough for four people and the food for four people is enough for eight people”
“if we adopt the islamic lifestyle of fasting we would benefit ourselves and benefit others”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us to build our lives around the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We should keep our own Islamic celebrations while treating people of other faiths with fairness, kindness, and good character. During difficult times, we should share food, care for parents and elders, and look after our neighbors. The speaker also encouraged voluntary fasting and turning to Allah through prayer and supplication. Small acts of worship and service can bring benefit to both ourselves and our community.
- How can we show kindness to someone whose religious practices are different from ours?
- Who might need us to share food or help this week?
- What act of fasting, prayer, or service could we try together?
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