18:16 saying I'm sorry shows…22:12 are not held together…23:58 today you and I should…
Family & marriageFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 13, 2026.

Love and apologies hold families together

ICFV · Ahmad Jabalawi

“Today you and I should find someone to say I love you.”

The khateeb, at 23:58

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Strong families and relationships are maintained through intentional attention, openly expressed love and appreciation, and humble apologies.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces “I love you” and “I’m sorry” as two phrases that hold families and relationships together.
  2. Explains love through prioritizing family, attentive listening, and prophetic examples of affection.
  3. Urges people to verbalize love and appreciation, warning that emotional neglect can damage relationships.
  4. Presents apology as maturity, responsibility, repair, and humility, while acknowledging that forgiveness may take time.
  5. Offers specific apology steps and several ways to express love, including affirmation, gifts, service, and quality time.
  6. Calls listeners to make expressing love and apologizing a personal motto for the new Hijri year.
Try this week
Prioritize family and give loved ones undivided attention, including listening without being on the phone.
Tell spouses, children, parents, and other loved ones, “I love you” and “I appreciate you.”
When wrong, apologize without saying “but,” name the mistake, accept responsibility, make amends, and ask for forgiveness.
Give the other person time if they are not ready to accept an apology, and seek a mediator when needed.
Express love through affirming words, thoughtful gifts, acts of service, and quality time.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet shortened prayer upon hearing a baby cry, illustrating consideration for parents.
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet listened to Aisha recount a long story and participated attentively in the discussion.
Sahih MuslimThe Prophet named Aisha as the person he loved most, modeling direct verbal affection.
Sahih al-BukhariAbu Bakr pursued Umar to apologize after a disagreement, illustrating humility and relationship repair.
Quran 12:97-98The sons of Yaqub ask their father to seek forgiveness, illustrating that an apology may need time before acceptance.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“saying I'm sorry shows maturity shows respect saying I'm sorry stops emotional bleeding”
ICFV · Fountain Valley, CA
Play from 18:16
“are not held together by big events they are held together by small words small sentences I love you I appreciate you keeps us close and I'm sorry keeps us together”
ICFV · Fountain Valley, CA
Play from 22:12
“today you and I should find someone to say I love you I appreciate you and should find someone to say I'm sorry”
ICFV · Fountain Valley, CA
Play from 23:58
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us that small words like “I love you,” “I appreciate you,” and “I’m sorry” help keep families close. Love becomes meaningful when we give each other attention, express our feelings, and appreciate what others do. The khateeb shared examples of the Prophet showing care for his family through listening, affection, and time together. He explained that a sincere apology takes humility: we name what we did wrong, accept responsibility, and ask how to make things right. We can practice these lessons through kind words, small acts of service, and time together, while remembering that someone we hurt may need time before accepting an apology.

  1. What is something someone in our family does that you would like to thank them for?
  2. What could you say when apologizing that shows you understand how the other person feels?
  3. What simple activity could we do together this week to show we care?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Centre of Fountain Valley16551 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708KhateebAhmad JabalawiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICFV60 khutbahs
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