Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 5, 2025.

Control anger and resist peer pressure

“The strong person is not the one who can overpower others but the one who controls himself when angry.”

The khateeb, at 1:46

In one sentence

Young Muslims should control anger and resist peer pressure by following prophetic guidance and valuing Allah’s approval over others’ opinions.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Anger can mask sadness, fear, or hurt and leave lasting relational scars.
  2. The Quran and Prophet teach forgiveness and self-control as responses to anger.
  3. Practical anger strategies include seeking refuge in Allah, making wudu, changing posture, pausing, and breathing.
  4. Peer pressure can lead young people toward harmful choices because they want to fit in.
  5. Social media, school, work, and other environments can all create pressure to imitate others.
  6. Muslims should follow the Prophet, prioritize Allah’s approval, repent, and change harmful behavior.
Try this week
Pause, take a deep breath, and avoid reacting immediately when angry.
Seek refuge in Allah from Satan when anger rises.
Make wudu to cool and calm yourself.
Change physical position by sitting, leaning, or lying down.
Resist pressure to imitate harmful behavior and prioritize Allah’s approval.
Repent and change your ways after making a wrong choice.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“words spoken in anger leave scars that may never fully heal”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 0:38
“the strong person is not the one who can overpower others but the one who controls himself when angry”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 1:46
“instead of scary angry angry thunderous words causing terror let your words be like gentle rain that helps others grow and blossom”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 3:09
“But you should only worry if Allah approves of you and what He thinks of you”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 12:16
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Anger is real, but it does not have to control us; it may hide sadness, fear, or hurt, and angry words can leave lasting scars. The Prophet taught that strength means controlling ourselves, so we can seek Allah’s protection, make wudu, change our position, pause, and breathe before reacting. Young people also need courage to resist pressure from friends, social media, school, work, and other places where fitting in can lead them away from what is right. Our deepest concern should be Allah’s approval, and when we make mistakes, we should repent, change our ways, and choose kindness.

  1. When have you felt pressure to fit in, and what helped you make your own choice?
  2. Which anger-control strategy would you like to practice this week?
  3. How can we choose Allah’s approval over other people’s opinions?