Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 8, 2026.

Following the Prophet means showing mercy

“Kindness, if you add it to anything, will make it beautiful.”

The khateeb, at 30:04

In one sentence

Following Prophet Muhammad's example means embodying mercy toward family, neighbors, children, animals, and all people because mercy is central to faith and invites Allah's mercy.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The sermon opens with gratitude for Prophet Muhammad as a mercy and calls listeners to study his life.
  2. Qur'anic passages and hadiths are used to connect loving Allah with following the Prophet.
  3. The Prophet's mercy toward believers, parents, spouses, and children is illustrated through practical examples.
  4. The sermon extends mercy to neighbors, emphasizing safety, generosity, and restraint in speech.
  5. Examples about cats, dogs, camels, and ritual slaughter teach humane treatment of animals.
  6. The khutbah closes by urging listeners to spread mercy and praying for families, the community, the sick, the deceased, and oppressed people in Palestine and Gaza.
Try this week
Study the Prophet's seerah, manners, and character.
Choose ease, encouragement, and good news when teaching or treating others.
Show kindness to parents, spouses, children, and elders through time, listening, help, affection, and fulfilled promises.
Keep neighbors safe, avoid harmful speech, and share food and blessings.
Feed and give water to animals, avoid abuse, and follow humane rules when slaughtering.
Go home and discuss, share, and spread mercy.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Studying the seerah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is mandatory.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 9:53
“We add rahmah to our faith, we add rahmah to our manners, we add rahmah to whatever we do.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 13:09
“Kindness, if you add it to anything, will make it beautiful. If you remove it from anything, will make it ugly.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 30:04
“We need to share the food. We need to share the blessing of Allah. We need to share the happiness.”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 30:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us to thank Allah for the Prophet Muhammad, learn about his life, and follow his example of mercy. The imam explained that mercy belongs in our everyday words and actions, especially when someone is struggling. At home, that means honoring our parents, treating our spouses kindly, helping with household work, and giving children love and attention. Mercy also reaches our neighbors and animals through sharing food, making others feel safe, and caring for living creatures. He encouraged us to go home and talk about mercy, then put it into practice together.

  1. What is one kind thing someone did today that made your day easier?
  2. When you are upset, what helps you feel listened to and cared for?
  3. How could we show mercy to a neighbor or an animal this week?