8:48 Islam is you. Islam is…10:15 When you are kind, my…17:03 When you promise…20:19 You are the PR machine…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 27, 2025.

Good character shows Islam to the world

Masjid Bilal

“You are the PR machine for Islam because you say the truth.”

The khateeb, at 20:19

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should answer Islamophobia and preserve Islam’s public witness by embodying the Prophet’s good character through truthfulness, compassion, helpfulness, punctuality, and care for family and neighbors.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Calls believers to taqwa, submission, and maintaining kinship using Quranic reminders.
  2. Describes contemporary Islamophobia, racism, anti-Muslim incidents, and collective blame.
  3. Argues that Muslims counter hostility through prophetic manners, compassion, honesty, and lived Islam.
  4. Urges year-end self-assessment, Islamic learning, family reconciliation, charity, and support for the oppressed and mosques.
  5. Applies good character to punctuality, keeping promises, avoiding lies and backbiting, and respectful mosque presentation.
  6. Closes with gratitude, repentance, prayers for the sick and oppressed, and a Saturday after-Fajr class announcement.
Try this week
Practice good character with Muslims and non-Muslims through honesty, compassion, courtesy, and avoiding lies or backbiting.
Call relatives you have not spoken to, even if the conversation is brief.
Use online time to learn Quran or hadith rather than spending it all on TikTok.
Give what you can to help oppressed people and support the masjid or another masjid.
Keep promises and arrive early or on time for work, meetings, and commitments.
Dress and present yourself respectfully when coming to the masjid.
Attend the Saturday after-Fajr class announced at the end.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 3Used to remind believers to fear Allah and remain submitted.
Surah 4Used to emphasize shared human origin, mindfulness of Allah, and maintaining kinship.
Surah 2Used to direct charitable spending toward parents, relatives, orphans, travelers, and needy people.
Surah 4Used to command worship of Allah and good treatment of parents, relatives, neighbors, companions, and travelers.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Islam is you. Islam is lived, is not on the books.”
Masjid Bilal · Historic South Central, CA
Play from 8:48
“When you are kind, my brothers and sister, that's the best business that you can have.”
Masjid Bilal · Historic South Central, CA
Play from 10:15
“When you promise somebody, I'm going to meet you at 12 noon, my brother and sister, be there 11.50.”
Masjid Bilal · Historic South Central, CA
Play from 17:03
“You are the PR machine for Islam because you say the truth, you take care of yourself, you don't lie, you go on time, you live on time.”
Masjid Bilal · Historic South Central, CA
Play from 20:19
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that Muslims answer hostility toward Islam by living Islam visibly through good character. Honesty, kindness, compassion, punctuality, keeping promises, respectful appearance, and care for relatives and neighbors are presented as forms of da'wah. We were encouraged to call relatives we have lost contact with, learn Quran and hadith, help the needy and oppressed, and support the masjid. As the year ends, we should thank Allah, repent, examine our habits, and choose better ones. The khutbah closed with prayers for the sick, oppressed communities, and a Saturday after-Fajr class.

  1. What is one kind action that could represent Islam to someone this week?
  2. Which habit would help you become more truthful, punctual, or compassionate?
  3. Who in our family could use a phone call or a little more care?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Bilal Islamic Center4016 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011Jumu'ah 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Masjid Bilal6 khutbahs
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