Think before speaking to protect your faith
“If we don't have anything good to say then we should just remain silent.”
The khutbah teaches that believers should avoid laghw, thoughtless or indecent speech, useless activities, and sins of the tongue, to protect their faith and attain Jannah.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Introduces Ramadan as the month of the Qur'an and urges reading, reflection, and practice.
- Defines laghw as speech uttered without thought and warns that words can earn divine pleasure or anger.
- Expands laghw to indecent speech, profanity, music, and entertainment that can normalize sin.
- Calls listeners to examine time spent on television, movies, social media, and other purposeless activities.
- Connects laghw to sins of the tongue, including backbiting, damima, and slander.
- Applies the teaching to Jumu'ah etiquette, warning against talking or phone use during the khutbah.
- Closes with supplications for forgiveness, guidance, Paradise, and protection from Hellfire.
In the khateeb's words
“because the Quran was meant for us to read and to ponder upon and to practice in our lives”
“if we don't have anything good to say then we should just remain silent”
“we should ask ourselves how much time do we spend watching tv or watching tv shows which are useless shows”
“time is a special asset which Allah has given us every breath that we take is special and it's a blessing from Allah”
For the dinner table
The khateeb taught that Ramadan is a special month for engaging with the Qur'an through reading, reflection, and practice. He explained that laghw means more than idle talk: it includes thoughtless words, indecent speech, purposeless entertainment, and sins of the tongue such as backbiting and slander. He warned that what we hear and watch can shape our hearts, behavior, and faith. He urged us to value our limited health and free time and to remain silent rather than speak harmfully. During Jumu'ah, he reminded us to put away phones and avoid talking so we can listen respectfully.
- What is one distracting activity you could replace with something beneficial this week?
- When is it hardest for you to stay silent instead of saying something unhelpful?
- How can our family make Qur'an reflection part of Ramadan?
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influences
Lowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored