Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 5, 2026.

Truthfulness leads to righteousness and forgiveness

“The path for righteousness is built upon you and me telling the truth.”

The khateeb, at 30:20

In one sentence

Truthfulness, even when it brings consequences, leads to righteousness and Allah’s forgiveness, while procrastination and dishonesty lead to regret and spiritual harm.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Introduces the difficult expedition to Tabuk and the companions’ varying reasons for staying behind.
  2. Explains Ka'b ibn Malik’s procrastination and his lack of a valid excuse.
  3. Connects procrastination with lifelong regret through a contemporary personal example.
  4. Recounts Ka'b’s truthful confession, social boycott, and eventual forgiveness.
  5. Concludes by urging truthfulness and warning against lying, exaggeration, tale-telling, and gossip.
Try this week
Tell the truth even when it brings consequences, and accept accountability for your choices.
Stop postponing important responsibilities, apologies, family time, and good intentions until tomorrow.
Avoid lying, exaggeration, tale-telling, and gossip.
Seek Allah’s forgiveness while remaining truthful.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 9:118-119Describes the three companions who stayed behind and commands believers to remain truthful.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“What if I did spend that time with my child, with my family, with my mother, with my father? What if I did pick up that phone call?”
MUC · Bloomfield Hills, MI
Play from 15:01
“I want the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So what I will do is I will tell the truth. in hopes that Allah will forgive me.”
MUC · Bloomfield Hills, MI
Play from 20:34
“Hold fast to the truth. Yes, at times there may be consequences. You have done something. You are accountable for that.”
MUC · Bloomfield Hills, MI
Play from 29:51
“Truthfulness leads to righteousness. The path for righteousness is built upon you and me telling the truth.”
MUC · Bloomfield Hills, MI
Play from 30:20
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah told the story of Ka'b ibn Malik, who kept delaying his preparations for the expedition to Tabuk until he missed it. The khateeb reminded us that putting things off can cost us precious opportunities, including time with family and chances to apologize. When the Prophet returned, Ka'b admitted that he had no valid excuse instead of making up a story. He faced painful consequences, but he remained truthful and eventually received the joyful news that Allah had forgiven him. The message for our family is to act on the good we intend, speak honestly even when it is difficult, and seek Allah's forgiveness when we make mistakes.

  1. What good thing have you been saving for tomorrow that you could begin today?
  2. Who could you make time for or say sorry to this week?
  3. What would help you tell the truth when you feel afraid of getting in trouble?