5:25 So when Allah…12:32 So be a just, fair…24:20 Your messenger. your…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 25, 2026.

Faith is shown by righteous character

ICC Tempe

“There are qualities to paradise. There are qualities that we can acquire.”

The khateeb, at 24:20

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Faith is measured not by birth, appearance, wealth, or status, but by a God-conscious heart expressed through prayer, charity, justice, compassion, and frequent remembrance of Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Faith-based distinctions come from inner character and righteous conduct, not inherited identity or status.
  2. Surah al-Anfal describes believers whose hearts respond to Allah’s remembrance and whose faith produces reliance, prayer, and charity.
  3. A hadith highlights just and generous authority, compassion toward family, and dignified restraint from begging as qualities of Paradise.
  4. The Prophet’s leadership is presented as gentle, fair, truthful, generous, and compassionate.
  5. Imam Malik’s example emphasizes humility and spiritual responsiveness when evaluating teachers.
  6. The khutbah closes by urging frequent remembrance of Allah beyond the five daily prayers and emulation of the Prophet.
Try this week
Establish the five daily prayers and remember Allah frequently between them, including in the morning and evening.
When given authority, act fairly, avoid demanding from others what you would not do, and be generous with compensation.
Practice gentleness, compassion, and service especially toward spouses, children, parents, and other family members.
Accept honest correction and use it to improve the heart and character.
Preserve dignity during hardship, seek lawful provision, and avoid begging when possible.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 8Used to describe believers whose hearts tremble at Allah’s remembrance and whose faith leads to reliance, prayer, and charity.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“So when Allah describes these believers that have righteous conduct, He even says between them are degrees of righteousness, degrees of belief, degrees of ascension.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 5:25
“So be a just, fair person when you are ever given an ounce of authority.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 12:32
“Your messenger. your Prophet is teaching us something very important. There are qualities to paradise. There are qualities that we can acquire.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 24:20
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that Allah does not measure people by family background, appearance, wealth, or status. What raises a person is living faith that shows up in prayer, charity, fairness, humility, and good character. The speaker especially emphasizes compassion at home, saying the best people are those who are best to their families. We are encouraged to accept honest correction, treat responsibility as a trust, and lead with gentleness rather than fear. Even between the five prayers, we can remember Allah often and keep walking toward Paradise.

  1. What does being fair look like when you are in charge of something?
  2. How can we show more compassion to our family this week?
  3. What is one way we can remember Allah between prayers?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Community Center of Tempe131 E 6th St, Tempe, AZ 85281Jumu'ah 12:30 to 1:00 PM · 1:30 to 2:00 PM · 2:40 to 3:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICC Tempe52 khutbahs
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