Community & unityFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 25, 2026.
Build friendships that strengthen faith
“The masjid is a starting place.”
In one sentence
Because friendship is a lifelong need, Muslims should choose companions who strengthen faith and intentionally build meaningful brotherhood through the masjid and everyday acts of care.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- A survey about fulfilling relationships frames friendship as a widespread need amid loneliness.
- Suratul Furqan warns that a harmful companion can cause devastating regret on Judgment Day.
- The story of Uqbah and Ubay illustrates how peer pressure can lead someone away from faith.
- The khateeb shares how friendships affected his prayer, Ramadan, and Muslim identity.
- Prophetic guidance emphasizes companionship with believers who elevate iman.
- Listeners are urged to build brotherhood through masjid activities, smiles, calls, invitations, and personal initiative.
Try this week
Recognize the lifelong value of friendship and seek companions who elevate iman.
Attend Muslim clubs and activities, engage face-to-face, and greet people warmly.
Call or text people to check on them, invite them for coffee or a hike, and follow up when they are sick.
Before leaving the masjid, introduce yourself to someone you do not know and intend to build a meaningful relationship.
Sources the khateeb cited
Jami` at-TirmidhiThe Prophet's guidance supports keeping company with believers and people of taqwa.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Around bad company. They will challenge. Even your own identity. They will make you wonder. That should I even. Do I even need to pray.”
“The masjid is a starting place. It's a platform for that. But it's not the end goal.”
“Friendships. And brotherhood. Is not found. You don't walk in the masjid. Oh. There's my brother. For the first time. He's not your brother. Build brotherhood. Build friendship.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that everyone needs good friendship throughout life. Friends can strengthen our faith, but they can also make wrong choices and neglected worship feel normal. We should seek people who help us pray, practice Islam, and become better. The masjid can be the starting place, but real brotherhood must be built through greetings, conversations, invitations, calls, and care. Each of us can begin by reaching out to someone we do not yet know.
- What makes someone a friend who helps you become better?
- How can we make a new person at the masjid feel included?
- What small act of friendship could you do this week?
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