Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 17, 2026.
Make things right with justice and wisdom
“Justice helps you understand and know what needs to be right.”
In one sentence
True islah means taking responsibility to make things better through justice, wisdom, and sincerity, beginning with our own choices and relationships.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- The khutbah reframes goodness as something Muslims must bring into others’ lives, not merely seek from them.
- Shu'ayb’s example introduces islah as making things right as much as one is able.
- Effective repair requires justice, wisdom, and sincerity, with forgiveness balanced by accountability.
- Prophetic examples illustrate fair treatment, gentle correction, and sincere concern for another person’s improvement.
- Believers should remember past goodness without excusing wrongdoing or allowing continued harm.
- Islah begins with personal worship, family choices, modesty, social media, and everyday conduct.
- Muslims represent Islam through honesty, kindness, and manners, with the community’s future shaped by their example.
Try this week
Make things right wherever you have the ability, beginning with yourself.
Address the underlying harm in conflicts instead of merely ending the argument.
When correcting someone, combine justice, wisdom, and sincere concern for their improvement.
Forgive without excusing wrongdoing; apologize, return what was taken, and learn from mistakes.
Treat elders, family, neighbors, coworkers, and mosque attendees with patience, kindness, honesty, and good manners.
Protect worship, marriages, families, and communities by avoiding zina and environments that normalize prohibited behavior.
Use social media and daily conduct as opportunities to represent Islam well.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 49:9Reconciliation must be carried out with justice and fairness.
Quran 16:125Wisdom and gentle instruction guide how people should be corrected.
Quran 2:237People should not forget the goodness that existed between them, even during divorce.
Quran 3:103Allah’s blessing unites former enemies and makes them brothers.
Quran 3:110The Muslim community should promote good and benefit humanity.
Quran 17:32Avoiding zina includes avoiding the paths and environments leading toward it.
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet’s teaching that actions are judged by intentions grounds the call to sincerity.
Sahih MuslimThe teaching about gentleness explains why wisdom and kindness improve correction.
Sahih al-BukhariThe Banu Mahzum case illustrates that justice cannot depend on status or wealth.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“My only wish, my only desire is to make things right. As much as I'm able to. As much as I can. That's what I want to do.”
“Forgiveness allows us to move beyond the hurt, beyond what we felt. But justice helps us make sure that people's rights are respected.”
“Justice helps you understand and know what needs to be right. But wisdom helps you know how to make it right.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
This khutbah teaches that islah means trying to make things better wherever Allah has placed us. We should not only want patience, forgiveness, honesty, and kindness from others; we should bring those qualities into their lives. Real repair requires justice, wisdom, and sincerity: we protect people’s rights, speak in ways that help, and want good for them rather than simply winning. We can forgive without pretending harm was acceptable, and we should remember people’s goodness while still addressing wrongdoing. The sermon ends by asking us to begin with our own worship and choices so our families, neighbors, and community can experience Islam through the way we live.
- What is one way we can make someone’s life better this week?
- How can we show our faith through our behavior when nobody asks us about Islam?
- What does it look like to forgive someone while still making things right?
Keep listening
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