Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 3, 2026.

Ego is an idol that divides us

“The only reason we are something is by the grace of Allah.”

The khateeb, at 26:36

In one sentence

Ego is an inner idol that grows from self-superiority into rejection of truth and communal division, so believers must dismantle it through humility, service, worship, and putting Allah and the ummah first.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Turns listeners inward, asking them to examine themselves before blaming others.
  2. Defines ego as an inner idol with four faces: arrogance, self-fascination, showing off, and desire.
  3. Uses Iblis, Qarun, Nimrod, Fir'aun, and Quraysh to show how ego rejects truth and ends in humiliation.
  4. Contrasts those examples with the Prophet's humility, kindness, family life, and peacemaking.
  5. Shows how ego can divide the ummah, then highlights Hudaybiyah as an example of compromising for a greater good.
  6. Prescribes humility through dependence on Allah, accepting truth, doing chores, serving, prioritizing community, and practicing the pillars.
Try this week
Examine your own ego instead of judging friends, family, or the community.
Accept truth from anyone, including someone younger.
Do household chores and work you consider beneath you.
Serve others solely for Allah's sake.
Put the community's good before your personal opinion.
Follow the five pillars as practices that cultivate surrender, consciousness, discipline, detachment, and patience.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet identifies showing off, or riya, as the lesser shirk he feared for the community.
Sahih MuslimUrges listeners to treat fellow Muslims with exceptional care and avoid harming them.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Before we blame shaytan, before we blame our enemies, within ourselves, we ask Allah azawajal protection from the evil within ourselves.”
Al-Masjid Islamic Center · Greenville, NC
Play from 3:41
“The only reason we are something is by the grace of Allah.”
Al-Masjid Islamic Center · Greenville, NC
Play from 26:36
“No matter what your opinion is, if you think the community's good can be made without it, don't hold back.”
Al-Masjid Islamic Center · Greenville, NC
Play from 28:00