24:06 Would I be okay if…29:59 as we want others to…31:37 the lowest level is…34:57 the human being must…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Treat others as you wish to be treated

ICSC · Asim Buyuksoy

“As we want others to respect our life and dignity, so we must respect and protect the life and dignity of others.”

The khateeb, at 29:59

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Faithful reciprocity requires treating every person with love, dignity, compassion, and empathy, progressing from responding to expressed needs toward selfless service.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the Golden Rule as a universal ethical principle shared across religions and philosophies.
  2. Connects reciprocity to faith through prophetic teachings about loving for others what one loves for oneself.
  3. Extends the principle to neighbors, families, communities, and people of every background.
  4. Explains three levels of care: responding when asked, noticing unspoken needs, and prioritizing others despite personal deprivation.
  5. Uses the Muhajirun and Ansar as an example of selflessness and links good character to the sweetness of faith.
  6. Calls listeners to begin with themselves, practice compassionate speech and conduct, and apply the principle daily.
Try this week
Before speaking or acting, ask whether you would accept the same treatment from someone else.
Respect and protect other people’s life, dignity, and freedoms of religion, thought, and expression.
Begin at home by showing love and care to spouses, children, and parents.
Notice people’s needs before they ask, fulfill them graciously, and prioritize others when possible.
Speak goodness or remain silent, while extending kindness to neighbors and people of every background.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 59Presented the Ansar preferring the Muhajirun over themselves as the highest level of generosity.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Would I be okay if someone else say or do this to me?”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 24:06
“as we want others to respect our life and dignity so we must respect and protect the life and dignity of others”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 29:59
“the lowest level is being aware of the needs of others when they ask and responding them in a welcoming and a positive manner with a pleasant face”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 31:37
“the human being must not deal with people except in a way that he would love to be treated by them”
ICSC · Koreatown, CA
Play from 34:57
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that faith should shape how we treat every person. We should wish for others what we wish for ourselves, beginning with our families and neighbors. The speaker described growing in kindness by responding warmly when people ask, noticing needs before they are spoken, and sometimes putting others first. We were also reminded to protect people’s dignity and to speak goodness or remain silent. A good place to begin is with one thoughtful act at home this week.

  1. How could we notice someone’s need before they ask for help?
  2. What does putting another person first look like in our family?
  3. When is it better to speak goodness, and when should we remain silent?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Southern California434 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020Jumu'ah Qur’an recitation 12:45 PM · Khutbah 1:00 PM · prayer 1:30 PMKhateebAsim BuyuksoyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICSC71 khutbahs
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