Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 17, 2026.

Arrogance rejects truth and belittles people

“We belong to God and truly we shall return back to Him.”

The khateeb, at 11:19

In one sentence

Arrogance is not owning beautiful or abundant things but rejecting truth and looking down on people, so believers should cultivate humility, gratitude, respectful speech, and competition in worship.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Opens with repentance, God-consciousness, and submission to Allah in life and death.
  2. Introduces a hadith contrasting a mustard seed of arrogance with a mustard seed of faith.
  3. Clarifies arrogance as rejecting manifested truth and treating people as inferior, not enjoying beauty or possessions.
  4. Applies the warning to status, expertise, wealth, greetings, classrooms, workplaces, and family speech.
  5. Prescribes humility, gratitude, respectful language, dua for others, and recognizing blessings as tests from Allah.
  6. Encourages competing in prayer, fasting, service, and problem-solving that bring believers closer to Allah, then closes with supplication.
Try this week
Say salam first and welcome people respectfully rather than waiting for status-based deference.
When feelings of superiority arise, recognize the blessing as from Allah and say la hawla wa la quwata and istighfar.
Make dua for people who seem to be struggling or lack a blessing you possess.
Guard the tongue, especially with children, students, relatives, and guests, avoiding humiliating comparisons or hurtful comments.
Compete in deeds that bring you closer to Allah, such as night prayer, fasting Mondays and Thursdays, helping people, and solving problems.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“if it sounded like arrogance, it is arrogance. If it sounds like it, it is arrogance.”
ISCJ · Monmouth Junction, NJ
Play from 10:08
“None of it is ours. And that's what we say, inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajeun. Why? We belong to God and truly we shall return back to Him.”
ISCJ · Monmouth Junction, NJ
Play from 11:19
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that arrogance is not simply having nice clothes, money, or success. It is refusing truth and treating other people as beneath us. Since every blessing comes from Allah and can also be a test, we should greet others first, guard our words, thank Allah, and pray for people who are struggling. We can replace hurtful comparisons with kindness and respect. The best competition is to grow closer to Allah through prayer, fasting, service, and helping solve problems.

  1. When is it hard to admit that someone else is right?
  2. What blessing can you thank Allah for today?
  3. How can we encourage someone who is struggling?