18:28 The more pure your…22:12 How you treat yourself…40:31 Free yourself from ill…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 18, 2026.

Assume the best of others

Dar Al-Taqwa · Ehab Hassan

“Free yourself from ill feelings that you have towards others and give people the benefit of the doubt.”

The khateeb, at 40:31

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Cultivating husn al-dhan, good assumptions about Allah, others, and ourselves, purifies the heart and strengthens relationships and community life.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces husn al-dhan as a positive outlook toward Allah, others, and oneself.
  2. Explains how assumptions about Allah and personal purity shape how people view others.
  3. Uses the incident of the ifq and Qur’anic principles to connect self-respect with charitable interpretations.
  4. Applies the lesson to masjid leadership, family relationships, social media, and avoiding suspicion.
  5. Uses stories involving Isa, Umar, Imam Abu Hanifa, and past friendships to illustrate giving people excuses.
  6. Closes with a weekend action: reconsider broken relationships, release ill feelings, and assume the best.
Try this week
Give people the benefit of the doubt and search for a positive explanation when their words or actions seem ambiguous.
Advise and support masjid workers while assuming good intentions, then allow them room to work.
When someone hurts or upsets you, imagine what stress or difficulty might explain their behavior.
Avoid spying, investigating people’s faults, or exposing their mistakes.
With children, communicate high expectations and trust rather than constant accusation.
This weekend, reflect on broken relationships and consider a sincere, charitable explanation for the other person.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The more pure your heart is, the more purely you think of others, of other people.”
Dar Al-Taqwa · Ellicott City, MD
Play from 18:28
“How you treat yourself is how you treat others.”
Dar Al-Taqwa · Ellicott City, MD
Play from 22:12
“Free yourself from ill feelings that you have towards others and give people the benefit of the doubt.”
Dar Al-Taqwa · Ellicott City, MD
Play from 40:31
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah was about husn al-dhan: having good hopes in Allah and thinking well of other people and ourselves. The khateeb reminded us that we often make excuses for our own mistakes, and we should offer others that same kindness. His stories showed how seeing only part of a situation can lead us to an unfair conclusion. He explained that we can respond to wrong actions without assuming we know someone's intentions, and encouraged parents to let their children know they expect good from them. This weekend, we can think about a strained relationship, consider what we may not know, and make room in our hearts for a kinder understanding.

  1. When someone's words upset you, what could you ask before deciding what they meant?
  2. What helps you feel that our family trusts you and sees the good in you?
  3. What could you say when friends start putting someone else down?
Where it was given

The masjid

Dar Al-Taqwa10740 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042Jumu'ah First khutbah 1:00 PM and iqamah 1:30 PM; second khutbah 2:15 PM and iqamah 2:45 PMKhateebEhab HassanMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Dar Al-Taqwa25 khutbahs
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