11:03 don't underestimate a…22:12 words are not just air…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Mar 13, 2026.

Our words shape who we become

Al-Masjid Islamic Center

“Don't underestimate a good kind word to everyone, whether little kid or adult.”

The khateeb, at 11:03

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Our words shape our faith, relationships, reputation, and ultimate destiny, so we should speak kindly and gratefully while avoiding harmful or empty speech.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the power of words through Adam, Bilal ibn Rabah, and the shahadah.
  2. Explains that a single good word can raise a person in Paradise and compares it to a fruitful tree.
  3. Applies kind speech to children, parents, spouses, and even difficult people.
  4. Warns against backbiting, slander, and tale-bearing as destructive speech that can ruin good deeds.
  5. Shows how spoken words shape identity and destiny, then urges gratitude for ordinary blessings.
  6. Contrasts the regretful words of the condemned with believers’ hoped-for reception of Allah’s pleasure in Paradise.
Try this week
Speak one sincere, specific word of encouragement to someone each day.
Use gentle, reassuring words with children, parents, spouses, and people who disagree with you.
Avoid backbiting, slander, and carrying stories between people.
Notice ordinary blessings and regularly express gratitude to Allah.
Before speaking, consider whether your words are beneficial, harmful, or empty.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 14Uses the good word as a firmly rooted, fruitful tree and connects gratitude with increase.
Surah 17Commands kindness and respectful speech toward parents.
Surah 31Says to remain good companions to parents even when not obeying them in shirk.
Surah 20Commands Musa and Harun to speak gently to Pharaoh.
Surah 28Uses Qarun’s wealth claim and downfall as a warning against pride.
Surah 23Uses the condemned person’s plea for another chance as an example of regretful words.
Surah 56Describes the peaceful speech heard by the people of Paradise.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“don't underestimate a good kind word to everyone whether little kid or adult”
Al-Masjid Islamic Center · Greenville, NC
Play from 11:03
“words are not just air it has weight it determines it shapes your reputation it determines your identity”
Al-Masjid Islamic Center · Greenville, NC
Play from 22:12
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that our words are never weightless: they can lift people, shape our reputation, and affect our final destiny. We should make kindness part of everyday speech, especially with children, parents, spouses, and even people who oppose us. We should avoid backbiting, slander, and carrying tales, because harmful speech can destroy our good deeds. We should also practice gratitude and notice ordinary blessings before regret arrives. The goal is to live so that, in the Hereafter, we receive Allah’s pleasure rather than wish for another chance.

  1. What is one kind sentence someone said to you that you still remember?
  2. How can we stop a conversation from becoming gossip?
  3. What ordinary blessing are you grateful for today?
Where it was given

The masjid

Al-Masjid Islamic Center Greenville1303 South Evans Street, Greenville, NC 27834ArchiveAll khutbahs at Al-Masjid Islamic Center40 khutbahs
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