Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 25, 2026.
Humility begins with saying sorry first
ISCJ · Shomail Malik
“If there is disharmony, if the relationship has been knocked off of equilibrium, then be the first person to say sorry.”
In one sentence
Arrogance and entitlement are hidden diseases of the heart, not mere personality flaws, that Muslims must constantly self-diagnose and combat by imitating the Prophet's humility.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Opening praise, Quranic taqwa verses, and reminder that every word is recorded by angels
- World Cup analogy: an entitled team's arrogance and humiliating exit as a mirror for life
- Luqman's advice to his son against walking arrogantly; NBA example of a likable figure turning villain
- Arrogance defined as a disease of the heart; hadith that a mustard seed of kibr bars entry to Paradise
- Humility in the home: Ibn Qudamah on men serving in the house; the Prophet mending shoes and gathering firewood
- Arrogance as the root of wars (Iran), family conflict, and Iblis's fall; call to constant self-diagnosis
- Three action items: be first to give salam, first to say sorry, first to serve; closing dua for the oppressed
Try this week
Be the first person to give salam to believers, colleagues, and family, rather than waiting for others to come to you
Be the first person to say sorry when a relationship is off balance, regardless of who was right, and teach your children to do the same
Be the first to serve: look for tasks no one else is doing, carrying heavy items, setting up chairs, cleaning bathrooms
Do your own chores at home instead of ordering family members around, following the Prophet's example of mending his own shoes
Constantly self-diagnose your heart for arrogance, especially if you are a regular at the masjid comparing yourself to less-practicing family members
Make dua for oppressed Muslims in Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 31:18Quoted in Arabic and translated, do not turn your cheek boastfully or walk arrogantly; Allah does not love the boastful, as the core proof-text against arrogance
Sahih MuslimUsed to argue that even a trace of hidden kibr in the heart bars entry to Paradise, making arrogance spiritually lethal
Quran 3:102Standard taqwa verses recited in Arabic at the opening to frame the sermon
Quran 4:1Standard taqwa verses recited in Arabic at the opening to frame the sermon
Quran 9:119Standard taqwa verses recited in Arabic at the opening to frame the sermon
Quran 33:70-71Standard taqwa verses recited in Arabic at the opening to frame the sermon
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“That whoever has even a mustard's, you know, mustard seeds, weight of arrogance in their heart,”
“And they live with it just as if somebody has cancer, and it's taking over your body cell by cell by cell.”
“But if, you know, you look at a situation like that, pride always comes before the fall.”
“If there is disharmony, if the relationship has been knocked off of equilibrium, then be the first person to say sorry.”
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