4:35 Islam is not only what…10:04 If you have nothing…11:33 build brotherhood and…23:48 Carry the bag for…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 10, 2025.

Faith is perfected through everyday character

IIT · Ahmad Kutty

“Islam is not only what we perform. It is who we become.”

The khateeb, at 4:35

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Islamic faith is perfected through prophetic character, gentleness, inclusive brotherhood, self-control, and everyday service, practiced with mindfulness of Allah in every setting.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The khutbah frames gratitude and mindfulness of Allah as daily foundations of faith.
  2. It defines akhlaq as the moral character that determines whether individuals and nations flourish.
  3. It presents prophetic examples of gentleness, mercy, and attention to vulnerable people.
  4. It gives practical guidance on guarding speech, pausing before posting, and offering sincere praise.
  5. It calls Muslims to build brotherhood across ethnic, racial, and national divisions.
  6. It teaches anger control, constructive response to criticism, daily service, and inclusive Islamic manners.
Try this week
Begin each day by counting Allah’s blessings.
Before speaking, posting, or texting, pause three seconds and ask whether it is cruel, kind, and necessary.
Say something good about someone behind their back once this week.
Greet unfamiliar people in the masjid and include isolated classmates or quiet people.
When angry, say “A'udhu Billah,” breathe, change posture, make wudu if needed, and pray for guidance.
Thank someone who criticizes you and identify one improvement to work on this week.
Perform small acts of service such as carrying groceries, holding doors, removing litter, or tutoring a child.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Islam is not only what we perform. It is who we become.”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 4:35
“If you have nothing good to say... If she has nothing good to say, then observe silence.”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 10:04
“build brotherhood and sisterhood across lines. Across lines. Not just your club, your ethnic group, or racial group”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 11:33
“Carry the bag for someone. You see somebody in the grocery store. This old lady, old man is struggling.”
IIT · Malvern, ON
Play from 23:48
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

This khutbah teaches that Islam is not only a list of rituals; it shapes who we become. The Prophet’s example calls us to be gentle, control our anger, speak good words, and treat every person with dignity. We should build friendship across ethnic and social lines, greet people outside our usual circle, and notice those who are overlooked. Small acts, carrying a bag, opening a door, removing litter, or helping someone, can be acts of charity. This week, we can choose one habit of kindness and practice it for Allah’s sake.

  1. What is one kind sentence you could say or text today?
  2. Who might feel left out, and how could we welcome them?
  3. What small helpful action could we do for someone this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Institute of Toronto1630 Neilson Rd, Scarborough, ON M1X 1S3Jumu'ah 1:00 PM · in-person and live onlineKhateebAhmad KuttyMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IIT44 khutbahs
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