Seeking knowledgeFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 18, 2026.
Verify what you hear before judging
“Do not allow repetition to replace evidence.”
In one sentence
Islam requires believers to see the world truthfully by verifying information, practicing justice, examining themselves, listening for truth, rejecting dehumanization, and confronting oppression with wisdom and mercy.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Establishes truthful perception as a believer’s responsibility and warns that repeated stories can replace evidence.
- Uses Quran and hadith to require verification before believing, judging, commenting, or forwarding information.
- Develops justice beyond group loyalty, including fairness toward enemies and self-criticism of personal double standards.
- Urges listeners to ask whether they may be wrong and accept truth regardless of its source.
- Rejects “us versus them,” dehumanization, and religious insults, calling for gentle and wise speech.
- Explains that restraining an oppressor helps prevent further oppression and urges perspective-taking before judgment.
- Calls Muslims to change themselves and embody truth, dignity, mercy, and justice.
Try this week
Verify information before believing, repeating, commenting on, or forwarding it.
Review your actions each night and resolve not to repeat harmful mistakes.
Ask, “What if I am wrong?” when angry or arguing.
Listen for truth even when it comes from someone you dislike.
Consider other people’s histories and perspectives before judging or gossiping about them.
Speak gently and debate respectfully, including with people of other faiths.
Restrain people from committing oppression while protecting those being harmed.
Begin reform by examining your own anger, prejudice, greed, and treatment of others.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 49:6Used to command verification of news before harming others or regretting a judgment.
Sahih MuslimUsed to warn that repeating everything one hears is sufficient falsehood.
Quran 17:36Used to emphasize accountability for hearing, seeing, believing, and repeating without knowledge.
Surah 4Used to teach justice even when the decision harms oneself, family, or disliked people.
Quran 75:14-15Used to support nightly self-examination and awareness of one's own actions.
Quran 39:18Used to encourage listening to claims and following what is best and true.
Quran 49:13Used to reject simplistic divisions and identify righteousness as the true measure of honor.
Sahih MuslimUsed to explain that restraining an oppressor helps save the oppressor from further wrongdoing.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Do not allow repetition to replace evidence Do not allow prejudice to replace justice And do not allow hatred to prevent you from seeing the truth”
“A person of wisdom Does not ask Only who said this He also asks Is that true?”
“Before demanding justice from everyone else We need to ask whether I am just to my family Whether I am just to my parents Whether I am just to my employees Whether I am just to my neighbors”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us that Allah wants us to be people of truth and justice. Hearing a story many times does not make it true, so we should check it before believing it or passing it on. We should be fair even to people we dislike, listen when they speak the truth, and examine our own mistakes instead of always excusing them. The khateeb reminded us that every person has dignity and that even Pharaon was to be addressed gently. As a family, we can practice these teachings by speaking kindly, stopping harm, and asking how we need to change ourselves.
- If a friend shares a surprising story about someone at school, what could you do before repeating it?
- When have you learned something true or helpful from someone you disagreed with?
- How could you help a friend stop doing something hurtful while still speaking kindly?
Keep listening
More on Seeking knowledge
IMAN Center · Kirkland, WA · Sep 19, 2026Knowledge matters only when it changes us“Sometimes the problem is knowledge without action.”
Daar-Ul-Islam · Ballwin, MO · Oct 3, 2026The first revelation calls us to learn and serve“Before any type of great transformation occurs outwardly, there must be deep reflection inwardly.”
CCIL-KBW · Laval, QC · Sep 26, 2026Protect your heart from information overload“Faire confiance à Allah ne signifie pas rester sans rien faire.”