Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 21, 2026.

Good character leads believers toward Paradise

“If it is not needed, don't say it.”

The khateeb, at 9:30

In one sentence

Paradise-oriented believers should cultivate a cheerful face, gentle speech, merciful heart, and giving hand, while pairing worship with ethical treatment of people and disciplined choices.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces a narration identifying four signs of people destined for Paradise.
  2. Explains a cheerful, welcoming face as a source of hope for others.
  3. Urges gentle, necessary, truthful speech and avoidance of gossip, backbiting, and hurtful words.
  4. Develops mercy toward people and creation, then generosity with money, knowledge, ease, and happiness.
  5. Connects worship to fulfilling people's rights and showing Ahl al-Bayt values through character.
  6. Urges listeners to protect their dignity, choose uplifting environments, and value Paradise above worldly pursuits.
Try this week
Keep a cheerful, welcoming face even during personal difficulties.
Check whether words are needed, true, and helpful before speaking.
Do not gossip, backbite, or spread private information.
Show mercy to people and avoid harming even small creatures.
Give what you can, money, knowledge, ease, happiness, or a smile.
Watch what you see, hear, say, and whom you speak with; choose places that protect your faith and dignity.
Maintain obligatory worship while also fulfilling the rights of family, relatives, and community members.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“whatever I am going to say, is it needed, is it necessary, is it right, is it true and even if it is true, if it is not needed, don't say it.”
Al-Fatemah · Albany, NY
Play from 9:30
“But the wounds caused by words, they take forever, forever, years and years.”
Al-Fatemah · Albany, NY
Play from 10:43
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that people headed toward Paradise show four qualities: a cheerful face, gentle speech, a merciful heart, and a giving hand. Worship matters, but it must be joined to good treatment of parents, family, relatives, and community. We should watch what we see, hear, say, and the places we choose, remembering that our dignity is worth more than worldly distractions. Giving does not only mean money; we can also give knowledge, comfort, happiness, time, and smiles. This week, our family can practice these qualities through one kind word, one merciful action, and one generous gift.

  1. Who could use a kind word or smile from us this week?
  2. What is one thing you can give that is not money?
  3. How can we choose places and friendships that help us remember our value?