5:53 80% of success is how…21:49 Make your kids do…
Youth & educationFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 10, 2026.

Children need social intelligence, not just grades

MakeSpace
Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Muslims should revive the Quranic and Prophetic ethos of eloquent, adaptive, relational speech while deliberately building young people's social intelligence through intergenerational engagement and practical training.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Defines Islam's ethos as ethics, values, and worldview beyond legal rules.
  2. Argues that language and eloquent speech are divine gifts emphasized throughout the Quran.
  3. Presents the Prophet's clear, adaptive, physically attentive communication as a sunnah.
  4. Diagnoses technology-driven isolation and weak social intelligence among today's youth.
  5. Urges parents to develop children's social IQ through debate, mock trial, Model UN, and intergenerational relationships.
  6. Closes by calling for communal revival and promoting a Career Accelerator Program.
Try this week
Have children participate in debate.
Enroll children in mock trial or Model UN.
Prioritize social intelligence alongside academic achievement.
Give children regular opportunities to speak with people from older generations.
Expose children to people from different backgrounds, cultures, and industries.
Consider the Career Accelerator Program and its communication, negotiation, interviewing, and LinkedIn training.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 30Used to present linguistic diversity as one of Allah's signs.
Surah 55Used to emphasize that Allah taught humanity eloquent speech.
Surah 14Used to argue that messengers communicate in the language of their people.
Surah 16Used to command wisdom and beautiful exhortation when inviting others to Allah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“80% of success is how you work with others. It's not your skills. It's not the degrees. It's not actually your history or your family.”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 5:53
“Make your kids do debate. If you have not done debate, make them all do debate. Make them all do mock trial. Make them all do Model UN.”
MakeSpace · Franconia, VA
Play from 21:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Islam teaches values and character as well as rules, and that the way we speak is part of living those values. He described the Prophet’s clear speech and the care he showed by turning toward people and speaking to children at their eye level. He encouraged parents to help children build social intelligence: learning to communicate, connect with different people, and grow in confidence. He shared how much it meant to him as a teenager when an older scholar spoke to him like an equal. As a family, we can practice giving each other our attention, taking young people’s ideas seriously, and making room for conversations across generations.

  1. What does someone do in a conversation that makes you feel heard?
  2. What would you like to ask someone from a different generation?
  3. Where would you like to feel more confident speaking, and how could we help you practice?
Where it was given

The masjid

MakeSpace6142 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310Jumu'ah 12:30 PM at MakeSpaceArchiveAll khutbahs at MakeSpace46 khutbahs
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