Show Islam through character and service
“Islam teaches us that actions are more important.”
Islam calls Muslims living among non-Muslims to uphold principles, accept sincere advice, communicate with wisdom and kindness, and demonstrate mercy, justice, and service through their character.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Contrasts principled believers with people driven by worldly self-interest and emphasizes welcoming sincere advice.
- Defends enjoining good and forbidding evil even when others reject correction or respond with hostility.
- Teaches wisdom, humility, kindness, and sometimes silence when advising or confronting others.
- Uses Qur'anic guidance and Prophetic examples to advocate kindness, justice, and dutifulness toward peaceful non-Muslims.
- Illustrates this ethic through hospitality, family obligations, accepting gifts, visiting the sick, restraint in conflict, and helping hungry opponents.
- Applies the message to anti-Muslim stereotyping and civic life, prioritizing justice, religious freedom, service, and character over slogans.
In the khateeb's words
“the best gift is the good advice that's the most valuable gift so they would welcome that”
“when you come across people who don't understand logic you don't waste your time standing there and debating with them the best answer is silence”
“they have something more important than religion which is a humanity they are a human being”
“real American by actions by character not by a slogan we don't believe in slogans Islam teaches us that actions are more important loyalty is more important”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah teaches that a believer should be guided by principles rather than personal desire and should be willing to receive sincere advice. When we advise others, we should use wisdom, kindness, humility, and the right tone; sometimes the most peaceful answer is silence. Islam asks us to treat peaceful non-Muslims as fellow human beings with kindness, dutifulness, justice, and respect. The Prophet Muhammad showed this through hospitality, family care, accepting gifts, visiting the sick, sparing those who had not harmed Muslims, and helping hungry people who had opposed him. We should represent Islam and honor our country through mercy, service, justice, and character, not slogans or flags alone.
- How can we give or receive advice without hurting someone’s feelings?
- When have you seen kindness work better than arguing?
- What is one action that would show care for someone different from us?
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influences
Lowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored