Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 7, 2026.

Your words must protect human dignity

“You do not have the right to violate another person.”

The khateeb, at 13:28

In one sentence

Because Allah has honored every human being, Muslims must protect one another’s dignity by controlling their speech, avoiding gossip and harm, and building trustworthy relationships.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Gives thanks for Islam and guidance as a tremendous blessing.
  2. Uses Surah al-Isra to establish that Allah honored every human being and made dignity sacred.
  3. Explains the hadith about feeding others, greeting everyone, and keeping Muslims safe from tongue and hand.
  4. Applies this principle to harsh speech, mockery, name-calling, backbiting, slander, gossip, and social-media commentary.
  5. Connects careless words to recorded deeds, broken trust, fragmented communities, and weakened brotherhood.
  6. Calls listeners to self-accounting, direct conflict resolution, leaving harmful conversations, controlling the tongue, and seeking Allah’s help.
Try this week
Greet people you know and people you do not know, returning greetings better or at least equivalently.
Avoid harshness, mockery, demeaning speech, name-calling, and personal jokes.
Do not pass along unverified information or discuss someone’s private business, even when true.
Take inventory of your speech after conversations and call yourself to account daily.
Address grievances directly with the person involved instead of involving uninformed third parties.
Leave conversations involving backbiting, slander, or gossip, and advise the speaker when possible.
Avoid consuming or engaging with backbiting and slander on social media.
Ask Allah to purify your tongue, hands, and heart.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 17Used to establish that Allah honored the children of Adam and records each person’s deeds.
Surah 99Used to stress that even the smallest good or evil deed is recorded.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You do not have the right To violate another person Period”
Quba Institute · Philadelphia, PA
Play from 13:28
“if you are in the presence of backbiting slander gossip remove yourself because if you do not remove yourself you are as guilty as the person who is uttering the words”
Quba Institute · Philadelphia, PA
Play from 49:30
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminded us that Allah has honored every child of Adam, so every person’s dignity deserves protection. A Muslim should bring safety through both words and actions, whether people are present or absent. Mockery, backbiting, gossip, slander, and careless online comments can destroy trust, relationships, and community unity. We should regularly review our conversations, address disagreements directly, and leave gatherings where harmful speech continues. Because Allah mercifully covers our faults, we should ask Him to purify our tongues and help us become sources of goodness, mercy, and safety.

  1. What could you say or do if friends begin making fun of someone?
  2. When have someone’s kind words made you feel safe and respected?
  3. What is one habit that could help you use social media more carefully?