Kindness starts with self care and small acts
“True, beautiful kindness is small, like giving a genuine compliment, smiling, lending a pencil to someone, or even holding the door open.”
True kindness begins with caring for oneself, grows through small acts toward others, and expresses Muslim worship.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Defines kindness as beginning with self-care and self-love.
- Presents spiritual kindness through the Qur'an as healing and mercy.
- Explains that kindness toward others usually means small everyday gestures.
- Describes kindness's benefits for happiness, health, self-esteem, and community.
- Frames kindness as worship and a way to follow the Sunnah.
In the khateeb's words
“Being kind to yourself doesn't mean you're being confident or you have your whole life figured out. Kindness just means you're taking a break for yourself.”
“true, beautiful kindness is small, like giving a genuine compliment, smiling, lending a pencil to someone, or even holding the door open.”
“So kindness isn't just something nice to do. It's a way of spreading light in a world that desperately needs it.”
For the dinner table
This khutbah reminds us that kindness begins with how we care for ourselves. Taking a break, reading a book, going for a walk, or pausing to breathe can give us a moment of care. The speaker also encourages us to draw closer to Allah and describes the Qur'an as a source of healing and mercy. Kindness toward others can be as simple as a genuine compliment, a smile, or lending a pencil, and those small actions can brighten someone's day and encourage more kindness. As Muslims, kindness is also an act of worship and a way to follow the Prophet's example while bringing peace to ourselves and others.
- What is one kind thing you could do for yourself when you feel overwhelmed?
- Who showed you a small kindness this week, and how did it make you feel?
- What small act of kindness could our family try tomorrow?
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