10:38 You might hate…42:58 You should have a few…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, May 8, 2026.

Test your feelings against Allah's guidance

Waritheen

“You might hate something, but it's actually good for you.”

The khateeb, at 10:38

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because emotions can mislead us, Muslims should cultivate humble self-awareness by testing their feelings against Allah's guidance, worship, honest feedback, and righteous company.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces the Baqarah teaching that people may dislike what benefits them and love what harms them.
  2. Urges self-awareness by examining feelings about prayer, fasting, zakat, and Allah's name.
  3. Explains that inward belief must precede outward deeds and that worship should coexist with worldly responsibilities.
  4. Warns against loving to be right, resisting correction, and developing a hard, unempathetic heart.
  5. Connects emotional blind spots to rationalizing wrongdoing and urges testing feelings against the Quran and Sunnah.
  6. Recommends obedience, reflective prayer, good company, and honest feedback from family and close believers.
Try this week
When a feeling resists an obligation or correction, pause and test it against the Quran and Sunnah.
Slow down in prayer, reflect on the recitation, and learn new surahs or deepen understanding of memorized ones.
Ask a spouse, family member, or close believing friend for three specific ways to improve this year.
Obey Allah and follow the Prophet's Sunnah while maintaining work, family care, and other worldly responsibilities.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Used to argue that people may dislike what benefits them and love what harms them because Allah knows what they do not.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You might hate something, but it's actually good for you. In an ideal state, right? And by ideal state, I mean, you know, you've reached the potential that Allah has intended for you.”
Waritheen · East Oakland · 47th Avenue, CA
Play from 10:38
“You should have a few close friends that will tell you about yourself. So that you can improve.”
Waritheen · East Oakland · 47th Avenue, CA
Play from 42:58
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us that our feelings deserve attention, but they do not always show us what is best. Something good, like getting up for prayer when we are tired, can feel difficult and still help us grow closer to Allah. The khateeb encouraged us to slow down in prayer, reflect on what we recite, and let belief shape our everyday actions. He also asked us to celebrate other people’s success and notice when our desire to be right makes correction hard to accept. By seeking honest feedback from loved ones and keeping good company, we can understand ourselves better and put our trust in Allah’s guidance.

  1. What is something good that feels hard to do, and what helps you do it?
  2. How could you celebrate a friend’s success this week?
  3. What helps you listen when someone kindly points out a mistake?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjidul Waritheen1700 47th Ave, Oakland, CA 94601ArchiveAll khutbahs at Waritheen44 khutbahs
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