Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 14, 2026.

Follow Abu Dhar in truth and devotion

“The truth left me with no friends.”

The khateeb, at 44:06

In one sentence

Believers can deepen their relationship with the Prophet and Ahlul Bayt by emulating Abu Dhar’s truthful friendship, devotion, disciplined use of time, and steadfastness under oppression.

The khutbah in 4 steps

  1. He recounts Abu Dhar’s conversion, devotion, missionary work, and extraordinary loyalty to Rasulullah.
  2. He describes Abu Dhar’s opposition to injustice, exile, loneliness, and preserved dignity.
  3. He presents Rasulullah’s advice to Abu Dhar about time, sin, prayer, piety, and worldly life.
  4. He applies Abu Dhar’s example to Shia faithfulness and then connects the theme to Ali Akbar and Karbala.
Try this week
Choose friends who increase remembrance of Allah, knowledge, and motivation toward good.
Use time for worship and service before youth, health, free time, and life pass away.
Flee from sin and return quickly to Allah through repentance.
Keep praying and continue knocking on Allah’s door.
Hold firmly to truth and seek guidance from the Ahlul Bayt when available.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 62Recited at the opening to frame Friday prayer, remembrance, and prioritizing worship over commerce.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“what a greater friend to keep than Rasulullah if you're going to establish your religion by using your friends reinforce your values by using your friends what a better friend to have than Rasulullah”
IMCNE · Hopkinton, MA
Play from 29:45
“the truth left me with no friends I told the truth all my life”
IMCNE · Hopkinton, MA
Play from 44:06
“be greedy with your time and not your wealth spend in the sake of Allah right but your time should be the most valuable thing because it's so so limited money will come and go”
IMCNE · Hopkinton, MA
Play from 60:15
“your youth before your old age your health before your sickness your wealth before your poverty your spare time before being busy and your life before your death”
IMCNE · Hopkinton, MA
Play from 60:38
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb taught that Abu Dhar became close to Rasulullah through sincere love, truthfulness, and a willingness to change his life. His story reminds us to choose friends who bring us closer to Allah and to value our limited time more than wealth. We should keep praying, turn back quickly after mistakes, and hold onto truth even when it becomes difficult. Abu Dhar’s exile was painful, but his dignity and bond with Ahlul Bayt remained intact. The sermon also connected this example to Ali Akbar’s resemblance to the Prophet and Imam Husayn’s grief at Karbala.

  1. Which kinds of friends help you remember Allah and become better?
  2. What is one valuable thing you should use well before it changes or disappears?
  3. When is it hard to tell the truth, and what could give you courage?