Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Choose righteous company carefully
“We should be very, very careful who we choose as our companions.”
In one sentence
Because people are deeply shaped by their companions, Muslims should deliberately seek righteous company, avoid harmful close associations, and judge others cautiously by outward conduct while leaving hearts to Allah.
The khutbah in 4 steps
- The perfume seller and blacksmith analogy illustrates the beneficial or harmful effects of companionship.
- Solitude is preferable to evil company, though righteous community is generally better than isolation.
- Close companions influence religious character, so believers should seek people of iman and taqwa.
- Listeners should assess apparent conduct according to Allah’s commands and the Sunnah without judging people’s inner reality.
Try this week
Choose close companions who are believers and apparently careful about Allah’s commands and the Prophet’s Sunnah.
Prefer righteous company over isolation; if the only alternative is harmful company, choose solitude.
Choose people of taqwa for close fellowship and shared meals.
Assess people by their apparent conduct without declaring anyone definitively righteous or destined for Jahannam.
Leave judgment of people’s inner reality to Allah.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“So this is why we should be very, very careful who we associate with. We should be very, very careful who we choose as our companions.”
“In spite of that, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has told us, that solitude is better than evil company.”
“if we see someone who is apparently living their life in accordance to the shari'ah in accordance to the laws of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in accordance to the sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Our friends and close companions can shape the way we think, speak, and practice our faith. The khutbah teaches us to seek people who help us remember Allah and follow the Prophet’s Sunnah. If our choices are between harmful company and being alone, safe solitude is better, though wholesome community is generally best. We should assess people by what is visible without judging their hearts, because Allah alone knows their inner reality.
- Who is someone whose good character helps you become better?
- What positive or negative “effect” might we carry away from time with different friends?
- How can we avoid judging someone’s heart while still choosing good companions?
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