Our gestures reveal the heart
“Non-verbal communication could earn us good deeds or bad deeds.”
Our non-verbal communication reveals the heart, affects others, and should be deliberately shaped as an act of obedience to Allah.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Defines words, vocal tone, and body language as three daily communication channels.
- Explores Quranic examples involving faces, eyes, hands, feet, fingers, and walking.
- Highlights bowing, prostration, smiling, and prophetic warnings about harmful gestures.
- Applies the lesson to silence during arguments, emails, and text messages.
- Calls for five minutes of daily silence, more voluntary worship, and mindful conduct during the first ten days of al-Hijjah.
- Closes with prayers for Muslims facing hardship in Palestine and Lebanon.
In the khateeb's words
“Non-verbal communication Could earn us good deeds Or bad deeds Could convey what we feel Inside our hearts As humble servants Of Allah Or as arrogant”
“The messenger of Allah Was more silent Than he was talking Silence Is an act Of ibadah”
“The call to action For you and me Is starting today Inshallah To practice silence Five minutes a day”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminded us that we communicate through our faces, gestures, tone of voice, and actions as well as our words. The khateeb encouraged us to be mindful of these messages, because a smile can welcome someone and a mocking gesture can hurt them. He also described bowing and prostrating in prayer as beautiful ways to express our devotion to Allah. When disagreements happen, he urged us to practice silence instead of always trying to have the last word. As the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah approach, he encouraged extra voluntary worship and offered a simple daily practice: five quiet minutes without phones or television.
- How could you help someone feel welcome without saying anything?
- When you want the last word, what could help you pause?
- When could our family try five quiet minutes without screens?
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