6:50 So it's very important…7:58 It's a deen. It's not…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 22, 2026.

Choose company that strengthens your faith

London Muslim Mosque

“It's very important that you place yourself in the right time, in the right place, with the right company, doing the right things.”

The khateeb, at 6:50

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because companionship shapes a person's faith, Muslims should deliberately choose environments, friends, gatherings, and spouses that draw them toward Allah.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Introduces the hadith comparing good company to a perfume seller and bad company to a blacksmith, clarifying that it does not demean occupations.
  2. Uses leather made into shoes or a Qur'an cover to illustrate how association can bring humiliation or honor.
  3. Urges choosing the right time, place, actions, and people, supported by Qur'anic and hadith-based guidance.
  4. Explains that one's environment affects iman, including the spiritual influence of a future spouse.
  5. Encourages seeking people who remind one of Allah and good gatherings that lead toward Jannah.
Try this week
Audit your closest companions and surroundings for whether they strengthen or weaken your iman.
Seek regular company with pious, knowledgeable people and beneficial gatherings or halaqas.
Leave or avoid gatherings that mock Allah's signs until the conversation changes.
Consider carefully how a prospective spouse may shape your spiritual environment.
Adjust your environment so that it consistently leads you closer to Allah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariThe perfume-seller and blacksmith analogy was used to show how good and bad company affect a person.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“So it's very important that you place yourself in the right time, in the right place, with the right company, doing the right things.”
London Muslim Mosque · London, ON
Play from 6:50
“It's a deen. It's not only just, you know, a company or, you know what, just friends. No, it's a deen.”
London Muslim Mosque · London, ON
Play from 7:58
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today the khateeb told us about a hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him. He said a good friend is like a perfume seller: you might get some perfume as a gift, buy some, or at least enjoy the nice smell. A bad friend is like a blacksmith's fire, which might burn your clothes or leave you smelling smoke. He gave the example of one piece of leather: the part made into a shoe gets kicked around, but the part that covers the Qur'an gets kissed and held close, all because of what it is next to. He reminded us that the people we spend time with, including our husbands and wives one day, can affect our iman and can help us toward Jannah or away from it. So let's try to stay close to people who remind us of Allah, and try to be that kind of person for others too.

  1. Who is a 'perfume seller' friend in your life, someone who makes you better just by being around them?
  2. If the same leather can be a shoe or a Qur'an cover, what do you want to be 'attached to' this week?
  3. What is one thing you can do so that your friends think of something good when they see you?
Where it was given

The masjid

London Muslim Mosque151 Oxford St W, London, ON N6H 1S3Jumu'ah First prayer 12:00 PM · second prayer 1:15 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at London Muslim Mosque193 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Character & conduct

All on this topic
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harmPeer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influencesLowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored