Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 25, 2026.
The company you keep shapes your fate
“You are going to be upon the religion of your friend and you have to choose your friends wisely.”
In one sentence
The companions you keep shape your religion, manners, and ultimate fate in this life and the hereafter, so you must choose righteous company and guard your children's companionship.
The khutbah in 10 steps
- Opening khutbah praise and standard verses on taqwa
- Hadith of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari: Adam created from a handful of all earth, hence mankind's differing natures
- Hadith: a person is on the religion of his friend, choose friends wisely
- Parable of the musk-seller and the blacksmith: good vs bad company
- Souls are like conscripted armies: like souls gravitate together
- Story of Abu Talib: even the Prophet's uncle was ruined by bad companions on his deathbed
- Quran 4:140: do not sit with those who mock Allah's verses, lest you become like them
- Second half: companions not based on taqwa will be enemies on Judgment Day (Quran 43:67, 25:27)
- Application to children and youth: parents must bring them to the masjid and control their company
- Closing: even the dog of the People of the Cave is remembered for righteous companionship (Surah al-Kahf)
Try this week
Choose your friends deliberately, paying close attention to who you take as a close companion
Avoid keeping as companions those who mock or disregard Allah's verses, including people of kufr, bid'ah, and dunya-obsession
Bring your children to the masjid regularly, especially for the jumu'ah khutbah and prayer
Monitor and control the company your children and youth keep at school and elsewhere
Keep good companions who will defend you in your absence and pray for you after your death
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariArgues you resemble those your soul inclines toward
Quran 4:140Prohibits sitting with those who mock Allah's verses; "innakum idhan mithluhum", you would be just like them
Quran 4:145Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hellfire
Quran 43:67Close friends will be enemies on Judgment Day except the muttaqeen
Quran 18:22The dog of the People of the Cave is remembered till Judgment Day for accompanying the righteous
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“you are going to be upon the religion of your friend and you have to choose your friends wisely”
“but the reality is what? that those who you share companionship will show who you truly are”
“it is your responsibility as a parent to bring your children to the masajid especially for something as great as witnessing the jum'ah khutbah and the prayer”
“imagine beloved brothers and sisters a dog a dog will be remembered till the day of judgment because what he had companionship with the righteous”
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