Good friends shape your character and faith
“Make good friends. Your friends will either make you or they'll break you.”
The people we befriend shape our character and faith, so Muslims should choose ethical companions, cultivate genuine friendships with their children, and value relationships that help everyone reform.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah opens with first-day-of-school advice: make good friends because friends can build or break you.
- Quranic examples show prophets seeking supportive companions and warn that friendships without God-consciousness can become enmity.
- The speaker distinguishes genuine piety and character from outward religiosity, using examples from the Sahaba.
- Stories of Salman, Abu Hudayfa, Salim, Umar, and Ali illustrate friendship as loyalty, support, and shared sacrifice.
- Parents are urged to become trusted friends to their children, with Maryam and Isa presented as a Quranic example.
- The khutbah closes by urging listeners to leave corrupting friendships, appreciate departing friends, and value their imams.
In the khateeb's words
“Make good friends, your friends will either make you or they'll break you.”
“But in terms of their attitude, their ethics, their morals, they're at par. And those are people who you need to seek.”
“You need to be a friend to your child. They should be able to talk to you about everything.”
“And you need to have the guts if you have bad friends to say bye-bye. Al-wada'a. Sayonara. Finish.”
For the dinner table
Our friends shape the way we think, behave, and practice our faith, so we should look for people with good character and ethics. The khutbah reminds us that friendship means genuine care, trust, and support. Parents should also be friends with their children so children can talk openly about jokes, hard days, crushes, and marriage. We should step away from friendships that pull us toward corruption and appreciate friends, teachers, and imams who help us become better. This week, we can choose our companions carefully, make time for honest family conversations, and thank someone who has helped our community.
- What makes someone a friend who helps you become better?
- What could parents do to make it easier to talk about hard days or big feelings?
- Is there a friend, teacher, or community member you should thank this week?
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer 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 influences
Lowering 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