Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Good speech strengthens faith and relationships

“If you don't have anything to add, just don't add it.”

The khateeb, at 8:30

In one sentence

Muslims should restrain their speech, speak kindly and thoughtfully, and use good manners because disciplined speech strengthens faith and relationships.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The sermon begins with advice to speak only when relevant and avoid unnecessary arguments.
  2. Silence and controlling the tongue are presented as safeguards for faith and personal dignity.
  3. Prophetic reports and Quranic passages warn about careless speech and encourage saying what is good.
  4. Kind speech, smiling, and good manners are emphasized toward both friends and adversaries.
  5. A practical recipe for entering Jannah includes feeding people, spreading salam, speaking gently, and praying at night.
  6. The sermon concludes with an example of responding gently to an offensive person, followed by announcements about Granada and the janazah.
Try this week
Speak only when a matter concerns you, and pause to think before responding.
Avoid unnecessary arguments, especially with patient people or ignorant arguers.
Say good words to friends and foes, smile, and use gentle manners.
Feed people, spread salam to those you know and do not know, speak gently, and pray at night.
Support the MCA Granada fundraising cause according to your ability and remain for the janazah prayer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 23:1-4Connected avoiding excessive speech with prayer and zakah among the qualities of successful believers.
Quran 2:83Used the covenant with the Children of Israel to teach saying good things to people.
Quran 17:53Commanded believers to say what is best because Shaytan causes conflict between people.
Quran 41:34Taught responding to hostility with what is better so animosity may become closeness.
Quran 2:263Argued that kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by hurtful speech.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“if you don't have anything to add, just don't add it. And do not talk about issues that do not matter to you.”
MCA · Santa Clara, CA
Play from 8:30
“there is value for being silent, allows you to think. And when you give yourself the chance to think carefully before what you say, most likely you will say the right thing.”
MCA · Santa Clara, CA
Play from 9:19
“what will become sufficient for everybody around you is that you open up your face and smile and have good manners”
MCA · Santa Clara, CA
Play from 18:39
“the worst of people in the eyes of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in the day of judgment are the ones that people avoid them because of their tongue”
MCA · Santa Clara, CA
Play from 23:33
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah taught that our words matter, so we should speak only when useful and think before we talk. Good speech includes kindness, smiles, gentle manners, and welcoming both friends and strangers. The Prophet's guidance also encourages feeding people, spreading salam, speaking softly, and praying at night. Even when someone is offensive, we should avoid foul language and respond with dignity. Small habits of controlled and kind speech can strengthen our faith and improve our relationships.

  1. When is staying quiet wiser than joining a conversation?
  2. How can a smile or kind word help someone feel welcome?
  3. Which action from the khutbah will you practice this week?