13:48 when you sit with…18:04 you have to stand for…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Humility means respect without humiliation

El-Zahra · Mutaz Charaf

“When you sit with people, become one of them.”

The khateeb, at 13:48

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

True humility is choosing to respect others, accept truth, serve without seeking special treatment, and forgive while preserving dignity and avoiding both arrogance and humiliation.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Defines tawadu' as rejecting arrogance, respecting people, accepting correction, and being gentle.
  2. Explains that genuine humility is chosen despite power or status, not produced by fear or weakness.
  3. Distinguishes balanced humility from humiliation on one extreme and arrogance on the other.
  4. Applies humility to social relationships by rejecting status displays and encouraging equality, cooperation, and brotherhood.
  5. Uses Quranic descriptions and examples from the Prophet's life to illustrate humility in action.
  6. Connects humility with forgiveness, charity, service, and dignity.
  7. Closes with prayers for oppressed communities and for stronger faith, brotherhood, and good character.
Try this week
Accept sincere correction instead of reacting defensively.
Treat people equally regardless of wealth, age, strength, or social status.
Avoid boasting about money, possessions, health, or influence.
Serve others and avoid demanding special treatment.
Stand up for what is right without becoming arrogant.
Forgive people who have harmed you.
Spend wealth in lawful and beneficial ways.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 55Describes the servants of the Most Merciful as walking humbly and responding peacefully to ignorant people.
Surah 47Uses mercy among believers as a description of the Prophet's community.
Surah 26Urges the Prophet to lower his wing to the believers.
Surah 31Warns against disrespecting people and walking arrogantly.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“when you sit with people become one of them don't sit talk about I have this money I have that money”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 13:48
“you have to stand for your rights you have to stand for what is good you don't say oh I'm gonna humble myself”
El-Zahra · Midland Park, NJ
Play from 18:04
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that humility means respecting people, accepting the truth, and avoiding arrogance. Real humility is a choice made even when we have power, wealth, knowledge, or status; it is not fear or weakness. The imam also warns that humility should not become humiliation, and that we should still stand up for what is right. He encourages serving others, avoiding special treatment, forgiving those who hurt us, and spending our blessings in good ways. He ended by praying for people suffering from war, hunger, oppression, and injustice around the world.

  1. When is it hard to accept correction from someone else?
  2. How can we show humility at home without letting others disrespect us?
  3. What is one way our family can serve someone this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

El-Zahra Islamic Center218 Irving Street, Midland Park, NJ 07432Jumu'ah 1st 1:00 to 1:45 PM (streamed to YouTube) · 2nd 2:00 to 2:30 PMKhateebMutaz CharafMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at El-Zahra48 khutbahs
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