21:12 that's how you give…27:59 A Muslim should not be…30:46 I'm not saying here…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 26, 2026.

Five disciplines for sincere Muslim character

Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Muhammad Gharnit

“Be a good neighbor and so many people embrace Islam because they have good neighbors that are Muslims.”

The khateeb, at 21:12

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah teaches that five prophetic disciplines, avoiding the unlawful, contentment, kindness to neighbors, loving others as oneself, and restrained humor, build sincere faith and spiritually substantial Muslim character.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces a hadith from Abu Huraira containing five prophetic counsels.
  2. Explains guarding against the unlawful through the tongue, sight, hearing, and other senses.
  3. Defines true richness as contentment with Allah’s provision rather than material wealth.
  4. Calls listeners to serve Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors, using kindness as da'wah.
  5. Urges believers to love others as themselves and resist selfishness.
  6. Warns that excessive laughter, joking, and trivial phone content weaken spiritual seriousness, while moderate humor is Prophetic.
Try this week
Guard the tongue from hurting others, gossip, slander, and backbiting.
Lower the gaze and avoid listening to speech that displeases Allah.
Practice contentment with Allah’s provision instead of constantly pursuing more wealth.
Learn neighbors’ names, share food, and help with practical tasks such as shoveling snow or carrying something heavy.
Love for others what you love for yourself and give them the better share when possible.
Reduce excessive joking, nonsense phone content, and trivial speech while keeping humor moderate.
Sources the khateeb cited
Jami` at-TirmidhiIntroduces the five counsels: avoid the unlawful, be content, honor neighbors, love others, and limit excessive laughter.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“that's how you give da'wah to be a good neighbor and so many people embrace Islam because they have good neighbors that are Muslims”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 21:12
“A Muslim should not be like a feather. When he sits, he has a power to him. He has a light to him.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 27:59
“I'm not saying here that you should be serious and then just frown all the time as the majority of us do. No.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 30:46
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches five habits from the Prophet Muhammad: avoid what Allah has forbidden, be content with what He provides, treat neighbors kindly, love for others what we love for ourselves, and do not laugh or joke excessively. True wealth is described as contentment of the heart, not simply having money. Kindness to neighbors, including non-Muslim neighbors, can itself be a form of da'wah. The goal is to become people whose words, relationships, and presence reflect sincere faith.

  1. What is one way we can help or welcome a neighbor this week?
  2. What does being rich in the heart mean to you?
  3. How can we enjoy humor without letting it make us careless or hurtful?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Connecticut140 White Rock Dr, Windsor, CT 06095KhateebMuhammad GharnitMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Madina Masjid (ICCT)21 khutbahs
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