Let character matter more than appearance
“What truly matters, what truly is important, is the heart of a person and the actions of the person.”
Muslims should resist social-media-driven fixation on appearance and wealth by centering sound hearts, good character, and actions while practicing healthy grooming, speaking gently to youth, and containing social media within families.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Warns that doom-scrolling and beauty standards drive costly cosmetic procedures and insecurity, especially among young women.
- Explains that these pressures affect Muslim families and society just as broader social harms affect everyone.
- Centers the hadith that Allah evaluates hearts and actions rather than appearances or wealth.
- Distinguishes cleanliness, grooming, scent, and good appearance from modifying features or despising natural traits.
- Describes a sound heart through patience, gratitude, emotional composure, and happiness for others’ success.
- Urges gentler speech toward children and intentional limits on social media within families.
In the khateeb's words
“what truly matters, what truly is important, is the heart of a person and the actions of the person.”
“The point is we upkeep ourselves. We keep ourselves nice. We smell nice. We look nice. We have good hygiene. But we don't go modifying our faces.”
“A father would comment on their child's appearance. That comment will sting them for a very long time.”
“We have to figure out a way to contain social media. Within our families. For ourselves, firstly. And within our families.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah warns that social media can make people feel inadequate about their appearance and possessions. The speaker reminds us that Allah cares about our hearts and actions, not our looks or wealth. Islam encourages cleanliness, good hygiene, pleasant scent, and looking presentable, but not hating the features Allah gave us. Parents and family members should speak gently because comments about appearance can hurt children for a long time. Families should also create healthy boundaries around social media and focus on character, patience, gratitude, and kindness.
- What is one quality of your heart or character that you want to strengthen?
- How can our family make social media feel less stressful?
- What kind words can we say when someone feels insecure about how they look?
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