Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Forgive when you have power to retaliate
“We have to take a shower from the hatred.”
In one sentence
By remembering the Ahl al-Bayt and Imam Ali, listeners should abandon sin and resentment, treat people well, and choose forgiveness when they have power to retaliate.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Recites the Hadith al-Kisa and honors the Ahl al-Bayt gathered under the cloak.
- Leads extended prayers seeking forgiveness, mercy, and relief.
- Presents three lessons attributed to Imam Ali: avoid sin, live positively among people, and forgive.
- Connects forgiveness with gratitude to Allah for granting power over enemies.
- Mourns Zaynab’s suffering after Karbala and closes with devotional prayers for the Imams and Imam al-Mahdi.
Try this week
Stop using Allah’s sustenance and blessings in sinful or wrong paths.
Treat people positively and build relationships so your presence matters.
Begin each morning by releasing hatred, frustration, bitterness, and other harmful feelings.
Forgive people and enemies when retaliation is possible, as gratitude to Allah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 24:22Used to argue that receiving Allah’s forgiveness requires forgiving other people.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“We have to take a shower from the hatred. We have to take a shower from the frustration. We have to take a shower from betterness.”
“be among the people the way that if you die, they cry for you, and if you're alive, they should be interested to see you.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The speaker shares three lessons from Imam Ali: turn away from sin, treat people positively, and forgive others. He reminds us to use Allah’s blessings responsibly and to live in a way that makes people happy to see us. He compares clearing hatred and frustration from our hearts to washing ourselves each morning. When we have the power to retaliate, he presents forgiveness as a way to thank Allah for that power. The program also remembers Zainab’s grief and the many losses she witnessed at Karbala.
- Which blessing could you use to help someone this week?
- What could you do tomorrow to make someone happy to see you?
- When you feel like getting even, what could help you choose forgiveness?
Keep listening
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