Anger reveals our true character
“Our true character appears when we are angry.”
Hypocrisy appears through lying, betraying trusts, breaking promises, and injustice during anger, but it can be treated through repentance, self-accountability, and cultivating truthful, trustworthy, fair character.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Distinguishes major hypocrisy in belief from practical hypocrisy in conduct.
- Examines lying, including small lies and falsely attributing statements to Allah or the Prophet.
- Expands trustworthiness to secrets, responsibilities, employment, community positions, knowledge, and paid time.
- Addresses broken promises and covenant obligations in family, business, marriage, and community life.
- Explains how anger and disputes reveal character, urging justice even toward disliked people.
- Warns against outward religiosity or gentleness masking pride, hatred, cheating, or mistreatment.
- Concludes with repentance, nightly self-review, anger control, and replacing bad habits with good ones.
In the khateeb's words
“a person continues to lie and seek lying until he is written with Allah as a liar”
“our true character does not appear only when everything is going well our true character appears when we are angry it appears when we dislike someone”
“replacing lying with truthfulness replacing betrayal with trustworthiness replacing broken promises with fulfillment replacing injustice with fairness replacing showing off with sincerity replacing arrogance with humility”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah taught that hypocrisy is not only saying one thing and hiding another; it can also appear in everyday behavior. The speaker highlighted four warning signs: lying, betraying trusts, breaking promises, and becoming unjust during arguments. He reminded us that trusts include secrets, work responsibilities, community roles, and the time for which we are paid. We can fight these habits by telling the truth, returning rights, keeping promises, controlling anger, repenting, and checking ourselves each night. Our homes, workplaces, and mosque should feel safe because our private character matches our public faith.
- What is one kind of trust you carry at home or school?
- What can you do when you are angry but still need to be fair?
- Which good habit would you most like to practice this week?
More on Character & conduct
The strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.10:16Masjid Al-Noor · Waterloo, IA · Oct 31, 2026Control anger before it causes harm
Peer pressure is an issue that is just as applicable to adults as it is to children.5:08The Rayyan Center · Plymouth, MI · Oct 31, 2026Adults must choose their influences
Lowering your gaze is cleaner to your heart and fulfilling the amanah that Allah gave you.1:03:23Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA · Oct 30, 2026Every trust from Allah must be honored