Verify reports before judging others
“Allah is telling us to mind our business.”
Surah al-Hujurat teaches believers to discipline their speech, verify reports, avoid suspicion and spying, and overcome jealousy and backbiting so the community can live with genuine love.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- The khateeb opens with the testimony of faith and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad.
- He introduces Surah al-Hujurat as a source of advice, precautions, and wisdom for believers.
- He explains commands not to precede Allah and His Messenger, raise one's voice, or accept unverified reports.
- He urges listeners to avoid suspicion, spying, jumping to conclusions, and unnecessary involvement in others' affairs.
- He connects jealousy and envy to backbiting, insincere greetings, and weakened brotherhood.
In the khateeb's words
“Really, the wisdom in this hadith, Allah is telling us to mind our business. unless something concerns you directly, mind your business.”
“Jealousy can lead a Muslim, a believer, to start talking about someone instead of telling them in their face, they talk behind them.”
“Even when we say to a brother, as-salamu alaykum, the smile is not coming from our heart.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb shared advice from Surah Al-Hujurat about how we treat one another. He connected belief with showing love to other people and reminded us to respect the guidance of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. When we hear something about someone, he urged us to verify it or leave it alone instead of jumping to conclusions. He also warned against suspicion and spying, reminding us to mind our own business. Finally, he described how jealousy can lead to talking behind someone's back and even make our friendly greetings less sincere.
- What is one way you could show kindness to someone you find hard to get along with?
- What could you do when someone shares a rumor about a classmate?
- When someone gets something you wish you had, what could help you respond kindly?
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