10:59 If you can find any…17:17 You are not trying to…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 11, 2026.

Verify reports and choose mercy

JSMC · Ibrahim Humayun

“Find any good excuse for them, then find that good excuse and make it for them.”

The khateeb, at 10:59

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In one sentence

Because human knowledge is limited and appearances can mislead, Muslims should seek beneficial knowledge humbly, suspend suspicion, verify reports, and reconcile with mercy.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Musa and Khidr illustrate human limits, hidden wisdom, and the need for patience.
  2. Seek sound, beneficial knowledge humbly from anyone, regardless of status.
  3. Avoid suspicion, spying, jealousy, gossip, and severing relationships.
  4. Verify troubling reports before acting, then repair damaged relationships through reconciliation.
  5. Choose forgiveness and mercy over winning arguments or protecting the ego.
Try this week
Ask Allah regularly to increase you in beneficial knowledge.
Learn from sound sources regardless of the teacher’s social or professional status.
Make a good excuse for another person when their words or actions have a plausible innocent explanation.
Verify troubling reports before repeating them or acting against someone.
Contact a family member or fellow Muslim with whom you have an unresolved dispute.
Reconcile, pardon, overlook, and show mercy instead of pursuing ego or victory.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18The story of Musa and Khidr demonstrates limited human knowledge and hidden wisdom.
Surah 12The statement that above every possessor of knowledge is one more knowing supports humility.
Surah 20The prayer to ask Allah for increased knowledge shows everyone needs continued learning.
Surah 24The response to Aisha’s slander teaches believers to think well of one another and pardon.
Surah 49The passage commands verification of reports, avoidance of negative assumptions, and reconciliation among believers.
Surah 17Speaking what is best counters Satan’s efforts to create discord.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“If you can find any good excuse for them, then find that good excuse and make it for them.”
JSMC · Tampa, FL
Play from 10:59
“You are not trying to become, win over the argument, or just be right. Rather you're trying to be the better person, so that you can receive mercy.”
JSMC · Tampa, FL
Play from 17:17
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that no one knows everything, so we should learn with humility and ask Allah for beneficial knowledge. The story of Musa and Khidr reminds us that actions can have wisdom we cannot see, so we should not rush to judge others. When we hear troubling news, we should verify it, avoid suspicion, spying, gossip, envy, and cutting people off. If a relationship has broken down, we should reach out, reconcile, forgive, and choose mercy over winning an argument. By treating believers with mercy and thinking well of Allah and one another, we hope for Allah’s mercy.

  1. What is something you can learn from someone you do not usually expect to teach you?
  2. What should we do before believing a negative story about someone?
  3. Who could we make peace with this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Jesus Son of Mary Center3457 W Kenyon Ave, Tampa, FL 33614Jumu'ah Khutbah 1:30 PMKhateebIbrahim HumayunMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at JSMC80 khutbahs
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