Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 3, 2026.
Honesty protects trust and barakah
“If both parties, the buyer and the seller, are honest, and they are transparent, then their wealth will have barakah in it.”
In one sentence
Cheating and deception are forbidden in every sphere of life, while honesty, transparency, fair dealing, and repentance preserve trust and barakah.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- The Prophet’s inspection of wet food illustrates the duty to disclose defects.
- Cheating extends beyond commerce to exams, certifications, and professional income.
- Examples include withholding livestock milk, manipulating auctions, diluting products, and withholding workers’ wages.
- Honesty and transparency bring barakah, while concealment and false oaths destroy it.
- Muslims should seek Allah’s protection from scams and practice greater honesty themselves.
Try this week
Disclose defects and relevant information before selling something.
Do not cheat on exams or professional certification tests; repent if you have done so.
Avoid manipulating auctions or raising bids without intending to buy.
Pay workers the wages agreed upon.
Ask Allah for protection from scams and practice honesty in personal dealings.
Give full and fair weights and measures.
Sources the khateeb cited
Musnad AhmadA story about diluted wine illustrates how cheating removes blessing from wealth.
Surah 83The warning against cheating in weights and measures reinforces fair dealing.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“cheating is not something that only is restricted to business it's in every aspect of your life”
“If both parties, the buyer and the seller, are honest, and they are transparent, then their wealth will have barakah in it.”
“if you want everyone else to be honest with you, we as Muslims need to do better with ourselves. We have to be honest.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah reminds us that cheating is wrong wherever it happens, not only in a marketplace. We should be honest about defects, prices, weights, promises, exams, and professional qualifications. When buyers and sellers are truthful and transparent, Allah places barakah in their dealings. We should also seek Allah’s protection from scams while making sure we are honest with others ourselves. If we have cheated, we should repent and repair the harm as much as possible.
- Where might someone be tempted to hide an important detail, and what would honesty require?
- What is one way our family can be more careful and fair when buying or selling?
- How can we respond wisely when someone tries to scam us?
Keep listening
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