5:53 You will think of it…11:03 when hearing something…
Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Guard your speech and assume good intentions

Pillars · John Ederer

“When hearing something critical or negative, we should look into the substance of what they're saying rather than jump to being defensive.”

The khateeb, at 11:03

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Satan's persistent influence often works through arrogance, envy, suspicion, gossip, and divisive speech, so believers must resist through humility, sincere advice, charitable assumptions, guarded speech, and protecting others' reputations.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames Satan as a subtle, persistent influence affecting everyone.
  2. Explains arrogance and envy as sources of hasad and division.
  3. Presents selflessness, good assumptions, sincere advice, and excellent speech as remedies.
  4. Warns against defensiveness, two-faced behavior, gossip, confidentiality breaches, and backbiting.
  5. Gives direct communication and workplace escalation guidance for resolving problems.
  6. Closes by connecting Qur'anic guidance and daily remembrance with strong families and communities.
Try this week
Choose speech suited to the circumstances and speak in the best, most beneficial way.
Give sincere advice and examine advice received instead of reacting defensively.
Assume good intentions and avoid interpreting people through negative reports.
Treat private conversations as trusts and ask permission before sharing them.
Stop backbiting, defend absent people, and protect their reputations.
Address problems directly first, then involve responsible management or authority if needed.
Use daily remembrance and adhkar to seek protection from harmful influence.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 1Presented as the Qur'an's introduction, summarizing God, purpose, accountability, and guidance.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You will think of it as this person is sincerely bringing their concerns about this person. When really what's happening is they sincerely believe that person shouldn't have what they have.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 5:53
“when hearing something critical or negative, we should look into the substance of what they're saying rather than jump to being defensive.”
Pillars · University City, NC
Play from 11:03
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that everyone can be influenced by Satan, especially through arrogance, envy, suspicion, and divisive speech. Sometimes jealousy disguises itself as concern, so we must examine our intentions and wish good for others. We should give and receive sincere advice, listen without defensiveness, and speak in the best way. Private conversations should be treated as trusts, and we should not spread rumors or backbite. Strong families and communities grow through humility, honest communication, remembrance of Allah, and protecting one another's dignity.

  1. How can we tell when advice is sincere rather than driven by jealousy?
  2. What could you say if friends begin speaking negatively about someone who is not present?
  3. Why is it sometimes hard to accept helpful criticism?
Where it was given

The masjid

Pillars Mosque3116 Johnston Oehler Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269Jumu'ah 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:10 PMKhateebJohn EdererMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Pillars156 khutbahs
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