Character & conductFrom the masjid's own video, May 3, 2026.
Reform yourself before advising others
“Start with yourself, my brothers and sisters.”
In one sentence
Muslims should begin moral reform with sincere self-accountability, matching words to deeds, before advising others, so families and society are reformed through lived example.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Islam calls believers to race toward forgiveness, good character, and righteous deeds.
- The khutbah focuses on examining personal faults before correcting or judging others.
- Qur'anic warnings and prophetic teachings condemn saying what one does not do.
- Self-accountability does not cancel enjoining good; sincere effort makes advice truthful despite human weakness.
- Repentance and striving reform the individual, with divine guidance promised to those who strive.
- Family and community reform follow through trustworthy example and cooperation in righteousness.
Try this week
Repent to Allah promptly and before death.
Maintain abundant remembrance of Allah and frequent charity, privately and publicly.
Examine your own faults and hold yourself accountable before judging or advising others.
Make your words match your deeds; be trustworthy, honest, and a good example for your children.
Advise others with a pure intention to guide them after beginning your own reform.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“So start with yourself, my brothers and sisters. Command yourself, restrain yourself, Hold yourself accountable for own faults and judge it before you hold the other accountable and judge others.”
“The successful among us is the one who repents, the one who sincerely do the effort to reverse the course.”
“You get closer to your Creator an inch, insha'Allah He will get closer to you a mile.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Islam calls us to good character, sincere intentions, and deeds that match our words. We should look honestly at our own faults and repent, while remembering that human weakness does not excuse abandoning good advice. At home, children learn especially from what parents do, so trustworthiness and honesty are forms of teaching. When individuals reform themselves and cooperate in righteousness, families and the wider Muslim community can become stronger.
- What is one habit you could improve this week?
- How do our actions teach other people?
- How can we give advice kindly and sincerely?
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