Friday khutbah – 30 October 2026 (19 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH)
A Positive Believer – Doing Good and Leaving a Lasting Legacy of Goodness
All praise is due to Allah. We worship Him alone and seek His help. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam) is His servant and Messenger. Allah the Almighty says: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak words of truth and righteousness. He will guide you to do righteous deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great triumph.” (Qur’an 33:70–71)
One of the greatest blessings Allah bestows upon His servants is a compassionate and caring heart — a heart that feels the suffering of others, strives to meet their needs, and leaves a positive impact wherever it goes.
A true Muslim does not live for himself alone. He recognises that his life is a trust from Allah and that an essential part of his faith is to be a source of goodness, kindness, and mercy to those around him.
A positive attitude in Islam is more than simply being active or involved. It is the natural expression of sincere faith, reflected in noble character and a willingness to take the initiative in doing good.
This may be as simple as offering a kind word that brings comfort to someone, helping a person in need, reconciling those who have fallen into disagreement, or forgiving others when we are able to do so. A negative attitude, by contrast, is when a person recognises an opportunity to do good, or has the ability to make a positive difference, yet chooses to do nothing. It is also reflected in those who constantly complain about problems without making any effort to resolve them. Allah the Almighty says: “And your Lord would never have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.” (Qur’an 11:117)
A true believer is therefore not content merely with being righteous himself. Rather, he seeks to improve the world around him, to the best of his ability, with wisdom, compassion, and sincerity. The Holy Qur’an presents us with beautiful examples of individuals who took the initiative to promote goodness and guide others towards what is right. Allah the Almighty says: “And there came running from the farthest end of the city a man, saying, ‘O my people, follow the messengers.’” (Qur’an 36:20)
This man’s faith inspired him to travel a great distance to advise his people and call them towards the truth. Despite the suffering he endured at their hands, his heart remained filled with compassion, and he continued to wish for their guidance.
We also learn valuable lessons from the story of the ant that warned the other ants of the approaching army of Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him), and from the hoopoe that brought news of the people of Sheba.
These examples remind us that responsibility is not determined by status, influence, or power. Even the smallest act, when performed with sincerity, may be blessed by Allah and become the source of tremendous good.
Our greatest example of compassion, perseverance, and a positive attitude is the Messenger of Allah (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam).
Despite the cruelty and rejection he faced, he never lost hope that people would eventually find guidance.
When the people of Ta’if subjected him to severe mistreatment, he was offered the opportunity to have the mountains brought down upon those who had harmed him.
Yet he responded: “Rather, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their descendants those who will worship Allah alone and associate nothing with Him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Through this remarkable example, the Prophet (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam) taught us to respond to hostility with wisdom, to show mercy even in the face of cruelty, and never to abandon hope, regardless of how difficult our circumstances may be.
Dear brothers and sisters,
True positivity begins with those closest to us — within our homes, among our families, and in our relationships with our neighbours — before extending to the wider community and society.
We cannot sincerely speak of mercy while treating our loved ones harshly. Nor can we call others to good character while failing to demonstrate it in our own behaviour.
A Muslim living in a society where people of different religions and cultures coexist has a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the beauty of Islam through honesty, integrity, kindness, respect, and cooperation for the common good.
Islam does not call upon us to withdraw from society or distance ourselves from others. Rather, it encourages us to engage with people positively, treat them with compassion, and contribute to the wellbeing of the communities in which we live, while remaining faithful to our religious principles and values.
Allah has opened countless doors through which we can perform good deeds. The Prophet (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam) said: “Every good deed is an act of charity.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Charity is not limited to financial assistance. It may be expressed through a sincere smile, a comforting gesture, helping an elderly person, or offering words of encouragement to someone overwhelmed by worries and difficulties.
Indeed, refraining from causing harm to others is itself an important form of charity.
Therefore, never underestimate the value of even the smallest good deed, and do not wait for extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
An action that earns the pleasure of Allah may be far closer and simpler than we imagine.
Let us reflect upon the profound words of the Prophet (salla lláhu ʻalayhi wa sallam): “If the Hour is about to begin and one of you has a sapling in his hand, and he is able to plant it before the Hour begins, let him plant it.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
This hadith conveys a powerful message of hope, perseverance, and meaningful action, even in the most difficult and seemingly hopeless circumstances.
Therefore, continue to do good, even when you may never witness the results of your efforts.
Treat others with kindness, even when they do not expect it.
Perform righteous deeds sincerely for the sake of Allah, even when no one else is aware of what you have done.
For whatever is done sincerely for Allah will never be forgotten or go unrewarded by Him.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Our days pass swiftly, and with every passing day, we draw closer to the end of our lives.
When our time in this world comes to an end, what will truly matter is the goodness we have brought into the lives of others and the righteous deeds we have performed.
Let each of us reflect and ask ourselves:
Have I brought happiness into someone’s life?
Have I eased another person’s suffering?
Have I helped resolve a conflict or brought hope to someone struggling with despair?
The true worth of a person is not measured by wealth, possessions, or the opinions of others.
Rather, it is reflected in the sincerity of their faith, the goodness of their character, and the positive influence they leave behind through their actions.
Let us therefore take as our guiding principle the words of Allah the Almighty, spoken by His Prophet Shu’ayb (peace be upon him): “I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.” (Qur’an 11:88)
We ask Allah to bless us with compassionate hearts and guide us towards deeds performed sincerely for His sake alone.
May He make us a source of goodness and benefit to others.
May He grant us the strength and willingness to help those in need, to spread kindness, love, and peace, and to leave behind a lasting legacy of goodness. And may He grant us His pleasure, mercy, and the eternal reward of Paradise in the Hereafter.
Ameen, O Lord of all the worlds.
