NYU Islamic Center Podcasts · Islamic Center at New York University

Upholding Good Character | Khutbah Tamim Islam

·29 min·1 clip

A boy heading to Baghdad tells robbers he has 40 gold coins sewn into his clothes.

1. NYU Islamic Center Podcasts episode “Upholding Good Character | Khutbah Tamim Islam” centers on akhlaq as a central Islamic duty. 2. Tamim Islam delivers the khutbah as the speaker, and he cites Abu Hurayrah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Rajab, Abu Darda, Aisha, Mu'adh ibn Jabal, and Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani to build the argument. 3. The episode asks what “good character” looks like beyond prayer, zakah, and other ritual acts. 4. The opening recites Qur’anic verses about taqwa, speaking “qawlan sadeeda,” and obeying Allah and His messenger. 5. Tamim Islam quotes the hadith, “I have only been sent to perfect righteous character,” and uses it to reframe Islam around conduct. 6. Ibn al-Qayyim’s line that good character is the outer reflection of inner iman anchors the moral argument. 7. The khutbah points to everyday behavior in the masjid, including people guarding seats or giving a harsh look to someone dressed differently. 8. Ibn Rajab’s three categories appear next: beautiful dealings with Allah, with people, and with one’s own self. 9. The speaker defines beautiful dealings with Allah as sincerity, devotion, and focused worship. 10. The speaker defines beautiful dealings with people as mercy, gentle honesty, and patience. 11. The speaker says people should not be labeled quickly after learning a few ayahs or hadith. 12. Beautiful dealings with the self include discipline in study or sports, self-control, and healthy confidence. 13. Abu Darda’s hadith is cited: nothing is heavier on the believer’s scale than good character, and Allah hates vulgarity and obscenity. 14. Tamim Islam uses the Prophet’s reputation as Al-Sadiq and Al-Ameen to show why people trusted him even before prophethood. 15. Surah Al-Qalam is quoted: “And truly you are a man of outstanding character.” 16. The khutbah draws a balance between generosity and wastefulness, courage and recklessness, and honesty without harshness. 17. The tone is instructional and example-driven, with short asides about classrooms, workplaces, meetings, and the masjid. 18. The format mixes Qur’anic recitation, hadith citations, personal anecdotes, and one long historical story. 19. Best for students, worshippers, and anyone working on etiquette. 20. Skip if you want a short, purely academic lecture without sermon-style examples.

As heard by us

A khutbah on character that turns modesty, honesty, and family conduct into daily tests.

The khutbah treats good character as something measured in ordinary conduct, not in praise alone. It begins with taqwa and straight speech, then follows the small, everyday choices that reveal character: how one speaks, where one goes, and which situations one keeps away from.

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Why you'd press play

When you want a khutbah about taqwa, honesty, modesty, and good character in everyday life.

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