Draw near to Allah through obedience
“Muslims seek and want to get close to Allah.”
Drawing near to Allah requires beginning with obligatory acts, then pursuing extra worship, sound knowledge, righteous company, taqwa, and immediate repentance.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Frames life as a one-time opportunity to seek Allah’s nearness and end well through repentance.
- Introduces the Hadith Qudsi about Allah’s wali and explains that closeness begins with the faraid.
- Connects faith, Islam, and ihsan to learning the religion and following the Prophet’s authority.
- Prioritizes nawafil after obligations, warns against compounded ignorance, and urges company with truthful scholars.
- Defines taqwa as outward obedience and inward avoidance of prohibition, then explains how Allah’s love guides the senses and answers supplication.
- Calls listeners to stop magnifying dunya, prepare for the Hereafter, repent immediately, remember Allah, and seek Jannatul Firdaus.
In the khateeb's words
“This is the issue today is Muslims seek and want to get close to Allah. But they quite don't know what is the path to seeking Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“The person who gives the khutbah must see himself lower than all of the congregants. Not just in this masjid. But in every single masjid on the face of the planet.”
“Don't love anyone but Allah. Love all through the love of Allah. Love the messenger of Allah. Because of Allah. Love your family because of Allah.”
“And all delay of your Tawbah is simply a trick of your nafs. This is telling you you have time.”
For the dinner table
Imam Yama Niazi reminded us that drawing near to Allah begins by fulfilling the obligations He has given us, then growing through extra acts of worship. He encouraged us to learn our religion, keep company with people whose character brings us closer to Allah, and protect what we hear, see, and say. This life is our one opportunity to prepare for meeting Allah, so we should not postpone repentance. Even after sin, sincere tawbah can wipe away the sin, and Allah loves those who repent. We can turn to Allah today, ask for His help, and hope for the highest level of Jannah, al-Firdaus.
- Which obligatory act helps you feel closest to Allah?
- What kind of friend helps your heart remember Allah?
- Why is it important not to delay tawbah?
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