Turn to Allah and grow in taqwa
“It's how quickly I am to go back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala when I make a mistake.”
As Rajab begins, Muslims should treat it as a sacred opportunity to turn toward Allah and deepen taqwa through reverence, hope, knowledge, sincere love, quick repentance, and good character.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Reintroduces the shahada and presents Rajab as a sacred month, not merely a lead-in to Ramadan.
- Explains the four sacred months and Rajab’s traditional association with peace and serenity.
- Connects Rajab with Isra and Mi'raj and the change of qibla as signs of Allah’s care.
- Presents Ibn Juzay al-Kalbi’s paths to taqwa through fear, hope, gratitude, knowledge, and sincere love.
- Uses prophetic guidance to define taqwa through quick repentance and good character toward others.
- Closes by urging listeners to seek forgiveness, strengthen taqwa, and improve their conduct throughout Rajab.
In the khateeb's words
“Imagine that you have shared just the frustration with Allah and He has come and solved that frustration with you, that frustration for you.”
“So that is how I check whether my taqwa is in the right place. It's how quickly I am to go back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala when I make a mistake.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb encouraged us to welcome Rajab as a sacred month with its own value, rather than simply waiting for Ramadan. Through his account of the change of qibla, he reminded us that Allah knows what is in our hearts and encouraged us to turn to Him with our needs. He explained that taqwa means being conscious of Allah, and that it grows through fear of displeasing Him, hope, gratitude, and knowing His names and attributes. He invited us to begin our days by thinking about what would please Allah. His practical advice was to return quickly to Allah after a mistake, follow it with a good deed, and treat the people around us with kindness and good character.
- What is one thing you could do tomorrow morning to please Allah?
- Who has helped you learn about Islam, and how could you thank them?
- After an argument, what good deed could help you make things better?
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
2:40Islamic Association of · Flower Mound, TX · Oct 24, 2026Repentance begins a life of self-discipline“Whilst you are alive, whilst you are reading, whilst you are even sitting in the masjid now, you can do Tawba with Allah.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness