Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 25, 2026.
Guarding the gaze protects the heart
“With this haram look a person may please their eyes but in fact they corrupt their souls.”
In one sentence
Guarding the gaze from unlawful images and repeated looks is a form of worship that protects the heart, preserves chastity, and helps believers maintain the sweetness of faith.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Taqwa gives believers moral discernment, while the heart governs the condition of the whole person.
- Eyes and ears influence the heart, so believers should avoid small steps that can lead toward zina.
- Men and women are both commanded to lower the gaze and protect chastity; looking and speaking can be forms of zina's pathways.
- Guarding the gaze is worship, especially in private; accidental glances should be followed by looking away, never by a second look.
- Poetic imagery presents glances as arrows or sparks that may please the eyes while harming the soul and faith.
- Resisting haram protects the sweetness of iman, while filling the heart with obedience strengthens it.
- The khutbah concludes with Muharram fasting guidance, prayers for an injured community member, and mosque reminders.
Try this week
Lower the gaze from unlawful images and situations that can lead toward zina.
Look away immediately after an accidental glance and do not repeat the look.
Guard speech, desires, and private parts within what Allah has permitted.
Fill the heart with faith, obedience, and good deeds.
Increase worship in Muharram and fast Ashura, ideally the ninth and tenth or the ninth through eleventh.
Make dua for the injured community member and check mosque social media before Jumu'ah for parking updates.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“So this ibadah Of ghaddul basar Of controlling the gaze Of limiting the gaze Is a great ibadah Because it protects our hearts”
“Do not look at second time If you happen to look the first time By accident Don't repeat”
“With this look With this haram look A person may please Their eyes But in fact They corrupt Their souls”
“On the contrary If you fill up Your heart With Iman And Ta'ah Obedience of Allah We shall inshaAllah Find the sweetness Of Iman”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that what enters through our eyes and ears can shape our hearts. Lowering the gaze means turning away from unlawful images, resisting a second look, and protecting chastity; when done privately for Allah, it is worship. If the heart is filled with faith and obedience, we can find the sweetness of faith. During Muharram, families can increase good deeds and fast Ashura, ideally the ninth and tenth, or the ninth through eleventh.
- What is one situation this week where turning away quickly could protect your heart?
- How can we make lowering our gaze feel like worship rather than merely restriction?
- What Muharram good deed or fasting plan could our family try together?
Keep listening
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