Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 19, 2026.

Taqwa means justice, humility, and protecting dignity

“Islam encourages being an active believer.”

The khateeb, at 10:17

In one sentence

Allah honors every human being, but believers rise in rank through taqwa expressed as active moral responsibility, justice, humility, and protection of others' dignity.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Allah honors humanity through intellect, speech, stewardship, provision, and sacred dignity.
  2. Because human life is honored, killing and injustice are condemned.
  3. Taqwa, rather than ethnicity or ritual alone, distinguishes people before Allah.
  4. Believers must actively promote right, resist wrong, and accept sincere advice.
  5. Justice must shape personal, family, workplace, and communal relationships.
  6. Umar's famine-era decisions illustrate accountability and context-sensitive justice.
  7. Ibn al-Qayyim's principle frames true sharia as justice, mercy, wisdom, and public good; the sermon concludes with prayers and two shahadas.
Try this week
Avoid cheating, arrogance, injustice, and mistreatment in daily relationships.
Uphold what is right and oppose what is wrong in personal and social interactions.
Be willing to receive sincere advice as well as offer it.
Apply fairness at home, work, school, and with friends.
Consider how decisions affect vulnerable people and adjust unjust arrangements.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Islam encourages being an active believer a conscious believer and following the Quran and Sunnah instills in us this consciousness”
NHIEC · Union City, NJ
Play from 10:17
“then it is not from the sharia even if it is claimed to be so by some interpretation by some sort of ta'weel”
NHIEC · Union City, NJ
Play from 23:48
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Allah has honored every person, so every human life deserves dignity and protection. Taqwa is more than performing rituals; it means staying away from wrongdoing and living with awareness of Allah. A strong believer actively supports what is right, accepts good advice, and treats people fairly. The khutbah points to Umar as an example of taking responsibility for how rules affect vulnerable people. We should practice justice at home, at school, at work, and with our friends.

  1. Where did you notice fairness or unfairness this week?
  2. What is one way to show taqwa at home, at school, or with friends?
  3. How can we give or receive good advice kindly?