13:30 But we can rot from…37:06 So look at those less…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 1, 2025.

Guard your heart against hypocrisy

Middle Ground

“Look at those less fortunate than you, because it will soften your heart.”

The khateeb, at 37:06

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Believers must guard against hypocrisy by softening their hearts, refusing worldly delay and negligence, increasing sincere worship, and responding to hardship with gratitude and service.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Defines hypocrisy as the greatest internal threat to a Muslim community after its faith is established.
  2. Contrasts believers who possess light and hope with hypocrites left in darkness on Judgment Day.
  3. Identifies hypocrisy’s patterns: worldly distraction, fence-sitting, excessive questioning, wishful thinking, doubt, and negligence.
  4. Calls listeners to self-examination, repentance, timely worship, and resistance to digital distractions.
  5. Warns against hardening the heart toward the Hereafter while emphasizing Allah’s mercy and avoiding judgment of others.
  6. Concludes by urging gratitude, sadaqah, and practical help for people facing hardship.
Try this week
Make sincere repentance and frequent istighfar a regular part of life.
Stop delaying known acts of worship: pray on time and act on religious clarification.
Limit distracting scrolling and other dunya-focused media that consume attention.
Look toward those less fortunate to cultivate gratitude.
Give sadaqah and reach out to support and comfort people facing hardship.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 57:16Used to ask whether believers’ hearts have softened through Allah’s remembrance and reverence.
Quran 57:12-15Used to contrast believers’ light and paradise with hypocrites’ darkness, separation, and inability to ransom themselves.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“But we can rot from the inside. We can try to be deceitful.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 13:30
“So look at those less fortunate than you, because it will soften your heart.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 37:06
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that hypocrisy is not only about what other people pretend to be; it can begin in our own delay, distraction, and neglect. A believer keeps the heart soft by remembering Allah, praying and repenting before it is too late, and remembering that the lasting goal is the Hereafter. We should not spend our lives waiting to see what happens or comparing ourselves with people who seem better off. Instead, we can look at those facing greater hardship, thank Allah, give sadaqah, and offer help and comfort. The message is serious about accountability but hopeful about Allah’s mercy and the chance to turn back today.

  1. What distraction makes it hardest for you to remember Allah?
  2. How can our family help someone who is having a difficult time?
  3. What is one good action we should stop delaying?
Where it was given

The masjid

Middle Ground Muslim Center870 N Mountain Ave, Suite 102, Upland, CA 91786Jumu'ah Khutbah 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Middle Ground29 khutbahs
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