A good ending requires more than piety
“Don't let shaitan ever close the door, no matter how horrible your deeds are.”
A good ending is not guaranteed by outward piety, age, or reputation, so believers should seek sincerity, repentance, consistent good deeds, and care for others while asking Allah for steadfastness.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Opens with death and graveyard visits, then stories showing outward courage or piety can end badly and former enemies can end well.
- Defines a good or bad ending and stresses that deeds are judged by their endings because hearts can change.
- Recommends sincerity, prayer, charity, fasting, helpfulness, Quran recitation, repentance, and protecting others’ rights.
- Warns against despair, ego, judging sinners, and complacency while encouraging regular dhikr and good opinion of Allah.
- Closes with nightly repentance, wudu, dhikr, self-review, prayers for the sick and deceased, prayers for oppressed Muslims, and announcements.
In the khateeb's words
“Don't let shaitan ever close the door, no matter how horrible your deeds are, of Sidq al-Tawbah, returning to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
“Because between you and Allah, Allah is the most forgiving. But when it comes to the rights of others, Allah is just.”
“None of us know whether we are going to live till the end of the day or not. And when you sleep, none of us know if we are going to wake up or not.”
“Those who think they are on the right track, Don't be complacent. Don't be full of yourself. Stay alert.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that a person's outward appearance does not guarantee how their life will end, so we should ask Allah for a good ending and stay humble. Even someone who has done terrible things can sincerely repent and return to Allah, while someone who seems very religious can be harmed by pride or a sudden change of heart. We can prepare by praying on time, doing good for people, protecting their rights, keeping up dhikr, and reviewing our day before sleep. We should never despair of Allah's mercy or look down on others; instead, we should keep doing good and hope in Allah's forgiveness.
- What is one good habit that could help us prepare for a good ending?
- How can we repair someone else's rights if we have hurt them?
- Why should we avoid judging someone who is struggling?
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