Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Repentance is a return to Allah
“Sincere repentance is committing sin, feeling really regretful about it, and then coming back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and holding yourself accountable.”
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The response of the companions after Uhud illustrates rising again after defeat and grief.
- The passing of time should lead believers to reflect on what they have lost and what they will do next.
- The new Hijri year is presented as a fresh beginning rather than an ending.
- Believers are urged to conduct a spiritual inventory of worship, habits, sins, and unfinished responsibilities.
- Sincere repentance is described as a command involving regret, accountability, and resolve not to return to sin.
- The Prophet's frequent repentance demonstrates that returning to Allah is an act of love, not only a response to hardship.
Try this week
Conduct a personal spiritual inventory of what was gained, lost, neglected, and left undone.
Turn to Allah in sincere repentance with regret and accountability.
Commit firmly not to return to the sin being repented from.
Restore neglected worship and good habits, including Qur'an connection, tahajjud, charity, and dhikr.
Leave behind something beneficial that continues after death.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 3:172Used to highlight those who responded to Allah and the Messenger after suffering injury.
Quran 59:18Used to call believers to examine what they have sent ahead for the Hereafter.
Quran 66:8Used to present sincere repentance as a direct command from Allah.
Sahih MuslimUsed for the nightly call asking whether anyone seeks forgiveness.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“it is a new page that you flip over and start writing on it is a chance to start again with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
“before you leave this world before the clock runs out leave behind something that lives after you because for the believer remembrance is a second life”
“sincere repentance is committing sin feeling really regretful about it and then coming back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and holding yourself accountable”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
At the turn of a new Hijri year, the khateeb invited us to look honestly at what the past year did to our faith. He reminded us that after Uhud, the companions responded to pain by rising again, and that our own setbacks do not have to define us. Repentance means returning to Allah sincerely, with regret, accountability, and a real intention not to return to the sin. We can begin again by taking a spiritual inventory, rebuilding prayer, Qur'an, charity, and remembrance, and leaving behind something beneficial.
- What is one good habit you would like to bring back?
- What does starting over with Allah look like in everyday life?
- What kind thing could you leave behind for others?
Keep listening
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