Victory begins with taqwa and good character
“First, get your relationship right with Allah. And then practice good character.”
Muslim communities overcome moral and social pressures through taqwa, knowledge, good character, family formation, and sincere effort, not numbers, weapons, technology, or mere civic participation.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Opens with reminders to fear Allah, maintain family ties, and speak truthfully.
- Uses Umar ibn al-Khattab’s counsel to Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas before al-Qadisiyyah to emphasize sincerity, patience, taqwa, and character.
- Applies that lesson to civic engagement and resistance, presenting voting as one tool but not the foundation of success.
- Urges religious study, repentance, sincere supplication for oppressed communities, and teaching children God-consciousness.
- Uses an example of nonviolent West African resistance to connect tawhid, scholarship, and taqwa.
- Concludes that Muslims must make serious effort while recognizing that victory belongs to Allah.
In the khateeb's words
“But what's most important is what Umar is telling Saad ibn Abi Waqas, which is, first, get your relationship right with Allah. And then practice good character.”
“If we are conscious of God and we practice good, God will come to our aid like He came to the aid of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the small companions when they were just a few in number.”
“You want to win? Start counting your sins. You want to win? You start reducing them.”
“He's bringing us back and he's demonstrating how he struggled and led one of the most successful resistance in West Africa that didn't include violence.”
For the dinner table
Today’s khutbah taught us that real strength begins with taqwa, a living awareness of Allah, and good character. The speaker used Umar ibn al-Khattab’s advice and examples of nonviolent struggle to show that numbers, technology, and power are not enough. We were encouraged to learn our religion, reduce our sins, care for our families, and teach our children to rely on Allah. We still have to make sincere effort, but we remember that victory and help ultimately belong to Allah.
- What is one sin or bad habit you could work on reducing this week?
- How can learning more about Islam make us braver and kinder?
- What does it mean to work hard while trusting Allah with the result?
More on Repentance & taqwa
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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.”
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