Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 5, 2026.
Start good deeds before you feel ready
“Make it small enough to begin today.”
In one sentence
Delaying prayer, repentance, apologies, and other good actions shapes the heart spiritually, so believers should begin today with one sincere, small, repeatable step.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Postponing worship and character change creates an imaginary future self without present action.
- Delay reshapes the heart, normalizing sin and strengthening excuses.
- Readiness and certainty often come after beginning, while opportunities and divine openings can pass.
- Sincere repentance and apologies require an honest first step, not perfection.
- Choose one small, scheduled, repeatable action today and return to Allah after setbacks.
- The closing dua asks Allah for responsive hearts, forgiveness, healing, and protection.
Try this week
Protect the next salat and pray it on time.
Apologize to someone you have hurt, even if the relationship is not fully repaired.
Read one page of Qur'an tonight or open it for five minutes.
Put your phone down when your parents speak and thank them.
Stop joining sarcasm or cruelty, and treat someone you harmed with kindness and generosity.
Sit alone for two minutes today and speak honestly to Allah.
Choose one action, schedule it around a real time, and practice it regularly.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Tomorrow's person is fully built by what we choose to be today.”
“The danger is not only the action. The danger is what repetition teaches the heart to stop noticing.”
“Sincere tawbah does not mean that you know you will never struggle again.”
“Choose one action. Make it clear. Make it small enough to begin today.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah reminded us that saying “later” can keep us from becoming the people we hope to be. Our choices today shape our hearts, and putting off prayer, honesty, or an apology can make delay feel normal. We do not have to feel perfectly ready or certain before taking a sincere step toward Allah. Allah's mercy is greater than our failures, and stumbling after we begin does not make our effort meaningless. The khateeb encouraged each of us to choose one small, clear action, give it a real time today, and keep returning to it.
- What is one good thing you sometimes put off, and what makes starting difficult?
- How could you show kindness or make an apology even while feeling embarrassed?
- What small action will you begin today, and at what time?
Keep listening
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
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.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness