Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, May 2, 2026.

True repentance changes how we act

“Just keep working, keep doing good deeds.”

The khateeb, at 4:39

In one sentence

True repentance requires lasting moral change, and believers should trust Allah’s transforming mercy by controlling anger, forgiving wholeheartedly, and doing good to those who hurt them.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq and presents noble character as the essence of Islam and the Prophet’s mission.
  2. Explains the dua’s progression from seeking forgiveness to pardon, overlooking, and trusting Allah’s grace.
  3. Uses Surah al-Furqan 70 to teach that sincere repentance and righteous deeds can transform sins into good deeds.
  4. Warns that repeated apologies without changed conduct are not sincere tawbah, using missed prayers as an example.
  5. Applies the lesson to relationships: control anger, forgive wholeheartedly, forget past hurts, and respond with ihsan.
  6. Closes with a prayer to become the muttaqi believers Allah and Ahl al-Bayt want.
Try this week
Make sincere tawbah, then stop returning to the same sin and repair your conduct.
Guard the daily prayers on time instead of relying on repeated qada.
When angered, pause and refrain from retaliating.
Forgive the person wholeheartedly, let go of past remarks, and perform an act of kindness or give a gift.
Use time for learning and worthwhile good deeds, asking Allah for tawfiq.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 25Supports the claim that sincere repentance and righteous action can transform prior bad deeds into good deeds.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Akhlaq is deen Akhlaq is your religion Akhlaq is you Who you are? Your Akhlaq Whatever you show in your actions in your behavior in your speaking walking, talking This is you Akhlaq”
Islamic Education Center, · Glendale Heights, IL
Play from 4:06
“Don't just have slogans only Not just claiming I'm this, I'm that, I'm Yes, yes, we know Everybody knows everybody Just keep working, keep doing good deeds”
Islamic Education Center, · Glendale Heights, IL
Play from 4:39
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah reminded us that our manners and everyday actions show who we are, and that good deeds matter even when nobody notices. Through Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq, the khateeb described asking Allah for forgiveness, for sins to be erased and overlooked, and for His grace to turn bad deeds into good deeds. He connected this hope in Allah's mercy with sincere repentance followed by good actions and a commitment to change. He also encouraged us to make time for learning and doing good. In our relationships, he urged us to grow from controlling anger to forgiving wholeheartedly, and then to showing kindness to the person who upset us.

  1. What good deed could you do this week without telling anyone about it?
  2. When you say sorry, what action could help show that you mean it?
  3. What could help you pause when you feel angry and choose a kind response?