9:43 We're not shooting for…15:31 There's a lot of dead…20:59 It is, I'm putting…23:07 What does that mean?…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 19, 2026.

Istighfar brings us back to Allah

Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Faraz Malik

“We're not shooting for perfection, but we're shooting to strengthen our relationship with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”

The khateeb, at 9:43

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because life is brief and human beings are imperfect, believers should make istighfar a continuous practice that brings them back to Allah, softens the heart, and helps prevent repeated sin.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. A death reminder stresses life's brevity and limited opportunities for worship and good.
  2. Istighfar is introduced as a continual return to Allah, not merely a response to sin.
  3. The Prophet's frequent repentance demonstrates that istighfar can be a lifestyle.
  4. Surah al-Nasr connects seeking forgiveness with victory, when success can cause people to forget Allah.
  5. Sincere tawbah requires remorse, istighfar, and concrete safeguards against repeating sin.
  6. Listeners are urged to use idle time for istighfar, reflect after salah, and treat worship as appointments with Allah.
Try this week
Say Astaghfirullah regularly throughout the day, especially while driving, walking, or sitting idle.
Say Astaghfirullah three times after salah and sit quietly for at least thirty seconds afterward.
Create concrete safeguards and a real plan to avoid repeating a known sin.
Keep prayer appointments on time, prepare respectfully, and avoid delaying salah until the last moment.
Teach children to use Astaghfirullah as a simple practice of returning to Allah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Jami` at-TirmidhiA hadith qudsi emphasizes Allah's forgiveness for those who call upon Him and place hope in Him.
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet sought forgiveness and repented more than seventy times daily.
Sahih MuslimThe Prophet sought forgiveness one hundred times and described spiritual veils over the heart.
Surah 110Commands glorification and seeking forgiveness even after victory.
Surah 45Warns that repeated sin can harden the heart and impair spiritual perception.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“We're not shooting for perfection, but we're shooting to strengthen our relationship, with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 9:43
“There's a lot of dead space in our day. What do we do in that dead space?”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 15:31
“It is, I'm putting measures in place, so I don't do that again.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 20:59
“What does that mean? It means, in my salah, there were gaps, where I forgot about Allah, and I was focusing on the bills, and the kids, and the school, and the work, and the stresses of life.”
Madina Masjid (ICCT) · Windsor, CT
Play from 23:07
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today's khutbah reminded us that our lives are short and that every death should wake us up to the limited time we have. Istighfar, saying Astaghfirullah, is not only for after a mistake; it is a way to return to Allah whenever our hearts feel distant. The speaker encouraged us to use empty moments for remembrance, seek forgiveness after salah, and make a real plan to avoid repeating sins. He also urged us to honor our prayers as appointments with Allah and to create quiet moments of reflection. Regular istighfar can soften the heart and help us live with a lighter burden and a closer relationship with Allah.

  1. What is one empty moment today when you could remember Allah?
  2. What helps you focus during salah?
  3. What is one helpful safeguard you could put in place this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Connecticut140 White Rock Dr, Windsor, CT 06095KhateebFaraz MalikMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Madina Masjid (ICCT)21 khutbahs
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