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

Build steady faith through daily self-accounting

IABAT · Mehdi Hazari

“Look at your own self in the mirror and make an accounting of what you are, what you've done, how you've done it.”

The khateeb, at 0:43

In one sentence

A believer should practice constant self-accounting, recognize every blessing as Allah's gift, guard the mind and empty moments, and build stable iman through conscious worship and disciplined habits.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. New Year resolutions are unnecessary without daily self-accounting before death and judgment.
  2. The Qur'anic story of the two gardens illustrates how blessings can produce arrogance and self-credit.
  3. Humility means recognizing Allah's control over every blessing and repeating mashallah.
  4. Iman is affected by mental state, food, routines, and how empty moments are spent.
  5. Imam Ali's warning encourages careful selection of teachers and role models.
  6. Fasting and mindful worship in Rajab and other months can strengthen awareness and connection to Allah.
Try this week
Account for yourself each night before sleep.
Repeat mashallah and remember that all power belongs to Allah in both ease and difficulty.
Fill idle moments with remembrance of Allah, Qur'an, or dua instead of harmful thoughts.
Choose food, routines, teachers, and role models with awareness of their effect on faith.
Fast recommended days in Rajab and other months, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th when appropriate.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18The two gardens illustrate arrogance, self-credit, and the temporary nature of worldly blessings.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“account yourself look at your own self in the mirror and make an accounting of what you are what you've done how you've done it”
IABAT · South Miami Blvd, NC
Play from 0:43
“Use your brain. Use your minds to see who you are following. Why you are following them.”
IABAT · South Miami Blvd, NC
Play from 28:10
“Even five minutes of awareness is better than ten hours of no awareness.”
IABAT · South Miami Blvd, NC
Play from 32:31
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb began by saying we do not need a new year to start changing; we should examine ourselves every day. He used the Qur'anic story of the man with two gardens to show how blessings can make us arrogant when we forget they come from Allah. He reminded us that iman is affected by our thoughts, food, habits, and the way we spend empty moments, so remembrance of Allah should fill those spaces. He also warned us to choose teachers and role models carefully, seeking knowledge and guidance rather than confidence without truth. In Rajab and the months around it, small practices such as fasting and mindful worship can help us keep our faith steady.

  1. How can we show gratitude when something good happens to us?
  2. What makes someone a trustworthy role model?