Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 6, 2026.
Shaitan distorts how we see reality
“Reality was the same for everyone.”
In one sentence
Shaitan cannot change reality, but he distorts our perception of it by fitting us with a false 'lens,' so believers must keep on the corrective lens of the Quran and Sunnah through taqwa, attentive listening, controlling anger, guarding the eyes, and extra worship.
The khutbah in 10 steps
- Opening praise and reminder of the sacred months, Dhul-Hijjah, and the coming new year
- The value of time and seeing reality for what it is, illustrated by Quraysh viewing the same miracles differently
- Shaitan distorts perception with a dark lens; the command to seek refuge in Allah
- People of taqwa remember Allah and regain clear sight, while the 'brothers of the shayatin' persist in transgression
- Ego and desire as a rival god: Quraysh and Firaun challenging Allah instead of admitting weakness
- The Quran as basair: listen attentively, silence internal noise, and remember Allah quietly within
- Shaitan works within religion too: the Khawarij's distorted accusations against Uthman ibn Affan
- Anger as the everyday false lens and the Prophet's remedies: sit, lie down, make wudu, walk away
- Summer exhortation: keep the lens on, lower the gaze, and gain Allah-given sight through nawafil
- Closing reflection on free choice elevating believers above angels, duas, and community announcements
Try this week
Immediately seek refuge in Allah (isti'adha) whenever a whisper from shaitan comes
Respond to temptation by remembering Allah (tadhakkur) and rejecting the distorted lens right away, e.g., still getting up for Fajr
When the Quran is recited, listen attentively and silence both external and internal distractions; do not recite loudly over people in conversation
Remember Allah quietly within yourself, with humility, even outside of recitation
When angry: sit down if standing, lie down if sitting, make wudu, and remove yourself from the situation before speaking or acting
Lower the gaze: avoid haram content on the phone, TV, and computer
Perform nawafil, extra prayers, fasting, charity, and adhkar, so that Allah grants purified sight
Keep Islamic boundaries during summer vacation and use the break to build the akhirah, not just enjoy life
Make dua for the mosque's expansion permits and support it through sadaqah jariyah (lunchbox sales)
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 3:102Opening taqwa verses commanding God-consciousness and that every soul consider what it has sent ahead for tomorrow
Quran 59:18Opening taqwa verses commanding God-consciousness and that every soul consider what it has sent ahead for tomorrow
Quran 41:36When shaitan prompts you, immediately seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing
Quran 7:201-202The people of taqwa, when touched by shaitan's whisper, remember and see clearly; their opposites are made kin to the devils and persist in transgression
Quran 7:203Those who demand revelation on their own terms are answered: 'this is basair (clear sight) from your Lord, guidance and mercy', the corrective lens
Quran 25:43'Have you seen the one who takes his own desire as his god?', ego placed above Allah's commands
Quran 7:204-205When the Quran is recited, listen attentively and stay silent to receive mercy; remember your Lord within yourself with humility
Sahih al-BukhariThe Prophet repeatedly advised 'Do not get angry' when asked for counsel
Sahih al-BukhariThrough extra prayers, fasting, charity, and dhikr, Allah says 'I will be the eyes with which he sees', the automatic corrective lens
Quran 41:37-38The angels glorify Allah and prostrate without choice; our freely chosen worship can raise us above them
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Reality was the same for everyone But The way they perceived it The lens that they decided to put on to see those realities Changed their perception”
“The people of taqwa Remove it right away Put on the corrective lens Gotta wake up for fajr Even if you delayed it a little bit You still prayed it on time”
“They're not waging war on you They're waging war on Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala This is how dangerous This is how dangerous the lens of shaytan is”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Today's khutbah was about the 'lens' we see the world through. The imam explained that shaitan cannot change reality, he can only distort how we see it, making bad things look fine and good deeds look dull. The people of taqwa notice the trick, remember Allah, and put back on the corrective lens of the Quran and Sunnah. He warned that even religious people can wear the wrong lens, like those who wrongly accused Uthman, and that anger is the most common false lens in our own homes, the Prophet said to sit down, make wudu, and walk away. As summer begins, he asked us to guard our eyes from haram on our screens and to add extra worship, because Allah promised that through nawafil He becomes the very eyes we see with.
- If shaitan handed you a pair of 'dark glasses,' what is something good he might try to make look boring or bad?
- Next time you feel really angry, what is the first thing the Prophet told us to do, and could you actually try it?
- What is one extra small good deed you could add this summer to get the 'automatic lens' the imam talked about?
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