Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 11, 2026.
Faith keeps power within divine limits
“We were born alone, we will die alone, and will be judged alone.”
In one sentence
Human beings become transgressive when they feel self-sufficient, but faith, accountability before Allah, sincere prostration, and service to others keep them within divine limits.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Surah al-Alaq defines human transgression as arising from perceived self-sufficiency.
- Power, wealth, and ability without faith become aggression, greed, and oppression.
- The khutbah contrasts the transgressor’s dishonesty with the believer’s truthfulness, restraint, and service.
- Allah sees intentions, grants opportunities to return, and warns of solitary judgment and punishment.
- Believers must refuse pressure to dilute faith, obey Allah above conflicting commands, and draw near through sujood.
- Guidance requires studying Quran and Sunnah, contemplating creation, and helping others toward righteousness.
Try this week
Study the Quran and authentic Sunnah.
Contemplate creation and Allah’s names.
Use strength, wealth, and influence to help others.
Keep promises and speak truthfully.
Draw near to Allah through sincere sujood.
Guide others toward righteousness through knowledge and good deeds.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 96:6-8Used to argue that perceived self-sufficiency produces transgression and that everyone ultimately returns to Allah.
Quran 96:9-19Used to contrast transgressive and faithful character, warn of accountability, and command prostration and nearness to Allah.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“strength without iman is aggression wealth without iman becomes greed and becomes transgression against others”
“when he makes a promise he keeps it when he speaks he tells the truth”
“we were born alone we will die alone and will be judged alone”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that feeling self-sufficient can make people cross moral limits, while faith makes us accountable to Allah. A believer should be truthful, keep promises, use strength to help others, and avoid watering down faith to fit in. In sujood, we admit that we need Allah’s guidance and mercy. This week, we can study the Quran and Sunnah, reflect on creation, and do something good for someone around us.
- When has remembering Allah helped you make a better choice?
- What is one promise or responsibility you can handle more faithfully this week?
- How can our family turn learning into helping someone else?
Where it was given
The masjid
Islamic Center of Western Suburbs (ICWS)28W774 Army Trail Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185Jumu'ah “Khutbah 1 | 1:05 | pm; Jamaat 1 | 1:25 | pm; Khutbah 2 | 1:35 | pm; Jamaat 2 | 1:55 | pm” (Bartlett location). “Khutbah | 1:15 | pm; Jamaat | 1:35 | pm” (West Chicago location).ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of48 khutbahs
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