Good deeds erase sins, but some sins destroy them
“We sin, we repent, we sin, we repent.”
During the blessed days of Ayam al-Tashriq, believers must seize the season of opportunity by increasing dhikr and good deeds, since deeds will be weighed on Judgment Day and good deeds erase bad ones, while guarding against the two categories of sin that destroy good deeds: violating the rights of people and shirk, including showing off (riya).
The khutbah in 8 steps
- Today is within Ayam al-Tashriq; believers are urged to increase takbir and remembrance of Allah
- A believer's whole life is spent earning hasanat and erasing bad deeds with good ones
- Allah grants seasons of opportunity: the last ten of Ramadan, first ten of Dhul-Hijjah, first ten of Muharram
- On Judgment Day deeds are weighed; the lesson is the quantity of good versus bad deeds
- Good deeds erase bad deeds: wudu plus two rakahs, the five daily prayers as a cleansing river, and sincere tawba replacing evil with good
- Warning: bad deeds can also wipe out good deeds, do not invalidate your works
- Two deed-destroying sins: violating the rights of people (the bankrupt on Judgment Day) and shirk, including minor shirk of riya
- Closing reminder: today and tomorrow remain for sacrifice and abundant dhikr
In the khateeb's words
“a true Muslim or a true believer spend all his life striving to earn hasanat stay away from the new sins and also erase his bad deeds with the good ones”
“we cannot give up we sin we repent we sin we repent this is part of our lives it doesn't mean that we're trying to encourage you to commit sins”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that the days of Ayam al-Tashriq are a special time to increase takbir, remembrance of Allah, and good deeds. Since everyone has both good and bad deeds, we should keep adding good deeds and use them to erase our mistakes. He encouraged us not to give up: we sin, repent, and return to Allah, knowing that sincere tawbah can even turn evil deeds into good ones. He also warned that worship does not excuse hurting people; insults, abuse, and taking what belongs to others can cost us our good deeds. Our worship should be sincere for Allah, while we work to purify our hearts and improve how we treat others.
- What good deed could we add to our family routine this week?
- What helps you remember to ask Allah for forgiveness after a mistake?
- How can we protect other people's rights at home or school?
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