Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jun 22, 2026.
A good ending starts with repentance
“Actions are judged by their ending.”
In one sentence
A believer should intentionally finish the year strong by living in taqwa, constantly repenting, guarding good deeds, especially through upright character and speech, and seeking from Allah the gift of a good ending.
The khutbah in 9 steps
- Open with the standard Arabic khutbah formulas and state the intention to finish the year strong in ways pleasing to Allah.
- Significant moments in Islam are placed at the end: Laylat al-Qadr, the ten days of Dhul Hijjah, and the Day of Arafah.
- Actions are judged by their ending, so every ending in life is a rehearsal for the end of life itself.
- Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz’s final moments show that a good ending is a gift from Allah earned through sincere, impactful righteous action.
- The hadith of spiritual bankruptcy warns that mountains of good deeds can be lost by wronging others, so a believer must protect what they earn.
- Righteousness requires balance: hope that Allah accepts good and fear that He forgives shortcomings, modeled by Ibrahim and Ismail building the Ka’bah.
- Guard the tongue and show the best character especially at home, because true piety is tested behind closed doors.
- Tawbah remains open, so keep returning to Allah and help others return without despair.
- Conclude with a dua request for healing for Brother Abdul Nazar and a supplication for a strong finish to the year.
Try this week
End each day in a state of tawbah and remembrance so that daily endings mirror the hoped-for ending of life.
Guard the tongue in speech about and to others, especially within the family.
Treat family members with the best character, since that is where piety is truly tested.
Keep company with righteous people, especially when young.
When you or others fall into sin, return to Allah immediately rather than delaying repentance.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“when it comes to this idea of wanting to finish strong it's something that our prophet himself taught us and emphasized he taught us that actions are judged by their ending by their endings”
“a person did a lot of good to the point they have mountains of good deeds so they did good on one hand but they didn't protect the good that they did on the other hand”
“what do you do if your hands get dirty you wash them what if they get dirty again you wash them again what you don't amputate them and get rid of them permanently”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb encouraged us to finish the year strongly in ways that please Allah. Our endings matter, and the way we end each day can rehearse the kind of ending we hope to have in life. We should do good with humility, asking Allah to accept it and forgive our shortcomings. We must also protect our good deeds by guarding our tongues and treating people, especially our families, with kindness. When we slip, the door of tawbah remains open, so the goal is not perfection but continuing to turn back to Allah and keep trying.
- What is one good habit you would like to end today or this week with?
- How can we protect our good deeds when we are upset with someone?
- What helps you turn back to Allah after making a mistake?
Keep listening
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