Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 3, 2026.

True hijrah begins with the heart

IMAAM Center · Arif Mustofa

“Every time we leave a bad habit for a good habit, we make a hijrah.”

The khateeb, at 7:07

In one sentence

True hijrah is a transformation of the heart away from sin and worldly attachment toward Allah, expressed through worship, generosity, gratitude, and stronger families and communities.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Muharram and the Hijrah are presented as movement from persecution toward freedom and spiritual transformation.
  2. True hijrah means abandoning forbidden habits, anger, sin, and excessive attachment to worldly life.
  3. A sound heart shapes worship, intentions, relationships, and the health of the wider community.
  4. Prioritizing worldly concerns creates restlessness, while prioritizing the Hereafter brings inner richness and order.
  5. Suhaib's sacrifice of his wealth illustrates investing in an everlasting reward.
  6. Believers should recognize blessings as gifts from Allah and use them to draw closer to Him.
Try this week
Leave one bad habit or sin and replace it with a good habit.
Replace anger with patience and renew the heart’s intention toward Allah.
Treat opportunities to help relatives, people in need, and the masjid as investments in Jannah.
Use wealth, time, and blessings to strengthen one’s relationship with Allah.
Recognize blessings as gifts from Allah and use them to draw closer to Him.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Every time we leave a bad habit for a good habit, we make a hijrah.”
IMAAM Center · Silver Spring, MD
Play from 7:07
“Everything begins with the heart. Our intention, our niyad starts with the heart.”
IMAAM Center · Silver Spring, MD
Play from 8:56
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Muharram is more than a new calendar month: it recalls the Hijrah and invites us to make a spiritual move toward Allah. We can make that move by leaving a bad habit, replacing anger with patience, and caring for the condition of our hearts. He taught that a heart focused only on worldly success becomes restless, while a heart focused on the Hereafter finds contentment and gathers its affairs. Our time, wealth, and help for others can become lasting investments with Allah. Finally, we should recognize every blessing as a gift from Allah and use it to grow closer to Him, strengthening our families and community.

  1. What is one small change that could become your own hijrah this week?
  2. How can our family turn one blessing into an opportunity to help someone?
  3. What do we spend more time preparing for: this life or the life that never ends?