3:02 This word, my brothers…4:31 It is living under the…21:49 the Islamic concept is…
Death & the hereafterFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 19, 2026.

Why we should not wait to repent

MFC Gateway, MFC Owen Brown, MFC Waterloo · Saad Tasleem

“It is living under the delusion that we will always have more time.”

The khateeb, at 4:31

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that assuming we will always have more time leads us to delay worship, repentance, and reconciliation, so remembering death should move us to live purposefully and act today.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames “later” as a destructive habit affecting worship and relationships.
  2. Distinguishes healthy future planning from assuming tomorrow is guaranteed.
  3. Uses Quranic warnings and hadith to explain attachment to worldly life and prolonged hope.
  4. Connects mortality and current suffering to the need for spiritual perspective.
  5. Defines shortening one’s hope as purposeful engagement with worldly life for Allah’s sake.
  6. Calls listeners to repent, reconcile, and pursue ihsan immediately.
Try this week
Pray regularly instead of postponing prayer.
Repent to Allah and leave sins today.
Apologize to family members and make amends promptly.
Have overdue conversations with children, spouses, parents, or others who need reconciliation.
Use current health and time to do good with ihsan.
Live worldly responsibilities with purposeful intention for Allah’s sake.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to explain that an elderly person’s heart can remain attached to worldly love and prolonged hope.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed through the square-and-line illustration to contrast limited lifespan with expansive desires.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“This word, my brothers and sisters, is the word later. I'll do it later.”
MFC Gateway · Columbia, MD
Play from 3:02
“It is living under the delusion that we will always have more time.”
MFC Gateway · Columbia, MD
Play from 4:31
“the Islamic concept is that we allow the certainty of death to change the way we live to live a life that is purpose driven to live for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
MFC Gateway · Columbia, MD
Play from 21:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah warns that the word “later” can quietly damage our worship, relationships, and repentance. Planning for the future is good, but assuming we are guaranteed more time can make us neglect what matters most. Remembering death is not meant to make us gloomy or withdraw from life; it is meant to help us use our time and blessings with purpose. We should repair relationships, return to Allah, and do good while we still have health and opportunity. The main message is simple: begin today, not later.

  1. How can remembering that life is temporary help us treat people better?
  2. What does doing our best for Allah look like this week?
Where it was given

The masjids

Muslim Family Center at Columbia Gateway7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046Jumu'ah Jumu'ah 1 12:20 PM · Jumu'ah 2 1:30 PMMuslim Family Center at Owen Brown7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045Jumu'ah 1:00 PMMuslim Family Center at Waterloo5796 Waterloo Road, Columbia, MD 21045KhateebSaad TasleemMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at MFC Gateway10 khutbahs
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