Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, May 2, 2026.

Offset sins with good deeds

“Don't just assume that Allah will forgive you.”

The khateeb, at 27:08

In one sentence

Since we all keep sinning, we must deliberately offset our sins with good deeds, charity, Quran, and staying close to the community, rather than assuming Allah's forgiveness or deflecting reminders.

The khutbah in 9 steps

  1. Opening recitation from Surah al-Kahf (the People of the Cave)
  2. Hadith: charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire
  3. Balance sins with good deeds, the way the Prophet instructed Mu'adh ibn Jabal
  4. Bank-account analogy: deposit good deeds before your balance falls short
  5. Open the Quran when your heart is hard and salah feels heavy
  6. Don't assume sadaqah and reminders are for someone else, not you
  7. The companions feared hypocrisy in themselves; we get defensive instead
  8. Anecdote: the drinking brother who deflected advice by attacking people with beards
  9. Close: follow the Quran, the Prophet, and the companions; isolation from the community makes you an easy victim for shaytan
Try this week
Give sadaqah regularly to offset sins, and don't walk past the donation box assuming it's someone else's job
Open and recite the Quran whenever your heart feels hard or salah feels heavy
Accept reminders and advice humbly instead of getting defensive or attacking the adviser
Keep coming to the masjid and stay connected to the Muslim community instead of living in isolation
Take the Prophet and his companions as your example rather than worshipping or following any person blindly
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 18:1-14Recited at the start of the khutbah, including the story of the People of the Cave
Quran 33:56Recited before the closing salawat and du'a
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“when you feel your heart is hard when you feel you are distant when you feel the salah is heavy on you open the Quran recite some of the Quran”
Pullman Islamic Center · Pullman, WA
Play from 26:11
“don't just assume that Allah will forgive you it doesn't work like that you have to put some effort”
Pullman Islamic Center · Pullman, WA
Play from 27:08
“having a lihya does not mean that I'm better than you it just means that I'm trying to copy Rasulullah”
Pullman Islamic Center · Pullman, WA
Play from 30:50
“the danger happens when you become in isolation of other people when you choose to stop coming to the masjid”
Pullman Islamic Center · Pullman, WA
Play from 31:59