Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Return to Allah through life’s changes

“We are not judged by how we are questioned, but we are judged by how we choose to answer.”

The khateeb, at 15:59

In one sentence

Because change is woven into creation, believers should treat life’s highs and lows as reminders to return to Allah, use their blessings for good, and respond through faithful choices rather than judging themselves by circumstances.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Opens with tawhid, seeking guidance, and Quranic reminders about hardship and human responsibility.
  2. Uses day and night, rain, and metamorphosis as examples of change and cycles in creation.
  3. Explains that life’s ups and downs activate fitrah and return people toward Allah and balance.
  4. Argues that people are judged by their choices and deeds, not by feelings or circumstances.
  5. Warns listeners to use health, wealth, youth, time, and life before losing them.
  6. Concludes by urging remembrance, good example, stewardship, prayer, and trust that hardship comes with ease.
Try this week
Remember Allah when circumstances change instead of assuming abandonment.
Use health, wealth, youth, time, and life for good before they are lost.
Reorient toward balanced faith through prayer and remembrance during highs and lows.
Complete obligatory prayer even when tired or inconvenient.
Be a good example, caretaker of the earth, and source of guidance to others.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Our lives are like neither of those situations. Alhamdulillah. we have movements up and down that remind us, that activate our fitrah and turn our souls back to their source.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 12:40
“It is by the infinite wisdom and mercy and love of Allah . that we are not judged. by how we are questioned but we are judged by how we choose to answer.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 15:59
“It is that you lived your whole life. with the ability and chances aplenty gifted to you by Allah to do good. but they passed you by.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 20:25
“Allah is with you on that point. closer to you than you are close to yourself. closer to you than your own jugular vein.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 23:23
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Allah created life with rhythms of change, like day and night, rain, and the growth of living things. Our own highs and lows can wake up our fitrah and turn our hearts back toward Allah. The khateeb reminded us to use our health, wealth, youth, time, and life for good before any of them changes or ends. Losing a blessing is not the deepest loss; the deepest loss is missing the chance to do good while we had it. Whatever season we are in, we can remember Allah, choose good actions, and trust that hardship comes with ease.

  1. Which blessing do you want to use more wisely this week?
  2. What change in your life has helped you remember Allah?
  3. What is one good action you can take before an opportunity passes?