Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 17, 2026.
Hardship can bring you back to Allah
“If a sickness brings you to Allah, that sickness is a blessing.”
In one sentence
Worldly hardships can be merciful divine corrections that call believers back to obedience, self-accounting, generosity, and Allah before the final judgment.
The khutbah in 4 steps
- Introduces Surah al-Qalam’s garden story as a warning about wrongdoing.
- Explains how the heirs withheld the poor’s share and neglected Allah’s will.
- Describes the garden’s destruction, their blame, repentance, and recognition of error.
- Presents worldly suffering as merciful correction rather than merely punishment.
Try this week
Interpret hardships spiritually and consider whether they are calling you back to Allah.
Audit your income and conduct for wrongdoing, harm, or taking someone’s rights.
Correct wrong actions, repent, return to Allah, and remain grateful.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 68The garden story illustrates the consequences of withholding the poor’s share and the opportunity for repentance.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“if you get your punishment in this life and you correct you're the biggest winner”
“if a sickness brings you to Allah that sickness is a blessing is a hidden blessing”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches through the story of people who tried to keep their harvest from the poor, only to lose the entire garden. Their loss became a lesson that Allah may use worldly hardships to correct us and bring us back to Him. When something difficult happens, we should examine our choices, our income, and how we treat other people. We can respond with repentance, correction, and gratitude, trusting that Allah’s mercy is greater than we may immediately understand.
- What is one hardship that taught you something important?
- How can we check whether we have hurt someone or taken what belongs to them?
- What does thanking Allah look like when life is difficult?
Where it was given
The masjid
Islamic Center of Western Suburbs (ICWS)28W774 Army Trail Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185Jumu'ah “Khutbah 1 | 1:05 | pm; Jamaat 1 | 1:25 | pm; Khutbah 2 | 1:35 | pm; Jamaat 2 | 1:55 | pm” (Bartlett location). “Khutbah | 1:15 | pm; Jamaat | 1:35 | pm” (West Chicago location).ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of48 khutbahs
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