25:08 God did not create you…78:00 It's very human to…78:22 But it's very demonic…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 22, 2025.

Turn from sin and trust Allah's mercy

ICC Tempe

“God did not create you to be punished.”

The khateeb, at 25:08

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because human weakness and sin are natural, believers should respond without excuses by humbly turning to Allah through repentance and persistent istighfar, trusting His mercy and relief.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames human weakness, forgetfulness, and sin as part of humanity's created nature.
  2. Contrasts Adam and Hawa's humble repentance with Iblis's excuses and rebellion.
  3. Uses Qur'anic reminders to encourage immediate remembrance, sincere tawbah, and seeking forgiveness.
  4. Illustrates divine mercy through the hadith of a sinner who comes to the mosque and prays.
  5. Presents persistent istighfar as a path to relief, escape from hardship, and unexpected provision.
  6. Encourages replacing a sinful habit with dhikr and closes with prayers for oppressed communities.
Try this week
Immediately acknowledge wrongdoing instead of making excuses.
Turn to Allah through prayer, repentance, and frequent istighfar after sinning.
Make amends after mistakes and seek trusted advice when guidance is needed.
Replace a specific sinful habit, such as foul speech, with dhikr.
Maintain commitment to prayer and the mosque.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 24Commands believers to turn to Allah together so they may succeed.
Sahih al-BukhariShows a young man receiving forgiveness after turning to prayer and the mosque following a major sin.
Sunan Abi DawudPromises relief from hardship, emotional distress, and unexpected provision for those who persist in istighfar.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“God did not create you to be punished. God did not create you to experience His wrath. God created you so that you can know His mercy.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 25:08
“It's very human to sin. We all do it. It's very natural to sin. We are created to forget.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 78:00
“But it's very demonic to justify it. That is the sunnah of shaitan.”
ICC Tempe · Tempe, AZ
Play from 78:22
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that we all make mistakes, but what we do afterward matters. Adam and Hawa showed us how to take responsibility and ask Allah for forgiveness instead of making excuses. Turning back to Allah means sincerely changing our direction, remembering Him, and seeking His mercy. The story of a young man who came to the mosque after sinning reminds us to turn toward Allah even when we feel ashamed. We can also work on one lasting change, like speaking more kindly, while continuing to ask Allah for forgiveness and help.

  1. What could taking responsibility sound like after someone says something hurtful?
  2. What might help you remember Allah when you feel embarrassed about a mistake?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Community Center of Tempe131 E 6th St, Tempe, AZ 85281Jumu'ah 12:30 to 1:00 PM · 1:30 to 2:00 PM · 2:40 to 3:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICC Tempe52 khutbahs
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