10:23 when you fear Allah…14:18 when you actually want…29:28 So take the seconds…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 3, 2026.

Taqwa grows through daily discipline

MCC East Bay

“When you fear Allah, things open up that otherwise would be closed.”

The khateeb, at 10:23

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

A functioning Muslim develops taqwa through repentance, sincere prayer, detachment from worldly distractions, disciplined time, lowered gaze, and wholehearted forgiveness.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Calls listeners to taqwa and trust Allah's provision and guidance.
  2. Urges immediate repentance instead of stubbornly accepting sinful habits.
  3. Explains that sincere prayer requires khushu and understanding what one says.
  4. Warns against loving worldly life and encourages transforming daily activities into dhikr.
  5. Teaches lowering the gaze to avoid becoming enslaved to worldly desires.
  6. Urges disciplined time management, reduced screen time, and purposeful relationships.
  7. Closes by emphasizing forgiveness and praying for those who have caused harm.
Try this week
Repent promptly whenever you recognize a sin instead of defending it as part of your identity.
Learn what you are saying in prayer and strive to pray with khushu.
Begin daily activities with remembrance such as saying bismillah and alhamdulillah.
Lower your gaze from tempting or status-oriented worldly sights.
Delete unnecessary phone apps, reduce screen time, and cut pointless conversations.
Use free time for worship, family, meaningful work, youth support, or helping someone struggling.
Forgive people who wrong you and sincerely pray for their wellbeing.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18Listeners are warned not to covet the worldly things given to others.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“when you fear Allah things open up that otherwise would be closed”
MCC East Bay · Pleasanton, CA
Play from 10:23
“when you actually want to change you go somewhere if you don't want to change you're not going to go anywhere”
MCC East Bay · Pleasanton, CA
Play from 14:18
“So take the seconds that you have, those free times Use that before it's gone And your life before you die”
MCC East Bay · Pleasanton, CA
Play from 29:28
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us to be conscious of Allah and let that awareness guide our everyday choices. We all make mistakes, but we can keep asking Allah for forgiveness and sincerely trying to change. He encouraged us to pray with understanding and feeling, so that we mean the words we say to Allah. Enjoying good things need not take over our hearts: even an ordinary drink can become a moment of gratitude and remembrance. He also encouraged us to guard our attention, use our time well, care for people who need us, and work toward forgiving others with an open heart.

  1. What is one thing you enjoyed today that you could thank Allah for?
  2. Which words in salah would you like us to learn more about together?
  3. How could we make time this week for someone who needs company or support?
Where it was given

The masjid

Muslim Community Center East Bay5724 W Las Positas Blvd, Pleasanton, CA 94588ArchiveAll khutbahs at MCC East Bay71 khutbahs
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