Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Aug 22, 2026.

Return to Allah through daily repentance

“The best of humanity are those that ask for forgiveness.”

The khateeb, at 20:24

In one sentence

Because every person sins, believers should respond to hardship and failure by sincerely returning to Allah through repentance and a daily habit of istighfar, never despairing of His forgiveness.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. The khateeb opens with taqwa, the testimony of faith, and the authority of the Quran and Sunnah.
  2. A story from Hasan al-Basri presents istighfar as advice for poverty, drought, and childlessness.
  3. Quranic passages connect sin with lost barakah and calamity, while presenting hardship as a reminder to return to Allah.
  4. The Prophet’s repeated seeking of forgiveness and teachings about human fallibility reinforce repentance as a normal part of faith.
  5. The khutbah explains taqwa and describes the muttaqin as people who remember Allah and seek forgiveness after sinning.
  6. Listeners are urged to set a daily time for saying Astaghfirullah during ordinary moments.
  7. The sermon closes with hope in Allah’s forgiveness, salawat, supplication, row-filling reminders, and community announcements.
Try this week
Set a specific time each day to say Astaghfirullah.
Repeat Astaghfirullah while walking, driving, or during idle phone time.
After committing a sin, remember Allah, seek forgiveness, and turn back in repentance.
Fill empty spaces in the masjid and prayer rows to make room for others.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 71:10-12Uses Nuh’s call to connect seeking forgiveness with rain, wealth, children, gardens, and rivers.
Quran 30:41Connects corruption in land and sea with what people’s hands have earned.
Quran 42:30Teaches that calamities may result from people’s deeds while Allah pardons much.
Quran 11:52Connects forgiveness and repentance with rain and increased strength.
Quran 3:133-136Describes the muttaqin as those who hasten toward forgiveness and seek forgiveness after sinning.
Quran 39:53Urges sinful servants not to despair and promises Allah’s forgiveness.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“How much better would we be if we took that time To say "Astaghfirullah" To ask Allah for forgiveness Ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for relief”
Toronto Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON
Play from 14:59
“but Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is saying come to me and I will forgive you ask me for forgiveness and I will forgive you”
Toronto Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON
Play from 18:25
“the best of those sinners meaning the best of the children of Adam the best of humanity are those that ask for forgiveness turn to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in repentance”
Toronto Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON
Play from 20:24
“So take this time take this opportunity and commit to turning back to Allah SWT Asking Allah SWT and increasing in istighfar Asking Allah for forgiveness”
Toronto Islamic Centre · Toronto, ON
Play from 24:59
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us that everyone makes mistakes, and the best response is to return to Allah with repentance. The speaker taught that sins can remove barakah and that hardships should remind us to seek forgiveness. We were encouraged to build a daily habit of saying “Astaghfirullah,” especially while walking, driving, or using our phones. Taqwa means creating a barrier from Allah’s punishment by obeying Him and avoiding what He forbids. The masjid also reminded us to make room for other worshippers and support the community.

  1. What is one ordinary moment when you could say Astaghfirullah?
  2. What does it look like to return to Allah after making a mistake?
  3. How can we make more room for people in the masjid?