Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Nov 21, 2025.
Sincere intentions make deeds accepted
“My action should be for Allah to please Allah alone, not for any worldly reward.”
In one sentence
Good deeds are accepted and rewarded only when done sincerely for Allah, so believers should cultivate taqwa, avoid pride and backbiting, and guard their intentions.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Warns that three honored people may be punished because their good deeds were performed for reputation.
- Explains that life is the only opportunity for righteous action and that deeds require sincere intention.
- Urges humility and asking Allah to accept one's deeds rather than feeling guaranteed entry into Paradise.
- Retells the cave hadith, showing sincere service to parents, resistance to adultery, and protection of an employee's wages.
- Connects taqwa with resisting private sins and trusting Allah's help.
- Closes by warning that backbiting and slander can consume a person's good deeds.
Try this week
Check whom you are trying to please before beginning a good deed.
Ask Allah to accept your deeds instead of assuming they guarantee Paradise.
Develop taqwa to resist sins, especially when no one else is watching.
Avoid backbiting and slander because they can consume your good deeds.
Honor parents and protect other people's wages and rights.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 4:1Human creation and accountability are introduced alongside fear of Allah.
Quran 3:102Believers are told to fear Allah and die only as Muslims.
Quran 33:70-71Truthful speech is linked to corrected deeds and forgiven sins.
Quran 18:103-105The greatest losers are those whose worldly efforts are wasted and given no weight.
Quran 18:110Hope of meeting Allah requires righteous deeds without associating anyone in worship.
Sahih al-BukhariThe reward of migration and every action depends on the intention behind it.
Sahih al-BukhariThree sincere deeds are invoked in supplication: serving parents, resisting adultery, and preserving an employee's wages.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Without ikhlas al-niyyah, without sincerity of intention, you have not given for my sake.”
“My action should be for Allah to please Allah alone, not for any worldly reward.”
“I wait for them until morning before I give the milk to my children and my wife.”
“backbiting will eat up your good deeds like how fire eats up wood.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Allah looks not only at what we do, but why we do it. A deed done for praise or status may lose its reward, while a small deed done sincerely can be precious. The stories of caring for parents, resisting sin, and protecting an employee's wages show sincerity in action. We should ask Allah to accept our deeds, stay humble, and guard our tongues from backbiting.
- What is one kind thing you could do this week without telling anyone?
- How can we pause before repeating something about another person?
- What helps you remember Allah when you are tempted to do wrong?
Keep listening
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