Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 5, 2025.

Islam must be lived, not merely claimed

“Ask yourself what kind of Muslim are you?”

The khateeb, at 8:52

In one sentence

True Islam is not merely an identity or claim but informed, sincere, daily practice of the Qur'an and Sunnah, with self-accountability, family guidance, humility, and avoidance of hypocrisy and extremism.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Islam is a divine honor and guidance, but believers must examine whether they truly practice it.
  2. The hadith about seventy-three sects is used to stress following the Prophet and his companions.
  3. Surah al-Tahrim 66:6 calls believers to protect themselves and their families through religious practice and teaching.
  4. The Khawarij illustrate how outward worship can coexist with deviation, extremism, and rejection of clear teachings.
  5. The khateeb warns against taking only preferred parts of Islam, substituting ethnic identity for faith, and condemning others.
  6. He closes with self-examination, fear and hope, and prayer that Allah accept believers' deeds.
Try this week
Read Surah al-Tahrim 66:6 with your family and study its tafsir.
Learn Islam properly and review whether daily actions match stated beliefs.
Teach children and family members through shared study and practice.
Make dua for Allah to make difficult obligations easy without denying their place in Islam.
Regularly examine whether Allah has accepted your deeds and maintain both fear and hope.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 17:70Used to distinguish general human dignity from the special dignity of guidance to Islam.
Jami` at-TirmidhiUsed to argue that sound Islam follows the Prophet and his companions.
Quran 66:6Used to instruct believers to protect themselves and their families from Hell through practice and teaching.
Surah 63Recommended for understanding the seriousness of hypocrisy and the difference between claims and reality.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“it's not sufficient to say I'm a Muslim but ask yourself what kind of Muslim are you?”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 8:52
“this is the level of Khawf wa roja between fear and expectations that a Muslim has to live his life”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 26:07