Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 3, 2026.

Taqwa requires daily struggle and obedience

“Allah does not expect perfection from us but He expects us to struggle.”

The khateeb, at 4:28

In one sentence

Taqwa requires a daily struggle against personal desires and consistent obedience to Allah and His Messenger, supported by congregational worship, so believers can die in a state of Islam.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Defines taqwa as fearing Allah and striving to obey Him, linking it to dying as a Muslim.
  2. Contrasts worldly desire with self-restraint to connect taqwa with Hellfire or Paradise.
  3. Warns that even pious people lack a guarantee of a faithful death and must guard against doubts.
  4. Argues that sincere devotion includes obedience to the Prophet and lawful family authority, not just voluntary worship.
  5. Uses Ibrahim and Ismail's willingness to sacrifice to illustrate complete surrender to Allah.
  6. Calls listeners to daily taqwa and regular masjid jama'ah to resist worldly drift and division.
Try this week
Work on taqwa daily by identifying and restraining personal desires, especially when obedience is difficult.
Obey Allah and His Messenger, and obey parents or a spouse in matters that are not sinful.
Attend congregational prayer at the masjid as often as possible, ideally daily, and arrive for Jumu'ah and the khutbah on time.
Guard against online arguments that plant doubt about Allah or the afterlife, rather than entertaining or spreading them.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 79Contrasts preferring worldly life with restraining desire and attaining Paradise.
Surah 12Yusuf's supplication to die in Islam illustrates the seriousness of a faithful ending.
Surah 1Repeatedly asking for guidance shows the believer's continuing need for the straight path.
Surah 24Links obedience to Allah and the Messenger with guidance and mercy.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Allah does not expect perfection from us but He expects us to struggle”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 4:28
“you need something to bring you back that's why Allah prescribed the jama'a and listening to the khutbah coming on time for that reason”
Daar-ul-Ehsaan · Bristol, CT
Play from 24:45
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that taqwa means taking Allah seriously, especially when obedience is difficult. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to keep struggling against harmful desires and ask Allah to let us die as Muslims. That obedience includes following Allah and His Messenger, and respecting parents or a spouse in matters that are not sinful. Regular salah, arriving for Jumu'ah on time, and praying with the community can bring us back when work, money, and everyday life pull us away. We can make this week a chance to choose one difficult act of obedience and reconnect with the masjid.

  1. What is one distraction or desire that can pull you away from doing what is right?
  2. What helps you feel connected to Allah and the masjid during a busy week?
  3. Why might doing the right thing be harder when nobody else sees us?