Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jul 4, 2026.
Repentance is the fastest way to change
MAPS Redmond, MAPS Seattle · Mohamed Joban
“If you know God you will fall in love.”
In one sentence
At-tawbah (repentance) is the fastest way to change your life because it moves through real stages, regret, resolve, reset, and redeem, and is met by Allah's eagerness to forgive and even transform past sins into good deeds.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Tawbah transformed the Sahaba from a divided, uncivilized people into leaders of civilization in a single generation.
- Tawbah in Islam has four stages: regret (nadhm), resolve to stop (azim), reset/start anew, and redeem/make up for the sin.
- Repentance must be constant, shown by Umar ibn al-Khattab's lifelong fear of hypocrisy despite being promised Paradise.
- People delay tawbah through three obstacles: justifying sin like Iblis, denying it is sin, and becoming complacent so sin feels normal, such as arriving late to Jumu'ah.
- Allah commands renewed repentance even after good deeds and victories, such as after Hajj, Ramadan, and the conquest of Makkah.
- Knowing Allah's mercy removes fear of returning to Him: He is happier than the man who found his lost camel, and He turns bad deeds into good deeds for sincere repentance.
- Closing supplication asking Allah to make the congregation among those who constantly repent and return to Him.
Try this week
Feel genuine regret (nadhm) for sins instead of dismissing them.
Make a firm intention and resolve never to repeat the sin.
Reset immediately when you learn something is haram, like the Sahaba who poured out the wine when it was prohibited.
Redeem the sin by making up missed prayers, paying due zakat, and returning the rights of people you have wronged.
Come to Jumu'ah before the imam stands, treating Allah's call with more urgency than a boss's meeting.
Say astaghfirullah after every act of worship and after spiritual victories, including Ramadan and Hajj.
Stop justifying sins such as backbiting, riba, or spousal abuse by blaming circumstances.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 10Cited as the words of Adam/Yunus, 'I have wronged myself,' to show that regret is the first stage of tawbah.
Sahih al-BukhariReward of one year's worship for every step taken to Jumu'ah before the imam stands, used to urge punctuality for prayer.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“the answer in one word in Arabic call at-tawbah repentance that's the key of change repentance tawbah but tawbah in Islam not like the other religion”
“taubah is action and the last air are is redeem redeem you make up you pay off if you use before you miss a lot of salat make up after them you pray”
“one of the reason people sometimes didn't want to go back to Allah immediately because they didn't know Allah strongly because if you know God you will fall in love”
“Allah change all 75 years sin become good deed can you find God like Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah taught that tawbah, or repentance, is the key to real change and helped the early Muslims become better people. Sincere repentance begins with regret, a firm decision not to return to the sin, a fresh start, and repairing harm by fulfilling duties or returning people’s rights. We were warned not to excuse, deny, or become comfortable with sins. Tawbah is not only a one-time act; we should keep returning to Allah and asking for forgiveness. Allah is generous and happy when we come back, so we should never delay repentance or lose hope.
- What is one small change you could make this week after asking Allah for forgiveness?
- Why do you think the khutbah warned us not to make excuses for wrong choices?
- What does it mean to repair harm after making a mistake?
Where it was given
The masjids
Keep listening
More on Repentance & taqwa
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2:40Islamic Association of · Flower Mound, TX · Oct 24, 2026Repentance begins a life of self-discipline“Whilst you are alive, whilst you are reading, whilst you are even sitting in the masjid now, you can do Tawba with Allah.”
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