Faith must be chosen, not inherited
“We will each answer about our actions.”
Islam must be consciously chosen and strengthened through worship, reflection on Allah’s signs, and good deeds, because Judgment evaluates each person’s actions rather than inherited identity.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Challenges inherited Muslim identity and contrasts family tradition with consciously choosing Islam.
- Explains that faith is tested after the shahada and requires belief in Allah, revelation, the unseen, and Judgment.
- Introduces three levels of certainty: knowledge, seeing, and deeply realized truth.
- Uses creation, human nature, prayer, and Quran study as signs that strengthen certainty.
- Calls Muslims to resist distraction, distinguish deen from culture, and rebuild supportive communities.
- Concludes that Judgment evaluates personal actions, urging continued worship, charity, and repentance.
In the khateeb's words
“So now the question is, are we only Muslim because we follow the footsteps of those that came before us? Or are we Muslim because we choose Islam?”
“If I knew that I was going to stand before Allah at one point and answer for everything that I did in this dunya, I might act just a little differently.”
“So until we die, we increase our good deeds. When something bad happens to us, or something that we perceive as bad, increase your sadaqah, increase your worship, turn back to Allah.”
“And we will all stand before Allah and we will not answer about our ancestry or our lineage or the fact that my father was Muslim. Rather, we will each answer about our actions.”
For the dinner table
Being Muslim is not only something we inherit from our family; it is a faith we choose and keep strengthening. The khutbah explains that certainty can grow through learning, noticing Allah’s signs in creation and ourselves, and continuing worship even when doubts arise. Prayer, fasting, charity, Quran study, and turning back to Allah help faith take root. We should also separate Islam from cultural habits that conflict with it and build communities where people care for one another. In the end, Allah will judge each of us by our own actions, not our ancestry.
- When do you feel you are choosing faith for yourself?
- What is one sign in nature or your own life that makes you think deeply about Allah?
- What good deed can our family do this week?
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
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.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness