Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 31, 2025.

Common sins are still forbidden

“Just because everybody's doing it, including us, doesn't make it okay.”

The khateeb, at 1:53

In one sentence

Avoid major prohibitions, do not normalize haram, and persist in istighfar while trusting Allah's mercy to provide forgiveness and a way out of struggles.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Distinguishes clear halal and haram and says personal attitude does not change the ruling.
  2. Warns against normalizing prohibited activities simply because they are common.
  3. Emphasizes avoiding major sins and trusting Allah to expiate lesser sins.
  4. Explains that unpleasant hardships can become a means of expiation.
  5. Urges abundant istighfar, asking Allah for protection, and seeking a way out.
  6. Closes by encouraging hope in Allah's mercy while continuing repentance.
Try this week
Avoid associating partners with Allah and worshipping anyone other than Allah.
Avoid disrespecting the Quran and the sacred matters of Islam.
Do not normalize prohibited actions merely because they are widespread.
Seek Allah's forgiveness abundantly and ask for His protection and a way out.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sunan Abi DawudUsed to encourage forgiveness-seeking as a means to provision and a way out.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Just because everybody's doing it, including us, doesn't make it okay.”
Al-Noor Masjid · Hillcroft / Gulfton, TX
Play from 1:53
“when we consider something wrong to be right, when we consider something haram to be halal, This is not okay.”
Al-Noor Masjid · Hillcroft / Gulfton, TX
Play from 2:12
“Don't think for a second that the things we're involved in are all okay. They're not. But also don't despair and think I'm involved in something I can't get out of.”
Al-Noor Masjid · Hillcroft / Gulfton, TX
Play from 4:30
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Allah has made some major wrongs very clear, and we should not rename them as acceptable simply because they are common. When we struggle, we should not give up or assume we are beyond mercy. We should keep asking Allah for forgiveness and protection, while trusting that hardship can also become a means of expiation. The practical message is to avoid major prohibitions, keep making istighfar, and remain hopeful that Allah will open a way forward.

  1. Where do people sometimes confuse popularity with what is right?
  2. What can you do when you are struggling but do not want to give up?
  3. What does asking Allah for forgiveness look like in everyday life?