Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Mar 13, 2026.

Allah’s acceptance matters more than our deeds

“Acceptance is even more important than our deed.”

The khateeb, at 7:37

In one sentence

Because Allah’s mercy and acceptance remain open, believers should not despair but use Ramadan’s final days to repent, intensify worship, and finish strongly.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Fasting is worship, but deeds must be accompanied by seeking Allah’s acceptance.
  2. Remembering Allah brings divine remembrance, while neglecting Him leads to spiritual hardship.
  3. Ramadan welcomes returning worshippers, and sincere repentance remains available without shame.
  4. Quranic teachings and prophetic supplications emphasize Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and acceptance of tawbah.
  5. Worldly responsibilities are permissible but must remain secondary to worship.
  6. The final days call for increased prayer, Quran, charity, i'tikaf, family worship, and striving for Laylatul Qadr.
Try this week
Ask Allah to accept your Ramadan deeds.
Repent sincerely and return to Allah without despair.
Attend the masjid or practice i'tikaf, even for a short period.
Increase Quran reading, sunnah, taraweeh, and tahajjud.
Give sadaqah and make the Laylatul Qadr supplication.
Wake family members for worship during the final nights.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Acceptance is even more important than our deed. Because what about if you do it and Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala doesn't take it?”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 7:37
“No one has that right. Why? Because this is house of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. That brother comes back to masjid of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala seeking for Allah's pleasure, not your pleasure.”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 11:10
“But the first thing that you have to give priority to is ibadah of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 23:17
“What matters is what you do now. Try to read Quran. Even if you can still cannot finish it, but you're serious about it.”
Uqbah · Cleveland, OH
Play from 28:33
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that we should ask Allah to accept our worship, just as Ibrahim and Ismail did. He urged us not to despair of Allah's mercy, because we can turn back to Him and seek forgiveness. Someone returning to the masjid should be welcomed, without being questioned about how long they have been away. Even the desire to repent is a gift from Allah that we can act on. As Ramadan comes to an end, we can help one another make time for prayer, Quran, charity, and asking forgiveness, while focusing on what we can do now.

  1. What could you say to help someone feel welcome when they come back to the masjid?
  2. What does the khutbah teach us about trying again after making a mistake?