36:59 deeds are just by how…43:02 am I doing it to…
Death & the hereafterFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 12, 2026.

A good ending reflects a faithful life

Rahma Center

“Deeds are just by how they ended, not how they started.”

The khateeb, at 36:59

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because death can come at any age and a person's final state reflects a lifetime of choices, believers should seek a good ending through sincere repentance, consistent good deeds, nightly self-accounting, and humility before Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Recent community burials prompt reflection on unpredictable death and examples of good and bad endings.
  2. Hadith emphasize that deeds are judged by their endings, steadfast hearts, and inner character rather than appearance.
  3. Stories of Yusuf, Umar, Bilal, and others illustrate longing for a faithful death and the possibility of spiritual change.
  4. Sincerity, prayer, family ties, Quran, mosque attendance, charity, and service are presented as protections against a bad ending.
  5. Repentance remains open, but believers must protect others' rights, cultivate daily dhikr, fast, and avoid arrogance.
  6. Nightly self-accounting, wudu, repentance, remembrance, and seeking Allah's love prepare believers for death.
Try this week
Examine whether good deeds are done sincerely for Allah rather than for praise or material gain.
Maintain relationships with parents and blood relatives.
Read and memorize Quran, attend the mosque, give charity, help people, and spread beneficial knowledge.
Repent and change environments that enable persistent sin.
Protect other people's material and non-material rights and avoid injustice.
Practice daily dhikr, especially repeating la ilaha illa Allah.
Fast on Mondays and Thursdays when possible.
Each night, review the day, sleep in wudu, repent, and perform dhikr before sleeping.
Ask Allah for steadfastness and a good ending while avoiding arrogance toward sinners.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 15Illustrated how a person who abandoned Islam retained one warning verse from the Quran.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“deeds are just by how they ended not how they started”
Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA
Play from 36:59
“am I doing it to please people? am I doing it for material gain?”
Rahma Center · Lake Forest, CA
Play from 43:02
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Recent funerals in the community reminded the khateeb that death can come at any age, so we should not assume we have plenty of time. A good ending is built through sincerity, prayer, good deeds, repentance, remembrance, and caring for people. Allah's door remains open even for someone who has committed terrible sins, but we must not wrong others or become proud of our own worship. Each night, we can review our day, repent, make dhikr, and sleep prepared to meet Allah. We should ask for steadfast hearts and a faithful ending while treating struggling people with hope and humility.

  1. What good deed could you make part of your weekly routine?
  2. How can our family practice a gentle nightly self-check?
  3. What does it mean to give someone hope without excusing harm?
Where it was given

The masjid

Rahma Center27121 Towne Centre Dr., Suite 150, Lake Forest, CA 92610ArchiveAll khutbahs at Rahma Center61 khutbahs
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