21:27 You have to turn back…33:14 But instead look for…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 28, 2026.

Repentance requires returning to Allah

Middle Ground

“You have to ask for My forgiveness and you have to make things right.”

The khateeb, at 21:27

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In one sentence

No matter how gravely a believer has sinned, despair is misplaced: sincere repentance requires humbly returning to Allah, submitting, repairing harms, and pursuing taqwa before it is too late.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Ramadan reflection urges listeners to contemplate the Qur'an, not merely hear it.
  2. Surah al-Zumar's hopeful message addresses both actual sins and despairing emotions.
  3. Repentance begins with honest self-accounting, a softened heart, return to Allah, submission, and making amends.
  4. The sermon warns against arrogance, delayed repentance, and regret when punishment arrives.
  5. Listeners are urged to resolve family and inheritance disputes, use wealth for lasting charity, and pursue taqwa.
  6. The khutbah closes by reaffirming Allah's forgiveness and asking for mercy.
Try this week
Read and contemplate the relevant passage in Surah al-Zumar.
Honestly identify sins and people who have been wronged.
Make tawbah and istighfar, return humbly to Allah, and submit as much as possible.
Apologize and make things right with people who have been harmed.
Settle inheritance and family affairs according to Qur'anic guidance, and stop quarrelling over possessions.
Use wealth for lasting charity such as sadaqah jariyah.
Pursue taqwa by obeying Allah as much as one can.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 39Used to teach that those who wrong themselves should not despair because Allah forgives sins.
Surah 39Used to call listeners to return, submit, follow guidance, and avoid delayed repentance.
Surah 64Used to emphasize fearing and obeying Allah as much as one can.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You have to turn back to Me. You have to ask for My forgiveness and you have to make things right.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 21:27
“But instead look for personality, look for traits, look for the qualities, look for the attributes of Allah Ta'ala.”
Middle Ground · Upland, CA
Play from 33:14
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today’s khutbah reminded us never to lose hope in Allah’s mercy, even when we have done something seriously wrong. Allah is forgiving and merciful, and the khateeb urged us to turn back to Him with honesty and humility. That means asking for forgiveness, making things right, and doing our best to obey Him. When we have hurt someone, including someone in our family, we should take steps to repair that harm. This Ramadan, we can reflect more deeply on the Quran and use the time Allah has given us to come closer to Him.

  1. What helps you ask for forgiveness when admitting a mistake feels hard?
  2. What is one way we can make things right after hurting someone’s feelings?
  3. How can our family make time to think about the Quran together this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Middle Ground Muslim Center870 N Mountain Ave, Suite 102, Upland, CA 91786Jumu'ah Khutbah 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Middle Ground29 khutbahs
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First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance2:40Islamic 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