Tawbah

Dear Muslims!
Today the topic of my hutbe is about repentance, Tawbah. Allah (c.c.) has created us as humans; suitable to do good and bad things. A human uses his/her mind and God’s given gifts to accomplish God’s commands. Meanwhile sometimes he/she could get stuck under the pressure of his/her emotions and willpower, simply his/her urges, which would then lead him/her to do unwanted or forbidden acts. In such case we first need to regret with our hearts.  Secondly, ask for forgiveness from Allah for the action. Finally, using our soul and body set promises not to commit that sin again. 
Sins look like stains. These spiritual stains darken person’s moral world. Praying for forgiveness and repenting (istighfar) is like water and soap, of which clean stains. Those who believe in Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, the Day of Judgment, and all of the commands of Islam, should never feel hopelessness due to their sins. They should never lose their hope from Allah. On the contrary, as an important Muslim behavior, they should be in a balance of fear and hope. 
I would like to finish my khutbah with a verse: “Those who sustain the Throne (of Allah) and those around it sing Glory and praise to their Lord; believe in him; and implore forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord!  Your Reach is over all things, in Mercy and knowledge. Forgive, then, those who turn in Repentance, and follow Your path; and preserve them from the penalty of the Blazing Fire!”  (Mü’min:  7
May Allah Almighty accept all of our repentance and forgive us for our sins!