9:38 the easiest part of…13:02 Their social media…18:57 Recognize and identify…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 3, 2026.

Ramadan fasting should discipline the whole self

IAGD

“The easiest part of fasting is to leave eating and drinking.”

The khateeb, at 9:38

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan fasting should move beyond abstaining from food and drink toward disciplining the body, senses, heart, and sins so believers can taste the sweetness of worship.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Fasting has different spiritual levels despite identical outward actions.
  2. Imam al-Ghazali's three levels are the fasting of the masses, the elite, and the elite of the elite.
  3. Basic fasting restrains food and drink, while higher fasting disciplines the senses, speech, finances, relationships, and online habits.
  4. The highest level is fasting with ihsan and a heart emptied of distractions besides Allah.
  5. Lack of spiritual sweetness should prompt honest examination of sins and barriers.
  6. The nafs must be disciplined through useful knowledge, noble company, persistence, and resistance to sin.
  7. The final nights of Ramadan should produce genuine transformation and readiness for Laylatul Qadr.
Try this week
Identify one sin or barrier that is blocking spiritual growth.
Isolate and overcome that sin before Ramadan ends.
Reduce social media and replace it with useful knowledge.
Surround yourself with noble and spiritually supportive people.
Discipline the eyes, ears, tongue, relationships, finances, and online behavior.
Use the final nights for sincere prayer, worship, and seeking Laylatul Qadr.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 1Used to frame worship as seeking Allah's guidance and help.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the easiest part of fasting is to leave eating and drinking.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 9:38
“Their social media browsing hours are substantially reduced. Their conversation with a non-mahram behind closed doors are put an end to.”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 13:02
“Recognize and identify that sin. and then isolate that sin, and then overcome that sin, so that you can allow yourself to enjoy the spring of the month of Ramadan”
IAGD · Rochester Hills, MI
Play from 18:57
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that fasting is about more than going without food and drink. He described deeper levels of fasting that include guarding our words and actions and keeping our hearts focused on Allah. He encouraged us to look honestly at habits and strained relationships that need attention, then work to change them. Useful learning, good company, and steady effort were some of the ways he suggested training our nafs, or inner self. As Ramadan draws to a close, he urged us to seek lasting change so that we leave the month closer to Allah and carry better behavior into the rest of the year.

  1. What would it look like for our words to fast along with our stomachs?
  2. What is one good habit from Ramadan you would like our family to keep?
  3. What useful thing could we learn together instead of spending that time scrolling?
Where it was given

The masjid

IAGD Masjid879 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307Jumu'ah Three Jumu'ahs · 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at IAGD78 khutbahs
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