Fasting trains us to grow in taqwa
“Fasting alone does not guarantee taqwa.”
Ramadan’s fasting is meant to cultivate taqwa by disciplining desire and anger while awakening reason, spiritual awareness, worship, kindness, and community care.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Ramadan fasting as a means toward taqwa, not an automatic guarantee of it.
- Explains taqwa as self-protection and distinguishes the universal community of believers from tribal identity.
- Uses the concepts of ruh, nafs, appetite, anger, and reason to explain fasting as restraint.
- Recommends Quran recitation and study, dua, dhikr, forgiveness at suhoor, and tarawih.
- Expands sadaqah beyond money to include smiles, guidance, assistance, removing hazards, polite speech, and hospitality.
- Closes with reminders about charity, iftar, avoiding harmful speech, lifelong learning, and prayers for the deceased and congregation.
In the khateeb's words
“Fasting alone does not guarantee taqwa. It's the understanding the rationale behind the fasting, paying attention to it, controlling our bodily desires, controlling our anger, self-discipline, which inshallah wa ta'ala, will help us reach the level of muttaqun.”
“Everybody has a story. Everybody is suffering. If somebody was mean to you. Maybe there was something wrong. He was having a bad day.”
“Throughout his life the prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam remained a lifelong student.”
For the dinner table
Ramadan is more than going without food and drink; it is a chance to grow in taqwa, or careful self-protection from sin and harmful impulses. Fasting should help us control anger, speak kindly, and let our better, God-given reason guide us. The khateeb encouraged families to fill the month with Quran, dua, dhikr, suhoor-time forgiveness, tarawih, charity, welcoming others for iftar, and acts of everyday kindness. He reminded us that a smile, helping someone, removing a danger, or offering companionship can all be sadaqah. He closed by asking Allah to forgive us, show mercy to the deceased, and unite the community in Paradise.
- What is one kind thing you can do this week that does not involve money?
- How can we make suhoor a time to remember Allah and ask forgiveness?
- What can we say or do when someone makes us angry?
More on Ramadan & fasting
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