13:08 we have to empty our…27:01 But Ramadan should be…27:59 closer to Allah,…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 23, 2026.

Use Sha'ban to prepare for Ramadan

ISF

“Ramadan should be a month of total transformation.”

The khateeb, at 27:01

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Sha'ban should be used for repentance, fasting, worship, and habit reform so believers enter Ramadan spiritually prepared for transformation.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames Sha'ban as preparation for Ramadan, like preparing for an honored guest.
  2. Calls for repentance and purification of the heart, soul, mind, and body.
  3. Encourages fasting, Quran recitation, charity, dhikr, and other good deeds.
  4. Uses athletes, championship games, and business investments to illustrate disciplined preparation.
  5. Explains that Ramadan should transform behavior, habits, relationships, and closeness to Allah.
  6. Gives practical preparation points involving fasting, moderation, repentance, and controlling the eyes, tongue, and hands.
Try this week
Make sincere tawbah today and commit not to return to past sins.
Fast voluntarily in Sha'ban to train for Ramadan.
Increase Quran recitation and reflection.
Increase charity, feeding fasting people, dhikr, and other righteous deeds.
Audit harms done to others and take responsibility for them.
Moderate eating and drinking, remove distractions, and train the eyes, tongue, and hands to avoid wrongdoing.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 97The reward of worship during the night of decree is presented as better than 1,000 months.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“we have to empty our cups empty our hearts our souls and our bodies from all of the sins and shortcomings that we have transgressed and fallen into throughout the year.”
ISF · Frederick, MD
Play from 13:08
“But Ramadan should be a month of total transformation. Transformation of your heart, of your mind, of your intellect, of your soul, of your body, of your surroundings”
ISF · Frederick, MD
Play from 27:01
“closer to Allah, closer to the Masajid, closer to the Qur'an, Closer to our brothers and sisters in Islam and purer in our hearts and purer in our actions.”
ISF · Frederick, MD
Play from 27:59
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that Sha'ban is a chance to get ready for Ramadan before it arrives. We can prepare by asking Allah for forgiveness, fasting, reading the Quran, giving charity, and improving our habits. Ramadan is meant to transform our hearts, minds, bodies, and relationships, not just change what we eat and drink during the day. Each of us can start today by leaving distractions behind and becoming closer to Allah and more helpful to others.

  1. What is one habit you would like to strengthen before Ramadan?
  2. How can fasting train more than just our stomachs?
  3. What distraction could our family reduce together this week?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Society of Frederick1250 Key Pkwy, Frederick, MD 21702ArchiveAll khutbahs at ISF78 khutbahs
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