Winter is a season for worship
“Fasting in the winter is the easy prize and trophy of the believer, so take full advantage of it.”
Winter is a prime opportunity for believers to increase worship through night prayer, Quran engagement, fasting, religious concessions, and reflection on how they spend their time.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Presents winter as an opportunity because of short days, long nights, and religious concessions.
- Encourages night prayer, even one rak'ah, during winter's longer nights.
- Recommends reading, memorizing, reviewing, and learning the Quran.
- Promotes fasting short winter days and highlights its reward.
- Explains wiping over khuffs or socks, including conditions and time limits.
- Urges listeners to examine their use of time through Mu'adh ibn Jabal's regret.
In the khateeb's words
“it is not by staying up late upon sin evil and immorality however it is a time in which we must take full advantage”
“fasting in the winter is the easy prize and trophy of the believer so take full advantage of it”
“i'm crying because i can no longer fast i can no longer go hungry and go thirsty when i fast and i can no longer stand in prayer at night for my lord”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that winter can be a special opportunity to grow closer to Allah. Its long nights give us time to rest, pray, and read or learn the Qur'an, while its short days make fasting easier. He encouraged us to make room for night prayer, even if we begin with just one rak'ah. He also explained the concession of wiping over socks or leather footwear during wudu and the conditions he taught for using it. He ended by asking us to reflect honestly on our precious time and how we use it to benefit ourselves, our families, and others.
- What is one small act of worship you would like to make time for on a winter evening?
- How could we make learning or reading the Qur'an together part of our family routine?
- What could we do with our time this week that we would feel thankful for afterward?
More on the Islamic calendar
Never miss a salah during this free time.16:04Muslim Neighbour Nexus · Mississauga, ON · Jul 25, 2026Use summer time for what matters