7:58 what sins have I…9:23 What we say, what we…13:01 Ramadan cleanses and…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 16, 2026.

Prepare your heart before Ramadan

ICLI

“Ramadan cleanses and changes, but it only changes hearts that are prepared.”

The khateeb, at 13:01

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Because the heart is a trust from Allah and the basis of meaningful worship, believers should cleanse it, guard what enters it, and anchor it to Allah before Ramadan so worship transforms them.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. The heart is an amanat from Allah, and only a sound heart benefits a person on Qiyamah.
  2. A corrupted heart reduces fasting, prayer, and Quran recitation to outward forms without inner change.
  3. Believers should examine resentment, pride, normalized sins, and spiritual heaviness, using repentance to revive the heart.
  4. Before Ramadan, empty the heart, guard what enters through the senses and thoughts, and anchor it to Allah through dua.
  5. Listeners should begin building masjid, Quran, and worship habits now so they continue after Ramadan.
  6. The khutbah closes with announcements about a janazah prayer and the Road to Ramadan community event.
Try this week
Ask which people you are still angry with and which sins you have normalized.
Seek forgiveness, let go of resentment, and release false pride.
Guard what enters your heart through your eyes, ears, tongue, and thoughts.
Make the Prophetic dua asking Allah to keep your heart firm upon the deen.
Begin regular masjid, Quran, and worship habits before Ramadan.
Attend the janazah prayer after Isha if able and join the Road to Ramadan event.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“what sins have I stopped feeling guilty for that I'm doing in my life?”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 7:58
“What we say, what we see, what we hear, what we think, all directly impacts our heart.”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 9:23
“Ramadan cleanses and changes, but it only changes hearts that are prepared.”
ICLI · Westbury, NY
Play from 13:01
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Mufti M. Farhan teaches that the heart is an amanat, or trust, from Allah, and we will answer for how we cared for it. Ramadan can transform us only when we prepare by releasing resentment, repenting from sins we have normalized, and letting go of false pride. We should guard what reaches the heart through our eyes, ears, tongues, and thoughts. He encourages us to anchor ourselves to Allah through the Prophet's dua and to build habits with the masjid and Quran before Ramadan begins. The goal is to meet Ramadan with a heart ready to receive its guidance and to carry that consistency afterward.

  1. What is one habit you could start now to prepare your heart for Ramadan?
  2. Which things you see, hear, say, or think most affect your heart?
  3. What does letting go of resentment look like in our family?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Long Island835 Brush Hollow Rd, Westbury, NY 11590ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICLI48 khutbahs
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