8:30 But Islam introduces…17:30 Ramadan comes to arm…29:10 So the month of…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 23, 2026.

Train your soul before Ramadan

Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center · Basel Hamdeh

“The month of Shaaban is a month where we are training ourselves.”

The khateeb, at 29:10

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In one sentence

As Ramadan approaches, believers should make the struggle against the nafs their central battle by training in Sha'ban, strengthening prayer and fasting, and orienting worldly life toward Allah and the Hereafter.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Identifies the struggle against the nafs as the believer's central battle, illustrated through Umar ibn al-Khattab's humility.
  2. Contrasts the fleeting dunya with the Hereafter and defines true success as sincere righteous action.
  3. Frames Ramadan as training for purifying the nafs, with Sha'ban serving as preparation.
  4. Urges listeners to prioritize Fajr and Isha, especially in the masjid, as practical tests of spiritual strength.
  5. Highlights fasting in Sha'ban as preparation, continuity in worship, and resistance to desire.
  6. Closes with prayers for purification, Ramadan, the community, and suffering people in Gaza.
Try this week
Prepare for Ramadan during Sha'ban by training the nafs and purifying the heart.
Prioritize the five daily prayers, especially Fajr and Isha.
Set alarms and make the effort to attend Fajr and Isha in the masjid.
Fast during Sha'ban to build continuity and discipline before Ramadan.
Intend eating, drinking, and sleeping as support for serving Allah, turning ordinary bodily needs into worship.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“But Islam introduces to us this unmatched, balanced concept, which is the concept of the struggle against our nafs.”
Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center · Boonton, NJ
Play from 8:30
“Ramadan comes to arm us to prevail in this battle against our nafs.”
Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center · Boonton, NJ
Play from 17:30
“So the month of Shaaban is a month where we are training ourselves. It is a training camp. And Ramadan is basically the arena.”
Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center · Boonton, NJ
Play from 29:10
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that our most important struggle is often inside ourselves: learning to control desires and live for Allah. As Ramadan approaches, Sha'ban is a chance to practice, especially through prayer, fasting, and better intentions. Even eating, sleeping, and other ordinary needs can become worship when they help us serve Allah. The speaker encouraged us to strengthen our connection with the masjid and prayed for our community and people suffering in Gaza.

  1. What is one habit you could practice now to prepare for Ramadan?
  2. How can waking up for Fajr show real strength?
  3. What ordinary activity could become worship through a better intention?
Where it was given

The masjid

Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center110 Harrison Street, Boonton, NJ 07005Jumu'ah Jumuah 1:00 PMKhateebBasel HamdehMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center22 khutbahs
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