4:38 That is the trick of…22:16 it's actually not a…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 6, 2026.

Ramadan fasting should build lasting taqwa

ICNVT · Omar Popal

“He will make you focus on your sin so that you stop your obedience.”

The khateeb, at 4:38

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In one sentence

The true purpose of Ramadan fasting is to develop taqwa through guarding speech, actions, attention, and time while worshipping Allah with sincere intention.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces taqwa as the purpose of fasting, using Quranic and prophetic guidance.
  2. Explains that fasting without abandoning evil speech and actions produces only hunger and thirst.
  3. Identifies backbiting, lying, false news, false oaths, profanity, and lustful viewing as obstacles to transformation.
  4. Urges individuals, families, and communities to plan for Ramadan, including technology boundaries and visible reminders.
  5. Applies prophetic guidance to organizing time for prayer, Quran, service, isolation, and avoiding arguments or food complaints.
  6. Concludes that Ramadan should be focused on sincerity for Allah, renewal, reflection, and lasting transformation.
Try this week
Make a Ramadan plan now, including which apps to delete or pause and whether to take a social-media fast.
Guard the tongue and eyes by avoiding lying, backbiting, false news, profanity, false oaths, and lustful viewing.
Organize time around prayer, dua, Quran, work, service, and worship instead of sleeping through the daytime.
Set regular periods of phone-free isolation for worship and coordinate them with the family.
Serve fasting people through cooking or hosting iftar, and avoid complaining about food.
When provoked, say “I am fasting,” turn away, and refuse to engage in foolish behavior.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:183Establishes fasting as a means of attaining taqwa.
Sahih al-BukhariWarns that abandoning neither evil speech nor evil actions leaves fasting spiritually empty.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“That is the trick of the devil He will make you Focus on your sin So that you stop Your obedience”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 4:38
“it's actually not a month for people we happen to have people it's not a month for community we happen to have community”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 22:16
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Ramadan is not only about staying hungry and thirsty; it is meant to build taqwa and change how we speak, act, and spend our time. We should keep worshipping Allah even while working to leave sinful habits behind. Preparing ahead can help us protect our eyes and tongues, organize prayer and Quran time, and create peaceful moments for worship at home. Serving others is also worship, but we should not let food, arguments, phones, or social customs distract us from Allah. Above all, Ramadan should renew our sincerity so that our fasting is truly for Allah.

  1. What is one habit you could change so your fasting changes your character too?
  2. What would a realistic phone-free worship period look like for our family?
  3. How can we serve others during Ramadan without losing sight of Allah?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Northern Virginia Trust4420 Shirley Gate Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030Jumu'ah 11:30 AM · 1:15 PM · 2:15 PMKhateebOmar PopalMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICNVT108 khutbahs
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