14:02 Too often we worry…15:29 What are we doing to…19:20 Fasting is a great way…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 31, 2026.

Prepare your heart before Ramadan

Dar Ulislam · Bilal ibn Yusuf

“Fasting is a great way to cleanse yourself, purify your heart, prepare yourself.”

The khateeb, at 19:20

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In one sentence

Sha'ban should be used as an intentional spiritual reset through fasting, remembrance, renewed faith, and forgiving others so believers enter Ramadan with attentive hearts.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Introduces Zayd ibn Harithah and the Prophet’s treatment of him as a son.
  2. Uses Usama ibn Zayd’s observation of the Prophet’s fasting to explain Sha'ban’s neglected status.
  3. Contrasts outward religious activity with inward heedlessness and absent hearts.
  4. Presents fasting and the 15th of Sha'ban as opportunities for purification and forgiveness.
  5. Urges renewing faith through frequent dhikr, especially La ilaha illallah.
  6. Calls for nightly self-auditing, forgiveness, and releasing resentment before Ramadan.
  7. Closes with a practical weekend plan for entering Ramadan with a clean slate.
Try this week
Fast as much of Sha'ban as possible, while avoiding the final day as advised.
Set aside distraction-free time with Allah each day.
Repeat La ilaha illallah frequently, including during driving or exercise.
Review the day before sleeping and forgive people who caused resentment.
Enter Ramadan with a cleansed heart and renewed faith.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 1Named during the opening recitation.
Surah 33Used to explain that adopted children should retain their biological fathers’ names.
Sunan Ibn MajahCited for special mercy and forgiveness on the 15th of Sha'ban, with scholarly debate acknowledged.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Too often we worry about our space and not about our state.”
Dar Ulislam · Walnut Creek, CA
Play from 14:02
“What are we doing to prepare our heart, that internal state of ours until we get to the month of Ramadan?”
Dar Ulislam · Walnut Creek, CA
Play from 15:29
“Fasting is a great way to cleanse yourself, purify your heart, prepare yourself.”
Dar Ulislam · Walnut Creek, CA
Play from 19:20
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminds us that Sha’ban is a time to prepare our hearts for Ramadan. Through the story of young Osama noticing the Prophet’s fasting, he shows how children learn by watching the people around them. He asks us to bring our attention and hearts into worship instead of simply going through the motions. He encourages fasting, remembering Allah, and making time with Him part of our preparation. He also urges us to review our day before bed and work on forgiving others, so we enter Ramadan with hearts more ready for worship.

  1. What good habit have you learned by watching someone in our family?
  2. What could help you pay more attention during prayer?
  3. What small change could our family start this week to prepare our hearts for Ramadan?
Where it was given

The masjid

Dar Ulislam2449 Buena Vista Avenue, Walnut creek, CA 94597Jumu'ah "First Khotba at 1:30 PM, Prayer at 2:00 PM"; "Second Khotba at 2:30 PM, Prayer at 3:00 PM"KhateebBilal ibn YusufMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Dar Ulislam5 khutbahs
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