4:28 Ramadan is that one…6:59 Are we going to race…10:40 Leaky bucket syndrome.…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 7, 2026.

Ramadan is a chance to invest in the afterlife

ICUC

“Ramadan is that one opportunity once a year for you to invest in your dunya and your akhira.”

The khateeb, at 4:28

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan is a uniquely valuable opportunity to invest in the afterlife through sincere, consistent worship while repairing sinful habits that leak away one's rewards.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Uses a stock-market crash as a metaphor for worldly instability and divine dependence.
  2. Presents Ramadan as a once-yearly opportunity to multiply spiritual investment.
  3. Explains that intentions and deeds can receive multiplied rewards.
  4. Warns that slander, backbiting, and other sins create a “leaky bucket.”
  5. Recommends consistent small deeds, daily dhikr, and renewed Quran reading.
  6. Urges listeners to avoid wasting Ramadan through missed prayers, gossip, and excessive socializing.
  7. Closes with prayers for forgiveness, Ramadan, and people suffering in Gaza and Sudan.
Try this week
Set the intention now to make this Ramadan your best and work toward it.
Choose one small deed and practice it consistently through Ramadan and beyond.
Perform daily dhikr, such as saying “SubhanAllah subhanAllah” ten times.
Begin or resume reading the Quran regularly.
Attend the full congregational prayer and Taraweeh, avoid missing Isha, and avoid gossip and wasteful socializing.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Ramadan is that one opportunity once a year for you to invest in your dunya and your akhira.”
ICUC · Union, NJ
Play from 4:28
“Are we going to race to get our hasanat in? Because we don't know when it will be our last opportunity to put something towards our akhira.”
ICUC · Union, NJ
Play from 6:59
“Leaky bucket syndrome. And so, as we enter this Ramadan, feel the bucket. Stop your haram. Stop doing that which displeases Allah as you're entering the month in which He can forgive you in it.”
ICUC · Union, NJ
Play from 10:40
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Ramadan is presented as a once-a-year opportunity to invest in our dunya and akhira through worship, good deeds, and sincere intention. Because Allah multiplies rewards, we should begin preparing now and choose small deeds we can keep doing consistently. The speaker warns that prayer and fasting can be undermined by a “leaky bucket” of slander, backbiting, missed prayers, and other sinful habits. We are encouraged to read Quran, make dhikr, attend the mosque fully, and avoid wasting Ramadan in gossip or excessive socializing. The khutbah closes by asking Allah to let us reach Ramadan, leave it forgiven, and remember people suffering in Gaza, Sudan, and elsewhere.

  1. What is one small good deed you want to practice every day this Ramadan?
  2. What habit might make your Ramadan feel wasteful, and how can you change it?
  3. How can we remember people suffering while we prepare for Ramadan?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Union County2372 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083Jumu'ah English 12:15 PM · Arabic 1:15 PM · third service resumes September 2026ArchiveAll khutbahs at ICUC19 khutbahs
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