The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 23, 2026.
Use Sha'ban to prepare for Ramadan
“Ghafla is a disease, my dear brothers and sisters.”
In one sentence
Because Sha'ban is an often-neglected month in which deeds are presented to Allah, Muslims should use it to overcome heedlessness, purify their hearts, increase worship and fasting, and prepare sincerely for Ramadan.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Sha'ban as a blessed month before Ramadan and recalls the supplication for reaching Ramadan.
- Cites the Prophet's increased fasting in Sha'ban and explains that deeds are raised to Allah during the month.
- Defines ghafla as spiritual heedlessness and offers three self-checks: prayer, response to Qur'an, and awareness of death.
- Highlights worship during heedless times, including night prayer and remembrance of Allah in marketplaces.
- Explains fasting's virtues: extended worship, sincerity, patience, and preparation for Ramadan.
- Urges forgiveness and heart purification before closing with supplications and congregational prayer.
Try this week
Check your attentiveness when prayer time arrives.
Notice your emotional response while reciting or listening to the Qur'an.
Reflect when hearing about death or visiting the sick.
Fast in Sha'ban as much as you can, while observing the stated restrictions.
Increase remembrance of Allah during busy activities and in marketplaces.
Purify your heart by seeking forgiveness, forgiving others, and pardoning them.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sunan an-Nasa'iUsed for the teaching that Sha'ban is neglected, deeds are raised in it, and the Prophet preferred them raised while fasting.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Ghafla is a disease, my dear brothers and sisters. Ghafla, to be neglectful, to be unaware, where not to pay attention to something, to be heedless, oblivious.”
“Just forgive others. Try to seek forgiveness from others and forgive and pardon. This is very recommended, my dear brothers and sisters.”
“Fasting, as our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam told us, it is nusf al sabr. It is the half of patience is fasting.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Sha'ban is a month to wake up spiritually and prepare for Ramadan, especially because people often overlook it. The khutbah encourages us to check our hearts at prayer time, when we hear Qur'an, and when death reminds us of life's purpose. We can fast as much as we are able, use fasting to train sincerity and patience, and remember Allah even in busy places. We should also forgive people, seek forgiveness, and clean our hearts of arrogance, hatred, jealousy, and envy.
- What is one prayer-time habit that can help you notice when you are becoming heedless?
- Which small act could you try this week to prepare your heart for Ramadan?
- Who could you forgive or make peace with this week?
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