10:55 The intellect is there…12:38 So taqwa essentially…15:25 So we have to have our…25:59 That is the spiritual…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 3, 2026.

Prepare for Ramadan by seeking taqwa

Darul Uloom · Omar

“Taqwa essentially is a heightened state of awareness of the presence of Allah with us at all times.”

The khateeb, at 12:38

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Prepare for Ramadan during Sha'ban through fasting, Qur'an, prayer, and intentional worship so that Ramadan cultivates taqwa, heightened awareness of Allah that disciplines the nafs and brings spiritual transformation.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Sha'ban is an overlooked opportunity to prepare spiritually for Ramadan through fasting, Qur'an, and good deeds.
  2. Ramadan's primary purpose is taqwa, beyond secondary benefits such as empathy, self-control, and health.
  3. Taqwa means attentive awareness of Allah's presence and reverence for His limits.
  4. Taqwa provides knowledge, protection, spiritual nourishment, and a way through difficulty.
  5. Stories of Musa, Dawud, and Ibrahim illustrate how faith and taqwa overcome overwhelming trials.
  6. The khutbah closes by urging intentional Ramadan worship, correct priorities, and preservation of the obligatory prayers.
Try this week
Use Sha'ban to prepare the heart for Ramadan.
Increase fasting, Qur'an reading, and good deeds before Ramadan.
Enter Ramadan with sincere intention and awareness rather than cultural autopilot.
Prioritize the five daily prayers alongside fasting.
Seek taqwa by remembering Allah's presence and revering His limits.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:183Used to establish taqwa as the primary purpose of fasting.
Quran 2:282Used to connect reverence for Allah with receiving knowledge and guidance.
Quran 65:2Used to teach that taqwa brings a way out of difficulty.
Quran 7:26Used to describe taqwa as a protective garment.
Quran 2:197Used to describe taqwa as the best spiritual provision.
Quran 26:62Used through Musa's example to illustrate confidence that Allah provides a way forward.
Quran 21:69Used through Ibrahim's story to connect Allah's power with calmness amid fire and danger.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The intellect is there to help you have self-control. People of intellect are people who control their nafs.”
Darul Uloom · Orléans, ON
Play from 10:55
“So taqwa essentially is a heightened state of awareness of the presence of Allah with us at all times.”
Darul Uloom · Orléans, ON
Play from 12:38
“So we have to have our priorities in order if we wish to seek the rewards and the blessings.”
Darul Uloom · Orléans, ON
Play from 15:25
“That is the spiritual transformation that we are seeking in the month of Ramadan.”
Darul Uloom · Orléans, ON
Play from 25:59
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Sha'ban is a chance to prepare our hearts for Ramadan through extra fasting, Qur'an reading, and good deeds. The goal of fasting is not only to feel hunger or gain health benefits, but to grow in taqwa, careful awareness of Allah and His limits. We should keep our obligatory prayers central and approach Ramadan with sincere, deliberate intention. When taqwa becomes a real inner strength, it can calm the restless self and help us face difficulties with trust in Allah.

  1. What is one way we can prepare our hearts for Ramadan this week?
  2. How can remembering Allah help us control our anger or desires?
  3. Why should salah remain a priority during Ramadan?
Where it was given

The masjid

Darul Uloom Ottawa2803 St Joseph Blvd, Orléans, Ottawa, ON K1C 1G6ArchiveAll khutbahs at Darul Uloom58 khutbahs
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