Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 21, 2026.
Ramadan is a hopeful return to Allah
In one sentence
Ramadan is an open door for everyone to return to Allah with hope, leaving past shame behind while practicing patience, generosity, and mercy toward others.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- The Prophet’s optimism and new-moon supplications frame Ramadan as a hopeful beginning.
- Ramadan fasting is obligatory, while night prayer is voluntary and richly rewarded.
- Patience, generosity, sharing food, and easing others’ burdens express Ramadan’s central virtues.
- The open doors of Paradise invite everyone to come as they are and leave past baggage behind.
- The mosque should welcome newcomers, children, people with special needs, and those returning after distance.
- Stories of the Prophet and Shaykh Badr al-Din illustrate gentle correction, dignity, mercy, and repentance.
- The khutbah concludes with prayers for healing, forgiveness, and suffering Muslims in Gaza and Sudan.
Try this week
Look for the Ramadan crescent and recite the prophetic supplication for safety, faith, health, and Islam.
Fast Ramadan and pray at night according to your ability without treating voluntary prayer as obligatory.
Control your tongue, actions, thoughts, desires, and ethical choices with patience.
Share an iftar, date, sip of water, or milk with another fasting person.
Lighten the workload and pressure on employees, spouses, children, and others under your authority.
Welcome newcomers, children, people with special needs, and returning Muslims with patience and gentle guidance.
Lower your gaze and avoid judging people’s clothing, appearance, tattoos, or unfamiliarity with mosque etiquette.
Leave past shame and trauma behind, turn to Allah, and make sincere repentance.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:185Ramadan is presented as the month in which the Quran was revealed, bringing guidance and clarifying fasting.
Quran 2:222Allah’s love for those who repent is used to encourage people returning from sin.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Allah is the judge. No human being is your judge. And Allah judges only at the end.”
“Come as you are. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is not saying that you have to come with a certain level of piety into Ramadan.”
“Share your food with them. Let them come beside you in prayer.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Ramadan is an open door from Allah, and we do not need to wait until we feel perfect before entering it. We can leave shame and old labels behind, turn back sincerely, and hope in Allah’s mercy. Fasting teaches patience, generosity, and self-control, while even sharing a date or sip of water can become a meaningful act of worship. The khutbah also reminds us to make the mosque welcoming by treating newcomers, children, and vulnerable people gently. When we show mercy to others, we hope to receive Allah’s mercy in return.
- What is one piece of “baggage” you would like to leave at Ramadan’s doorstep?
- How can our family make someone feel more welcome at the mosque this week?
- What small food or drink could we share with someone at iftar?
Keep listening
More on Ramadan & fasting
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Every single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship