2:32 The main purpose of…3:56 So how come we cannot…15:12 So, you know, do not…17:13 So you have leaking…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 23, 2026.

Fasting means leaving sin behind

ICNVT · Abdul Wali

“We have to stay away from all kinds of sins and mistakes and wrongdoing.”

The khateeb, at 2:32

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Fasting is meant to cultivate taqwa by pairing abstinence from lawful pleasures with abstention from sin, harmful speech, and insincerity.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. The khutbah traces fasting from Ashura and earlier practices to Ramadan's obligation.
  2. It explains taqwa as the purpose of fasting beyond hunger and thirst.
  3. It warns that backbiting, slander, harmful speech, unlawful earnings, and unlawful food can strip fasting of reward.
  4. It presents Sha'ban as preparation for Ramadan and cites the Prophet's fasting practice.
  5. It urges control of the eyes, ears, tongue, intentions, and daily habits.
  6. It encourages Qur'an, dhikr, tasbih, sincere good deeds, and protecting deeds from hypocrisy.
  7. It closes by warning attendees to hear the Jumu'ah khutbah from the beginning.
Try this week
Avoid backbiting, slander, hurtful speech, unlawful food, unlawful earnings, and other sins.
Guard the eyes, ears, and tongue from wrongdoing.
Prepare for Ramadan through fasting, Qur'an recitation, dhikr, and tasbih.
Keep good deeds sincere for Allah rather than seeking recognition.
Arrive before the Jumu'ah khutbah begins.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:183The command to fast and its purpose, taqwa, anchor the khutbah.
Quran 33:56Recited in the formal khutbah prayers invoking blessings upon the Prophet.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The main purpose of fasting is, so likewise we stay away from eating and drinking and from our desire, so we have to stay away from all kinds of sins and mistakes and wrongdoing.”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 2:32
“So how come we cannot stay away from haram thing? Which is a haram. So we should understand the concept of this fasting.”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 3:56
“So, you know, do not spend any moment now trying to practice this. You know, keep in the beginning, tasbih in your hand. Recite subhanallah, alhamdulillah, allahu akbar.”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 15:12
“So you have leaking buckets, so nothing's going to remain there. So you know, acting righteously, performing good deed is not easy, but preserving that, protecting your good deed is more harder than that.”
ICNVT · Fairfax, VA
Play from 17:13
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Abdul Wali taught that Ramadan is not just about feeling hungry or thirsty. Fasting is meant to grow taqwa, or awareness of Allah, so we also leave backbiting, hurtful speech, dishonesty, unlawful food, and other sins. He encouraged us to prepare for Ramadan, guard our eyes, ears, and tongues, and fill our time with Qur'an, dhikr, and good deeds. He reminded us that good deeds are what make us rich in the Hereafter, so we should protect them by acting sincerely for Allah. He also emphasized the importance of arriving in time to hear the Jumu'ah khutbah.

  1. What is one habit you could improve before Ramadan begins?
  2. How can we protect a good deed after we do it?
  3. Which part of our daily routine could include more dhikr?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Northern Virginia Trust4420 Shirley Gate Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030Jumu'ah 11:30 AM · 1:15 PM · 2:15 PMKhateebAbdul WaliMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ICNVT108 khutbahs
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