3:47 You fasted simply for…6:43 I only expect my…13:11 You want something…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Mar 6, 2026.

Fast for Allah, not for recognition

Zawiyah Foundation · Fode Drame

“I only expect my reward to come from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and from nowhere else.”

The khateeb, at 6:43

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan fasting should be undertaken with sincere love and reverence for Allah and expectation of reward from Him alone, while surrendering whatever distracts from remembrance and prayer.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Intention belongs in the heart and determines the value and reward of actions.
  2. Ramadan fasting requires imanan, love and reverence for Allah, and ihtisaban, expecting reward from Him alone.
  3. Fasting is uniquely rewarded by Allah because food, drink, and desire are surrendered for His sake.
  4. The example of Sulayman’s horses illustrates giving up what distracts from prayer and receiving something better.
  5. The khutbah closes by urging surrender of distractions and trusting Allah’s reward, followed by Arabic supplications.
Try this week
Renew the intention to fast in the heart as an act of love and reverence for Allah.
Expect the reward for fasting from Allah alone rather than from people’s recognition.
Identify and give up an attachment that causes forgetfulness of God or delays prayer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariEstablishes that actions are judged and rewarded according to intentions.
Sahih al-BukhariExplains that fasting uniquely belongs to Allah and receives a special, unknowable reward.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“You fasted simply for no other reason but out of love and regard for God.”
Zawiyah Foundation · Vancouver
Play from 3:47
“I only expect my reward to come from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and from nowhere else.”
Zawiyah Foundation · Vancouver
Play from 6:43
“You want something better, you give lesser. You can't keep holding on the lesser until you want the better.”
Zawiyah Foundation · Vancouver
Play from 13:11
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Today, Imam Fode reminded us that intention begins in our hearts, even when we do not say it aloud. He explained that we fast out of love and regard for Allah, seeking our reward from Him alone. This helps us focus on pleasing Allah instead of getting praise from other people. He described fasting as giving up food, drink, and pleasures for Allah, who knows the special reward He will give. Through the story of Sulaiman and his horses, he encouraged us to notice what distracts us from prayer and make room for remembering Allah.

  1. What could you remind yourself of in your heart before your next act of worship?
  2. How could we encourage each other to do good without needing praise?
  3. What is one distraction our family could put aside when it is time to pray?
Where it was given

The masjid

Zawiyah Foundation7008 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BCKhateebFode DrameMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Zawiyah Foundation17 khutbahs
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