5:19 The point I'm trying…6:07 If we don't take…20:52 Number one is, stop…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Shaaban is the time to prepare

EPIC · Nadim Bashir

“There's always a window to take advantage of.”

The khateeb, at 5:19

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Shaaban is the neglected preparation window for Ramadan and urges believers to begin spiritual reform immediately.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Shaaban is presented as the preparation season before Ramadan, using Ibn Qayyim's seed, watering, and harvest analogy.
  2. The Prophet's fasting in Shaaban and the raising of deeds are cited to show why the month matters.
  3. The speaker identifies five changes: stop backbiting, maintain prayers, release grudges, reduce social media, and sleep early.
  4. Listeners are urged to build Quran reading and pre-Fajr worship habits before Ramadan begins.
  5. The speaker clarifies that the 15th night of Shaaban has no special fast, graveyard visit, or prayer, while general worship remains appropriate.
Try this week
Begin reading Quran now instead of waiting for Ramadan.
Stop backbiting and leave gatherings where others are backbiting.
Maintain all five prayers on time, including waking for Fajr and avoiding delayed Dhuhr.
Release grudges and hand unresolved wrongs over to Allah.
Reduce social-media use, deleting distracting apps if necessary.
Sleep early and wake 10, 15 minutes before Fajr for Tahajjad or Qiyam.
Use the 15th night of Shaaban for general prayer, Quran, dhikr, and dua rather than invented special practices.
Increase fasting in Shaaban as preparation for Ramadan.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The point I'm trying to make is. In life. There's always a window to take advantage of. And if that window closes. Then you will have to pay a hefty price later on.”
EPIC · Plano, TX
Play from 5:19
“If we don't take advantage. Of this time. Then Ramadan will roll around eventually. And then if we try to make a change in our life. It will be too late.”
EPIC · Plano, TX
Play from 6:07
“Number one is, stop backbiting. Number two is, stop missing prayers. Number three is, let go of grudges, malice, hatred, and jealousy towards each other.”
EPIC · Plano, TX
Play from 20:52
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Imam Nadim reminded us that Shaaban is a chance to prepare our hearts and habits for Ramadan. He compared it to watering a seed so that we can enjoy the harvest later, instead of trying to do everything at once. He encouraged us to stop backbiting, keep up our prayers, let go of grudges, reduce social media, and sleep earlier so we can wake earlier. For anyone who has been hurt, he explained that leaving the matter with Allah does not mean being required to forgive the person. As a family, we can start with small changes now and help each other make Ramadan a time of renewed closeness to Allah.

  1. What good habit would you like to start watering like a seed before Ramadan?
  2. How could we help each other pray without nagging or embarrassing anyone?
  3. What could we do with some of the time we usually spend scrolling?
Where it was given

The masjid

East Plano Islamic Center4700 14th Street, Plano, TX 75074Jumu'ah First Jumu'ah 12:30 PM · second Jumu'ah 2:00 PMKhateebNadim BashirMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at EPIC165 khutbahs
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