3:02 sometimes you're going…4:28 you still have four…19:56 Do I have a few…21:46 Whatever mistakes I…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Keep worshipping after falling short

ISNA Canada (ICC) · Usman Qamar
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In one sentence

Because Ramadan is brief, believers should reject all-or-nothing thinking, redirect their competitive energy toward worship, and intensify their effort, especially in the last ten nights, even after falling short.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Value Ramadan’s limited days and each remaining moment.
  2. Reject all-or-nothing thinking after missed goals or acts of worship.
  3. Redirect competitiveness toward spiritual growth through examples of Umar and Abu Bakr.
  4. Use spare time for Quran, remembrance, charity, and other investments in the hereafter.
  5. Increase worship during Ramadan’s last ten nights, regardless of earlier shortcomings.
Try this week
Resume worship immediately after missing a prayer, fast, or Quran goal.
Use spare minutes for Quran recitation and tasbeeh.
Give extra money in charity as an investment in the hereafter.
Increase worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Avoid repeating earlier mistakes and strive harder in the remaining days.
Sources the khateeb cited
Jami` at-TirmidhiUmar describes giving half his wealth while Abu Bakr gave everything, illustrating striving in goodness.
Sahih MuslimAisha reports that the Prophet intensified his worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“sometimes you're going to have to just crawl you won't be able to run you won't be able to walk crawl limp limp if you have to but it's your journey to Allah”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 3:02
“you still have four but what shaitan will have you believe is that you're missing one is enough for you to now go and justify missing the other four”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 4:28
“Do I have a few minutes here? Let me get some Qur'an recitation in. Do I have a few minutes here? Let me do some tasbeeh.”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 19:56
“Whatever mistakes I made in the past two weeks. In my worship. In my plans of obedience to Allah. Let me ensure I don't repeat them in the coming two weeks.”
ISNA Canada (ICC) · Sheridan, ON
Play from 21:46
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Ramadan has only a limited number of days, so each moment is worth valuing. If we fall behind on a worship goal, we can keep going instead of letting one mistake make us give up. He shared stories of Abu Bakr and Umar to show how our competitive spirit can lead us toward goodness. Even a few minutes for Qur’an or remembering Allah, or a little money given in charity, can become an opportunity for worship. As the last ten nights approach, we can follow the Prophet’s example of greater effort in worship and encouraging his family, with hope that the best is still ahead.

  1. What is one small act of worship you could fit into a few spare minutes?
  2. When a goal goes wrong, what would help you try again?
  3. How could our family encourage one another to do good during the last ten nights?
Where it was given

The masjid

ISNA Canada, Islamic Centre of Canada2200 South Sheridan Way, Mississauga, ON L5J 2M4Jumu'ah Two services · 1:00 PM, 3:00 PMKhateebUsman QamarMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at ISNA Canada (ICC)124 khutbahs
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