Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 17, 2026.
Ramadan should change how we live
“Ramadan is a time to strive to become a better person.”
In one sentence
Ramadan should be approached as a season of preparation, Quran-guided taqwa, worship, generosity, gratitude, and compassionate action that changes how Muslims live beyond the month.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Prepares listeners for Ramadan through advance planning and seeking acceptance of deeds.
- Distinguishes Ramadan’s purpose of Quranic guidance from fasting’s purpose of developing taqwa.
- Presents practical Ramadan habits involving worship, self-discipline, Quran, congregational prayer, and Laylat al-Qadr.
- Calls for dua for grieving families and suffering communities, while emphasizing respect for parents.
- Explains responsibilities involving zakat, fitrah, generosity, masjid support, Eid, and six Shawwal fasts.
- Closes with hope, gratitude, community education, and confidence that relief accompanies hardship.
Try this week
Prepare for Ramadan before it begins through worship and habit-building.
Protect the fast by avoiding lies, obscene language, quarrels, and evil actions.
Attend Fajr and Isha in congregation and increase mosque attendance and prayer.
Make dua for oneself, family, grieving parents, and suffering communities.
Honor and care for living parents.
Pay zakat and fitrah early so recipients can benefit.
Support the masjid and practice generosity during Ramadan.
Celebrate Eid peacefully with family and friends, then fast six days of Shawwal.
Attend the announced Islamic education forum if possible.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:185Used to explain Ramadan as the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance and a criterion between right and wrong.
Quran 2:183Used to explain that fasting is prescribed to develop taqwa, or God-consciousness.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to argue that fasting without abandoning lies, false speech, and evil actions is spiritually deficient.
Quran 9:60Used to identify the eight categories of people entitled to receive zakat.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“The only thing that is more important than the actual performance of the good deeds is the acceptance of the good deeds.”
“Ramadan is a time to strive to become a better person, a better parent, a better spouse, a better child, a better colleague, a better neighbor, a better citizen, a better Muslim and overall a better human being.”
“So if your parents are alive, take this as a great blessing from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and take good care of them.”
“Zakat is not a favor of the rich upon the poor. It is the right of the poor upon the rich.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
Ramadan is coming, and the khutbah reminded us to prepare before it begins, not wait until it is underway. Fasting is meant to grow taqwa, awareness of Allah, while the Quran gives Ramadan its guidance and purpose. We were encouraged to pray, read Quran, make dua, give zakat and fitrah, care for parents, and become more generous. The speaker also asked us to remember grieving families and people suffering around the world. May Ramadan help our whole family change for the better and carry those habits into the rest of the year.
- What is one habit you want to prepare before Ramadan?
- How can our family show generosity and care for others this Ramadan?
- What can we do to honor our parents and grandparents?
Keep listening
More on Ramadan & fasting
Fast the six days of Shawwal.20:06SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA · Apr 3, 2026Six Shawwal fasts can earn a year
The most valuable thing is time.16:36NWIIC · Crown Point, IN · Apr 3, 2026Carry Ramadan’s taqwa throughout the year
Every single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship