Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 28, 2026.

A successful Ramadan leaves lasting taqwa

“If you can see the effects of Ramadan in you, then you know that it was a successful Ramadan.”

The khateeb, at 3:02

In one sentence

A successful Ramadan is shown by lasting taqwa that improves worship, character, gratitude, and everyday responsibility after the month ends.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. The speaker presents taqwa and the Quranic purpose of fasting as the standard for evaluating Ramadan.
  2. He says accepted Ramadan should produce lasting improvements in worship, patience, relationships, and avoidance of sin.
  3. He explains that heart-based taqwa must appear through the eyes, tongue, ears, hands, conduct, and character.
  4. He argues that food waste reflects ingratitude rather than an economic problem, emphasizing the labor behind each meal.
  5. He assigns parents responsibility for children's portions and urges worshippers to take only what they can eat.
  6. He connects plastic-bottle waste with environmental and health concerns, recommending reusable bottles and avoiding heated plastic.
  7. He closes by urging listeners to use the remaining days of Ramadan to build measurable taqwa.
Try this week
Assess your prayer, charity, Allah-consciousness, patience, and sins now compared with before Ramadan.
Choose one character change, such as patience, and practice it deliberately every day.
Guard your eyes, tongue, ears, hands, heart, and other limbs from sinful use.
Take only the food you expect to eat; take a smaller portion first and return for more if needed.
Monitor children's portions and choices at masjid meals, and take leftovers home.
Bring a reusable glass, stainless-steel, or aluminum bottle instead of using single-use plastic bottles.
Do not heat food or children's milk in plastic or styrofoam containers.
Clean up after yourself and take unfinished water home.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“If you can see the effects of Ramadan in you, then you know that it was a successful Ramadan.”
Bayonne Muslims · Bayonne, NJ
Play from 3:02
“The root of this problem is not money. It's not money or we don't value money. It's that you're ungrateful.”
Bayonne Muslims · Bayonne, NJ
Play from 16:37
“You buy a glass bottle or one of those steel aluminum bottles, right? And you fill it up with water.”
Bayonne Muslims · Bayonne, NJ
Play from 25:29
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Ramadan should help us grow in ways that last after the month ends. Taqwa means being conscious of Allah, and it should show in our prayers, our words, and how patiently we treat one another. He encouraged us to reflect now and choose something we can improve, such as controlling our temper. He also explained that caring for food, water, and other resources is a way to show gratitude for Allah's blessings. As a family, we can practice this by choosing sensible portions, helping younger children with their plates, and bringing reusable water bottles.

  1. What is one Ramadan habit you would like to keep after the month ends?
  2. When you feel frustrated at home, what could help you respond kindly?
  3. Who helped bring tonight's meal to our table, and how can we show gratitude?