Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Fasting should cultivate taqwa and gratitude

“The purpose is to achieve piety, taqwa.”

The khateeb, at 4:54

In one sentence

The purpose of Ramadan is not merely to endure hunger but to use fasting to cultivate taqwa, gratitude, right guidance, and a stronger relationship with Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces Ramadan and distinguishes abstaining from food and drink from fasting's deeper purpose.
  2. Explains taqwa as the primary goal and fasting as disciplined abstinence and a private covenant with Allah.
  3. Connects Ramadan with gratitude for food, water, shelter, health, and other blessings.
  4. Describes gratitude through the heart, tongue, and obedient actions, alongside rushd or spiritual steadiness.
  5. Applies discipline to the eyes and tongue while encouraging believers to take practical means and trust Allah for provision.
  6. Closes by urging listeners to prepare their schedules, embrace Ramadan gratefully, and strengthen their relationship with Allah.
Try this week
Fast from dawn to dusk while remembering that abstinence should produce taqwa.
Train the eyes to watch good things and avoid harmful things.
Discipline the tongue by avoiding gossip and disrespect and speaking respectfully.
Show gratitude through the heart, words, and obedient actions.
Take necessary practical means while trusting Allah for sustenance.
Adjust the schedule and energy level to strengthen worship during Ramadan.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 18The phrase about following a means supports working responsibly while trusting Allah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the purpose is not to lose weight the purpose is not to torture yourself but the purpose is to achieve piety taqwa”
ISGW · Worcester, MA
Play from 4:54
“Your job in life Is to do what Allah asks you to do Not to go to work It's part of it”
ISGW · Worcester, MA
Play from 21:43
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that Ramadan is about much more than going without food and drink. Its deeper goals are taqwa, gratitude, and staying on the straight path. Fasting is a private promise to Allah, so we should use it to discipline our eyes and tongues, obey Allah with our actions, and appreciate blessings like food, water, and shelter. We should work responsibly while trusting that provision ultimately comes from Allah, and prepare our schedules so Ramadan becomes a season of worship and growth.

  1. Which blessing do you notice more when you are fasting?
  2. How can we use our eyes and words more carefully this Ramadan?
  3. What does it mean to work hard while trusting Allah?