Build taqwa before Ramadan arrives
“I plan my day around my salah, not the other way around.”
Taqwa should be cultivated year-round through gradual preparation for Ramadan, daily self-examination, consistent salah, repentance, and hopeful trust in Allah.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Connects an injury from running without preparation to entering Ramadan without spiritual preparation.
- Defines Ramadan’s goal as increasing taqwa through worship, character, family, and community responsibilities.
- Uses Quranic imagery to explain the temporary nature of dunya and the need to remain connected to Allah.
- Urges nightly self-accounting, repentance, reconciliation, patience, and confidence that sincere good deeds are never wasted.
- Gives practical steps: remove harmful habits, establish five daily prayers, wake before Fajr for prayer and dua, and keep returning to Allah after setbacks.
In the khateeb's words
“How many of us... approach the preparation when it comes to trying to increase our Iman that way with respect to Ramadan. How many of us go into Ramadan cold?”
“And the way that you and I show up every day will dictate how Allah, how we stand in front of Allah on that day.”
“I plan my day around my salah, not the other way around.”
For the dinner table
Br. Fuad shared that running a half marathon without preparation reminded him how important it is to prepare spiritually for Ramadan. He encouraged us to grow in taqwa, our awareness of Allah, throughout the year through worship, good character, and caring for others. He invited us to reflect each night on our actions, ask Allah for forgiveness, and seek forgiveness from people we have hurt. Like cleaning a house before decorating it, we can identify habits that hold us back and work on changing them. He emphasized organizing our days around the five prayers and returning to Allah after setbacks, remembering His mercy and that good done for His sake never goes to waste.
- What small good habit would you like us to practice together before Ramadan?
- How could our family make it easier to pause for salah each day?
- What could help you keep doing something kind when nobody notices or says thank you?
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
2:40Islamic Association of · Flower Mound, TX · Oct 24, 2026Repentance begins a life of self-discipline“Whilst you are alive, whilst you are reading, whilst you are even sitting in the masjid now, you can do Tawba with Allah.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness