53:36 Let's focus on our…53:49 When you adjust your…
Repentance & taqwaFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 14, 2026.

Ramadan trains the self toward taqwa

ICSB

“When you adjust your nafs on the taqwa of Allah, you live happy and good and healthy, and inshaAllah your way to paradise.”

The khateeb, at 53:49

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In one sentence

Ramadan is a training period for purifying and adjusting the inner self toward taqwa through the Qur'an, prayer, and continued righteous practice.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Extended Qur'anic recitation emphasizes judgment, guidance, tawhid, prophetic examples, and accountability.
  2. The Qur'an is presented as universal guidance and a criterion between right and wrong.
  3. The nafs is described as retaining a person's actions and requiring adjustment toward taqwa.
  4. Listeners are urged to use every day and night of Ramadan and continue taqwa afterward.
  5. The khutbah closes with supplication, Ramadan announcements, encouragement for youth Taraweeh attendance, and a donation request for gifts.
Try this week
Recite and study the Qur'an during Ramadan.
Use all the days and nights of Ramadan for worship and spiritual improvement.
Train the nafs toward taqwa and continue practicing it after Ramadan.
Attend Taraweeh and encourage children and youth to participate.
Donate toward the youth gifts given during Taraweeh, if able.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 20:123-124Used to emphasize following divine guidance and avoiding spiritual hardship.
Quran 2:185Used to present Ramadan and the Qur'an as guidance and a criterion between right and wrong.
Quran 50:21Used to stress that every soul returns to Allah with its deeds and must answer for them.
Quran 16:111Used to stress that every soul returns to Allah with its deeds and must answer for them.
Quran 91:7-10Used to support purifying the nafs and warning against corrupting it.
Quran 78:31-32Used to connect taqwa with success and Paradise.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Let's focus on our nafs, and adjust it on the taqwa of Allah”
ICSB · Lomita, CA
Play from 53:36
“When you adjust your nafs on the taqwa of Allah, you live happy and good and healthy, and inshaAllah your way to paradise.”
ICSB · Lomita, CA
Play from 53:49
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb taught that Ramadan is a time to work on our nafs, or inner self, by building taqwa and awareness of Allah. The Qur'an is guidance for everyone and helps us recognize right from wrong. Our deeds stay with us, so the goal is not only to fast for a month but to keep practicing taqwa afterward. He encouraged families to use every day and night well, bring children to Taraweeh, and support their participation. He closed by asking Allah to purify our hearts, forgive us, and help us live by the Qur'an.

  1. What is one habit you would like your nafs to learn during Ramadan?
  2. How could we make Taraweeh more welcoming for younger children?
  3. What Qur'an habit could we continue after Ramadan?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of South Bay - LA (Masjid Al-Noor)25816 Walnut St, Lomita, CA 90717Jumu'ah 1:00 PM & 2:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICSB32 khutbahs
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