30:06 The heart's desire to…41:50 More important than…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Ramadan begins with cleansing the heart

ICCP

“More important than what you're asking is the fact that you are asking Allah.”

The khateeb, at 41:50

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan should be welcomed as a chance to awaken, cleanse, and discipline the heart through repentance, dhikr, sincere worship, and deliberate choices that draw the believer nearer to Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Ramadan preparation begins with cleaning the heart, not merely organizing food, houses, or calendars.
  2. Regret and spiritual feeling are signs of an alive heart; use them for growth rather than shame or despair.
  3. Create quiet time after Fajr for dhikr and gratitude, trusting Allah's mercy instead of seeking a formula to earn it.
  4. Remove arrogance, worldly excess, bad company, and self-made barriers while pursuing genuine iman beyond outward identity.
  5. Guard the heart, tongue, media habits, and family culture; prioritize taqwa and sincere worship over a narrow halal-haram mindset.
  6. Close with humility in prayer, prayers for healing and forgiveness, Malcolm X's example, and Ramadan program reminders.
Try this week
Schedule five quiet minutes after Fajr for dhikr and gratitude.
Use regret as a prompt for repentance and transformation rather than shame.
Guard the heart and tongue through God-oriented company and speech that pleases Allah.
Practice sincere salah and dua, focusing on turning to Allah rather than seeking a formula.
As a family, teach children worship for Allah's sake while helping them grow independent.
Attend the Thursday Ask the Imam session and Ramadan programs, using the community newsletter for details.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The heart's desire to connect to Allah is like the yearning of the body for food and for water.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 30:06
“More important than what you're asking, is the fact that you are asking Allah.”
ICCP · Potomac, MD
Play from 41:50
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah invites us to welcome Ramadan by cleaning the heart, not only the house or calendar. Feeling regret can be a sign that the heart is alive, and it can lead us toward change rather than hopelessness. The speaker encourages time alone with Allah, regular dhikr, careful speech, sincere prayer, and choosing influences that help faith grow. Parents should guide children toward worship for Allah's sake while helping them become independent. Ramadan is a chance to turn to Allah with humility, trust His mercy, and let hardship soften the heart.

  1. What helps your heart feel awake and close to Allah?
  2. What is one good habit you can practice after Fajr this Ramadan?
  3. When you make dua, what does turning to Allah mean to you?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Community Center of Potomac10601 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854Jumu'ah Adhan 1:15 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ICCP96 khutbahs
Keep listening

More on Ramadan & fasting

All on this topic
Fast the six days of Shawwal.20:06SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA · Apr 3, 2026Six Shawwal fasts can earn a yearThe most valuable thing is time.16:36NWIIC · Crown Point, IN · Apr 3, 2026Carry Ramadan’s taqwa throughout the yearEvery single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship