6:36 Once the greatness of…12:22 To avoid the…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Fasting trains us to live with taqwa

DarusSalam · Minhajuddin Ahmed

“To avoid the disobedience of Allah in Ramadan is a practice that will inshaAllah extend to outside Ramadan.”

The khateeb, at 12:22

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In one sentence

Fasting is prescribed to cultivate taqwa, and Ramadan should train believers to compete in good deeds, practice self-accountability, and carry God-consciousness beyond the month.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Fasting is an obligation addressed to believers and shared with earlier communities.
  2. Earlier nations had different rulings, but all were tested to compete in good deeds.
  3. Fasting redirects human competitiveness from worldly status toward Allah’s pleasure.
  4. Taqwa means awareness of Allah’s constant observation, which fasting trains through self-restraint.
  5. Allah provides ease through exemptions and make-up fasts for illness and travel.
  6. Listeners are urged to perform muhasabah and assess whether fasting has increased their taqwa.
Try this week
Compete in good deeds rather than worldly status or possessions.
Use fasting to practice awareness that Allah is always watching.
Avoid disobedience during Ramadan and carry that discipline beyond Ramadan.
Perform daily muhasabah by assessing whether fasting has increased taqwa.
Make up missed fasts after illness or travel, or give fidya when permanently unable to fast.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:183-185Used to establish fasting’s obligation, purpose of taqwa, limited duration, and concessions for illness or travel.
Quran 5:48Used to explain that communities received different rulings while being urged to compete in good deeds.
Quran 57:21Used to encourage competing for forgiveness, Paradise, and Allah’s pleasure.
Quran 83:26Used to encourage competing for forgiveness, Paradise, and Allah’s pleasure.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Once the greatness of Allah enters the heart, then the greatness of His commands will enter the heart.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 6:36
“To avoid the disobedience of Allah in Ramadan is a practice that will inshaAllah extend to outside Ramadan.”
DarusSalam · Lombard, IL
Play from 12:22
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Allah prescribed fasting to help us grow in taqwa, meaning awareness of Him. Knowing that people before us also fasted can encourage us when it feels difficult. He asked us to use our desire to compete for good deeds and Allah’s pleasure. When we choose not to eat or drink even when nobody else is watching, we practice remembering Allah and keeping our commitment to Him. He encouraged each of us to reflect on whether fasting is changing our behavior and to carry that awareness beyond Ramadan.

  1. What helps you remember Allah when nobody else is around?
  2. What good deed could we encourage each other to do this week?
  3. What habit from Ramadan would you like to keep afterward?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid DarusSalam21W525 North Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148KhateebMinhajuddin AhmedMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at DarusSalam150 khutbahs
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