14:13 so people are looking…14:36 it is a month in which…14:42 and I love that my…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 30, 2026.

Why Sha'ban matters before Ramadan

Al-Sabereen

“I love that my deeds be raised to Him while I am fasting.”

The khateeb, at 14:42

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In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Sha'ban is an often-neglected but spiritually important month for fasting and preparing deeds before Ramadan, while warning against unsupported special practices for its middle night.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Sha'ban is presented as a neglected month in which deeds are raised while fasting.
  2. Overlooked worship times, including Fajr, the period between Maghrib and Isha, and the last third of night, are emphasized.
  3. Deeds are described as being raised annually, weekly, daily, nightly, and at death.
  4. Listeners are urged to make up missed Ramadan fasts before the next Ramadan.
  5. The khutbah warns against assigning special fasting, prayers, supplications, or forgiveness messages to the middle night of Sha'ban without authentic evidence.
Try this week
Fast during Sha'ban as preparation for Ramadan.
Make up missed Ramadan fasts before the next Ramadan begins.
Seek worship during overlooked times such as Fajr, between Maghrib and Isha, and the last third of night.
Avoid assigning special fasting, prayers, supplications, or forgiveness messages to the middle night of Sha'ban without authentic evidence.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to urge making up missed Ramadan fasts before the next Ramadan.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“so people are looking for Ramadan, so they neglect that Shihdan is a very important month”
Al-Sabereen · Harrisburg, PA
Play from 14:13
“it is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds”
Al-Sabereen · Harrisburg, PA
Play from 14:36
“and I love that my deeds be raised to Him while I am fasting”
Al-Sabereen · Harrisburg, PA
Play from 14:42
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminds us that Sha'ban is an important month that many people overlook while waiting for Ramadan. We are encouraged to use neglected times for worship, fast in Sha'ban, and make up any missed Ramadan fasts before the next Ramadan arrives. The sermon also warns us not to treat the middle night of Sha'ban as a special occasion for prescribed fasting, prayers, supplications, or forwarded forgiveness messages without authentic evidence. The larger lesson is to seek sincere good deeds consistently, especially when others are distracted.

  1. Which quiet or overlooked time could we protect for worship this week?
  2. How can we prepare for Ramadan by making up missed fasts or building a steady habit?
  3. Why might a good action become an unsupported practice when we attach it to a special date?
Where it was given

The masjid

Masjid Al-Sabereen1403 S Cameron St, Harrisburg, PA 17104Jumu'ah First Athan 12:15 PM, Iqamah 12:35 PM · second Athan 1:15 PM, Iqamah 1:35 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Al-Sabereen56 khutbahs
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