9:24 we should have that…15:29 the most tragic and…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Prepare deliberately to make Ramadan count

IIT · Ahmed Umarji

“Help comes with the measure of a person's preparation.”

The khateeb, at 5:15

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan should be approached as a sacred opportunity requiring deliberate physical, spiritual, mental, and practical preparation so believers can maximize forgiveness, worship, and closeness to Allah.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Frames Ramadan preparation as honoring Allah and contrasts deliberate planners with those who leave worship to chance.
  2. Argues that a written game plan invites divine help and compares Ramadan preparation with organized business and event planning.
  3. Recommends physical, spiritual, mental, and legal preparation, including fasting, Quran reading, studying Ramadan virtues, and reviewing rulings.
  4. Explains Ramadan’s significance as a season of revelation and identifies its fruits: freedom from Hellfire, reconnection with Allah, worship, and renewed connection with the Quran.
  5. Warns against missing forgiveness and urges listeners to identify sins and distractions before Ramadan, then take concrete precautions.
Try this week
Write a detailed Ramadan schedule covering Quran, Taraweeh, qiyam, sleep, suhoor, and dua.
Increase fasting, Quran reading, and dua before Ramadan begins.
Read hadith or attend a lecture about Ramadan’s virtues.
Review the rulings of fasting and zakat before Ramadan.
Identify personal sins and distractions, avoid harmful gatherings, and delete tempting social-media apps if needed.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:185Uses Ramadan’s connection to Quran revelation, fasting, guidance, ease, and gratitude.
Quran 22:32Uses honoring Allah’s sacred symbols as evidence that preparation reflects taqwa.
Quran 9:46Generalizes preparation before setting out into a principle for preparing for Ramadan.
Quran 83:14Warns that repeated wrongdoing can harden the heart.
Musnad AhmadCites a narration listing the revelation of earlier scriptures and the Quran during Ramadan.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“we should have that plan before the month of Ramadan starts”
IIT · Torrance, CA
Play from 9:24
“the most tragic and the worst thing that can happen to a person is that the month of Ramadan passes and they do not attain forgiveness from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
IIT · Torrance, CA
Play from 15:29
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminds us that preparing for Ramadan is a way of honoring what Allah has made sacred. He encourages us to make a plan before the month begins, with time for prayer, Quran, dua, and rest. Preparation also means learning about Ramadan’s blessings and reviewing the rulings of fasting. Ramadan offers us opportunities to seek forgiveness, ask for Paradise and protection from the Fire, and reconnect with Allah and the Quran. As a family, we can help one another prepare and reduce distractions so we make the most of these opportunities.

  1. What is one act of worship you would like to make time for each day in Ramadan?
  2. What would you like us to learn together about Ramadan before it begins?
  3. What distraction could we reduce as a family to make more room for Quran and dua?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Institute of Torrance18103 Prairie Ave, Torrance, CA 90504Jumu'ah First khutba 12:20 PM, salat 12:40 to 12:45 PM · Second Jumu'ah 1:20 PM, salat 1:40 to 1:45 PMKhateebAhmed UmarjiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at IIT64 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