1:02 Acts of worship are an…4:32 The point of fasting…15:02 Life is short when you…18:44 And again, the level…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 13, 2026.

Fasting is meant to build taqwa

Islamic Center of

“The point of fasting is to attain taqwa.”

The khateeb, at 4:32

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Ramadan fasting should be practiced as sincere worship that increases taqwa, improves character, encourages good deeds, and draws a person closer to Allah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Distinguishes sincere worship from empty cultural rituals.
  2. Uses prayer and charity to illustrate the benefits of correct worship.
  3. Explains that fasting is prescribed to develop taqwa and seek Allah’s forgiveness.
  4. Presents three levels of fasting: the masses, believers, and the righteous.
  5. Encourages prayer, Quran reading, dhikr, generosity, forgiveness, reconciliation, and guarding the tongue.
  6. Urges listeners to measure Ramadan by increased taqwa and resistance to sin.
Try this week
Fast sincerely for Allah’s sake and seek reward from Him alone.
Attend Fajr, Isha, and taraweeh or other congregational prayers.
Increase dhikr and Quran reading during Ramadan.
Guard the gaze and tongue by avoiding lying, cheating, bad language, and backbiting.
Be generous with time, wealth, supplication, and expertise.
Forgive people who have wronged you and reconcile those who are fighting.
Evaluate daily whether your taqwa and good deeds are increasing.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 51:56Used to establish that humanity was created to worship Allah.
Quran 29:45Used to explain that prayer should restrain immorality and wrongdoing.
Quran 9:103Used to describe charity as purifying the giver, receiver, and wealth.
Quran 2:183Used to identify taqwa as the purpose of fasting.
Sahih al-BukhariUsed to explain that sincere fasting and optional prayer can bring forgiveness of past sins.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Acts of worship are an obligation from Allah. But rituals are things that people got used to, used to doing, and they do not carry any benefit.”
Islamic Center of · West Chicago, IL
Play from 1:02
“The point of fasting is to attain taqwa, to increase that level of taqwa. God consciousness, where we are thinking of Allah before we do something, before we say something.”
Islamic Center of · West Chicago, IL
Play from 4:32
“Life is short when you forgive and go to bed every night and say, Ya Allah, I forgive everyone.”
Islamic Center of · West Chicago, IL
Play from 15:02
“And again, the level of taqwa that we have to have is to refrain from sin with the same carefulness and determination that we protect our fast from drinking and from eating with.”
Islamic Center of · West Chicago, IL
Play from 18:44
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that worship is obedience to Allah with love, and fasting is meant to help us grow in taqwa, remembering Allah before we speak or act. Ramadan gives us a chance to practice good habits, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and do good for His sake. Fasting involves more than leaving food and drink: we should also avoid lying, cheating, hurtful speech, and backbiting. We can make the month richer through prayer, Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, and generosity with our time and abilities as well as our money. He encouraged us to forgive others and reminded us that wrongs against people require their forgiveness or compensation. Each day, we can notice how we are growing and practice habits we hope to keep after Ramadan.

  1. What could help you pause and remember Allah before saying something when you are upset?
  2. What is one way you could be generous tomorrow without spending money?
  3. Which good habit would you like to practice in Ramadan and keep afterward?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Center of Western Suburbs (ICWS)28W774 Army Trail Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185Jumu'ah “Khutbah 1 | 1:05 | pm; Jamaat 1 | 1:25 | pm; Khutbah 2 | 1:35 | pm; Jamaat 2 | 1:55 | pm” (Bartlett location). “Khutbah | 1:15 | pm; Jamaat | 1:35 | pm” (West Chicago location).ArchiveAll khutbahs at Islamic Center of48 khutbahs
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