The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Oct 27, 2025.

Use Rajab to prepare for Ramadan

“There is nothing in Rajab except to purify your heart.”

The khateeb, at 8:27

In one sentence

Rajab should be used to avoid sin, repent sincerely, strengthen worship, and prepare steadily for Ramadan rather than waiting until Ramadan begins.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Rajab is a sacred month emphasizing avoidance of wrongdoing rather than special prescribed rituals.
  2. Sincere repentance can erase past sins and restore a believer’s relationship with Allah.
  3. Listeners should immediately make up missed fasts, establish prayers, read Quran, make dhikr, and pay overdue zakat.
  4. Rajab and Sha'ban should prepare believers for Ramadan through consistent worship and mindfulness.
  5. The khutbah connects personal reform, Muslim unity, and concern for oppressed Muslims worldwide.
  6. The sermon closes with repentance, prayers for the oppressed, and preparation for Ramadan.
Try this week
Make up missed Ramadan fasts now.
Establish the obligatory prayers consistently, then add regular Sunnah prayers.
Read more Quran and increase dhikr.
Pay overdue zakat and seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Identify one ongoing sin, repent sincerely, and resolve to stop it.
Prepare for Ramadan during Rajab and Sha'ban instead of waiting.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 9Used to identify the four sacred months and warn believers not to wrong themselves during them.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“There is nothing in Rajab except to purify your heart. To purify your heart and turn back to your Lord. And that you excel in His worship.”
ICCC · Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Play from 8:27
“It's time right now to make up any missed fasts. This is the time. Have you been putting them off since last Ramadan?”
ICCC · Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Play from 11:33
“Our part begins with doing better right now. Our part begins with not waiting until Ramadan. Our part begins with lighting the fire.”
ICCC · Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Play from 20:45
“How will you reap the benefits? How will you reap the rewards of Ramadan? If you won't in Rajab.”
ICCC · Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Play from 58:53
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Rajab is a sacred month that reminds us to turn back to Allah and avoid wrongdoing. The khutbah teaches that Rajab has no special prescribed fast or prayer, but it is an excellent time to purify the heart and strengthen everyday worship. We should make up missed fasts, pray consistently, read Quran, remember Allah, pay overdue zakat, and seek forgiveness now. Sha'ban is also a valuable preparation period before Ramadan, so we should not wait until Ramadan to begin changing. Personal repentance, steady improvement, unity, and sincere concern for suffering Muslims are all part of preparing ourselves for Allah.

  1. What is one good habit you can start before Ramadan?
  2. What does it mean to prepare your heart, not just your schedule, for Ramadan?
  3. How can our family respond to suffering Muslims through prayer, character, and helpful action?