12:10 The choices we make,…16:43 So my dear brothers…24:53 Ramadan is not just a…32:02 Once you have that…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.

Ramadan begins with repentance and renewal

SALAM Arden · Khalid Sayedi

“Ramadan is not just a month of fasting.”

The khateeb, at 24:53

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Earning Allah’s love and mercy requires embodying the qualities named in Qur’an 33:35 and preparing intentionally for Ramadan through repentance, worship, self-discipline, and repaired relationships.

The khutbah in 7 steps

  1. Introduces Qur’an 33:35 as a roadmap to Allah’s forgiveness and reward.
  2. Explains faith, obedience, truthfulness, patience, humility, charity, fasting, chastity, and remembrance through everyday examples.
  3. Urges listeners to treat Ramadan as spiritual renewal and begin with sincere repentance.
  4. Encourages increased prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, Taraweeh, and clear spiritual goals.
  5. Calls for repairing family and community relationships before Ramadan.
  6. Recommends adjusting sleep, screen use, eating habits, and daily routines for Ramadan worship.
  7. Closes with supplications, announcements, an iftar sponsorship appeal, and support for a new shahada.
Try this week
Seek sincere repentance now and identify sins, neglected obligations, and responsibilities to correct.
Increase prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, and generosity during Ramadan.
Begin extra nighttime prayer and set a goal to complete the Qur’an at least once in Ramadan.
Reconnect with estranged relatives, friends, and neighbors and resolve misunderstandings before Ramadan.
Adjust sleep and daily schedules, reduce screen time, and balance meals before Ramadan begins.
Set a specific spiritual goal, such as greater patience, generosity, or consistency in prayer.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 33Lists qualities associated with forgiveness and a great reward.
Surah 33Teaches that believers have no choice after Allah and His Messenger decide a matter.
Sahih al-BukhariUses guarding the tongue and chastity as a path to Paradise.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“The choices we make, my dear brothers and sisters, reflect our faith.”
SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA
Play from 12:10
“So my dear brothers and sisters in Islam, I want you to ask yourself this question. Is truthfulness my habit? Or is it something I only do when it's convenient?”
SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA
Play from 16:43
“Ramadan is not just a month of fasting. It is a month of spiritual renewal. It is a month of forgiveness.”
SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA
Play from 24:53
“Once you have that habit that you connect yourself with the Quran, when Ramadan comes, it makes it easier for you, inshaAllah, to stay on it.”
SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA
Play from 32:02
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah reminds us that faith is shown through the choices we make every day. Ramadan is more than staying away from food; it is a chance to repent, renew our hearts, increase worship, and become more patient and generous. We should begin preparing now by praying more, reading Qur’an, giving charity, and setting meaningful goals. We should also repair strained relationships and organize our sleep, meals, and routines. When Ramadan arrives, we want to meet it with sincere hearts and habits that are already growing.

  1. What is one habit you would like to strengthen before Ramadan?
  2. Who could our family reconnect with before Ramadan begins?
  3. What does it mean to fast from bad speech, not only food?
Where it was given

The masjid

SALAM Arden Center985 Enterprise Dr, Sacramento, CA 95825Jumu'ah English khutbah 12:00 PMKhateebKhalid SayediMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at SALAM Arden56 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