Ramadan should purify the heart and character
“I'd like to help you and support you because I don't hate you.”
Ramadan's true purpose is to cultivate ihsan, worshipping Allah with awareness of His presence and translating that consciousness into purified character, compassionate relationships, and ethical conduct.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Ramadan fasting through Quranic verses and announces the upcoming Ramadan and Taraweeh schedule.
- Explains the hadith of the seven people shaded by Allah and a related description of people with pure hearts and innocent hands.
- Defines heart purification as removing hatred, unjustified anger, and bad character while developing good behavior.
- Defines ihsan as worshipping Allah as though seeing Him and knowing that He sees you.
- Applies ihsan to speech, family, neighbors, work ethics, the poor, orphans, and people who cause harm.
- Closes with community announcements, a bereavement prayer, an iftar schedule, and a brief donation appeal.
In the khateeb's words
“the purification of the heart has nothing to do with detergents water or cleanliness but what does it do then what is it all about”
“someone hurt you now that's when you go to him or her and you say not only I forgive you but I'd like to help you and support you because I don't hate you”
“when your brother or your sister hurts you make the principle is is this within Allah or not and if it is then you get angry and you try to correct it”
For the dinner table
Ramadan is more than going without food and drink. The khutbah teaches that fasting should build ihsan: worshipping Allah with the awareness that He sees us, then letting that awareness improve our character. We should purify our hearts by leaving backbiting, hatred, and unjustified anger, and by speaking kindly and treating parents, family, neighbors, coworkers, the poor, and orphans well. The hardest test is responding to hurt with forgiveness and support, while reserving anger for genuine violations of Allah's limits. If Ramadan changes how we treat people, then its purpose is becoming real.
- What is one heart habit you want Ramadan to help you change?
- How can we show ihsan to someone at home or school this week?
- What might forgiving and helping someone who hurt us look like?
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