Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 20, 2026.
Ramadan commitment must shape every day
“You don't fast from eating and drinking and then you curse and cuss and backbite.”
In one sentence
Ramadan should be approached as a lifelong commitment to mindfulness of Allah, self-control, virtue, and personal improvement, not merely abstaining from food and drink for one season.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Ramadan arrives as moral grounding in a world of corruption.
- Fasting’s purpose is mindfulness of Allah, expressed as commitment.
- Fasting shields believers from temptation and retaliation.
- Ramadan develops consciousness, steadfastness, holistic discipline, and resistance to desire.
- The commitment should continue beyond Ramadan as a way of life, rooted in love of Allah.
Try this week
Examine your intention for fasting beyond abstaining from food and drink.
Remind yourself privately and consistently that Allah is watching.
Avoid vulgar speech, cursing, backbiting, and retaliation; say that you are fasting when provoked.
Treat Ramadan as a stepping stone toward yearly personal improvement.
Build willpower by resisting desires and repent promptly after mistakes.
Carry Ramadan’s discipline beyond the month through continued virtue and occasional fasting.
Make commitment flow from love of Allah and focus on strengthening the heart.
Sources the khateeb cited
Sahih MuslimUsed to describe fasting as a shield from temptation and harmful conduct.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“fast as a commitment as a commitment to be mindful of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala day and night privately and secretly not like these people”
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is watching over you and that surveillance should be enough for you to behave better”
“it's not selective you don't fast from eating and drinking and then you curse and cuss and backbite and do all these horrible things with it”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that Ramadan is meant to make us mindful of Allah, not simply hungry or thirsty. Fasting should shape our speech, patience, choices, and treatment of others. When we make mistakes, we should return to Allah, seek forgiveness, and keep building self-control. Ramadan is a school and a stepping stone, so its commitment should continue as a way of life. The strongest commitment grows from love of Allah and a sincere heart.
- What is one Ramadan habit that could help you remember Allah during the rest of the year?
- How can we respond when someone upsets us while keeping the spirit of fasting?
- What does it mean to do the right thing when nobody else is watching?
Keep listening
More on Ramadan & fasting
Fast the six days of Shawwal.20:06SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA · Apr 3, 2026Six Shawwal fasts can earn a year
The most valuable thing is time.16:36NWIIC · Crown Point, IN · Apr 3, 2026Carry Ramadan’s taqwa throughout the year
Every single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship