The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 9, 2026.

Prepare for Ramadan through Rajab and Shaaban

“We should increase our ibadat in the sacred month.”

The khateeb, at 7:09

In one sentence

Believers should use Rajab and Shaaban to increase worship and prepare for Ramadan while learning sound faith and balancing hope and fear in view of the Day of Judgment.

The khutbah in 5 steps

  1. Rajab is a sacred month, calling believers to increase worship and good deeds.
  2. Rajab and Shaaban can build a sustainable worship routine before Ramadan, including fasting and Quran recitation.
  3. Surah Tagabun presents the Day of Judgment as a day of gathering, regret, and loss.
  4. True success comes through faith and good deeds rather than wealth, status, appearance, or possessions.
  5. Muslims should learn sound aqidah, balance hope with fear, and remember daily that they will stand before Allah.
Try this week
Increase fasting, charity, Quran recitation, and other worship during Rajab and Shaaban.
Gradually increase daily Quran recitation and carry that sustainable pace into Ramadan.
Study foundational iman and aqidah, including Aqidah tu Tahawiyah.
Maintain balanced hope and fear of Allah, with hope increasing near death.
Reflect daily on standing before Allah and on worldly distractions that may be pulling you away.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 9Used to identify the four sacred months and encourage increased worship during them.
Surah 1Used to identify the Day of Judgment as Yawm al-Din, the day of recompense.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“so we should increase our ibadat in the sacred month and that's the preparation of Ramadan also Rajab and Shaaban is the muqaddam of Ramadan”
Al-Madina · Woodlawn, MD
Play from 7:09
“when the person is healthy the fear of Allah should be little more like 51% so he doesn't do the bad deeds and when he is close to die then the hope should increase little bit”
Al-Madina · Woodlawn, MD
Play from 11:21
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb reminded us that Rajab is a sacred month and encouraged us to prepare for Ramadan by building our worship in Rajab and Shaaban. He suggested increasing good deeds and Qur’an recitation so that we can carry those habits into Ramadan. Reflecting on Surah Tagabun, he asked us to remember the Day of Judgment and use our time for things we will be glad to have done. He explained that true success is reaching Jannah through faith and good deeds, rather than measuring our lives only by money, appearance, or status. He also urged us to learn our faith and balance hope in Allah’s mercy with fear of doing wrong.

  1. What small act of worship could our family practice together before Ramadan?
  2. What good deed would you like to make more time for this week?
  3. When you make a mistake, what helps you put it right and keep hoping in Allah’s mercy?