9:18 you better offer your…12:39 reading is important…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 3, 2026.

Use Sha'ban to prepare your heart

ICMC

“Reading is important; acting upon is also important.”

The khateeb, at 12:39

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Sha'ban should be used for deliberate spiritual preparation through worship, Quran study, fasting, self-examination, and reconciliation before Ramadan arrives.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Ramadan is presented as the month of the Quran, with Allah inviting those who strive toward Him.
  2. Sha'ban is described as a neglected preparation period, illustrated through storm, planting, watering, and harvesting analogies.
  3. Hadith about deeds being presented, angelic reports, and Monday-Thursday forgiveness emphasize urgency and reconciliation.
  4. Listeners are urged to strengthen obligatory prayer, add voluntary worship, study the Quran, and act on its guidance.
  5. The sermon warns against love of worldly life and fear of death, urging personal accountability rather than blaming rulers.
  6. Practical preparation includes regular study, recommended fasting, fulfilling others' rights, and asking Allah to reach Ramadan.
Try this week
Set a Sha'ban preparation goal before Ramadan begins.
Protect all five obligatory prayers and add sunnah and nafl prayers.
Read and study the Quran with a knowledgeable teacher, then act on what you learn.
Arrange regular study with a local mosque or scholar covering Quran, hadith, and the lives of the Sahaba.
Fast on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of lunar months.
Fulfill others' rights and reconcile grudges before deeds are presented.
Ask Allah to let you reach Ramadan safely and benefit from it.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 29Used to teach that striving in Allah's path leads to guidance and divine support.
Surah 10Used to describe people content with worldly life and heedless of meeting Allah.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“you better offer your salah you better offer whatever you have to fulfill the rights of others all the obligations should be fulfilled before the deeds are presented to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
ICMC · Medford, NY
Play from 9:18
“reading is important acting upon is also important so both go hand in hand”
ICMC · Medford, NY
Play from 12:39
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Sha'ban is a gift and a quiet preparation time before Ramadan, which the speaker called the month of the Quran. We should not wait until Ramadan begins: we can strengthen our five daily prayers, add extra worship, read and understand the Quran, and practice what we learn. The khutbah also reminded us to fast on recommended days, care for our bodies, fulfill other people's rights, and reconcile with anyone we are holding a grudge against. Preparing the heart means turning away from love of worldly life and becoming more mindful of Allah. As a family, we can make a small plan now and ask Allah to let us reach Ramadan safely and use it well.

  1. What is one good habit we can start building before Ramadan?
  2. Is there a kind or courageous step we can take to repair a relationship?
  3. What part of the Quran would you like to learn and understand better?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islaamic Center of Medford-Coram15 Lee Lane, Medford, NY 11763
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