The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Dec 6, 2025.
Use Rajab and Sha'ban to prepare for Ramadan
“It's not the month that's wrong.”
In one sentence
Believers should use Rajab and Sha'ban to gradually discipline their habits so they enter Ramadan spiritually prepared and able to benefit from it.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Introduces Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadan as spiritually favored months and frames Rajab as preparation.
- Explains that Ramadan and prayer reveal existing habits, distractions, and inner disorder rather than creating them.
- Uses hadith to encourage fasting during Rajab, including when only its final days remain, and recommends seeking forgiveness.
- Presents five practices for spiritual improvement: silence, hunger, wakefulness, seclusion, and remembrance.
- Applies silence to speech and typing, urging five quiet minutes daily and thoughtful pauses before speaking.
- Applies the remaining practices through moderated eating, extra prayer before Fajr, and daily distraction-free seclusion.
Try this week
Fast periodically during Rajab, then continue gradually through Sha'ban.
Ask Allah for forgiveness and build regular communication with Him.
Practice five minutes of complete silence daily, including reduced unnecessary typing.
Pause before speaking and consider whether your words are useful and pleasing to Allah.
Eat moderately, stopping before fullness while considering your individual dietary needs.
Wake five minutes before Fajr and pray two extra raka'ahs.
Spend five minutes daily in seclusion with your phone and distractions turned off.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 62Recited to emphasize Friday prayer, remembrance of Allah, leaving trade, and returning to work afterward.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“It's not the month that's wrong. The month is an indicator that I am not living a proper life. I need to change my habits because if my habits were good, this month would have been easy to deal with.”
“Begin to train yourself how to gain control over your tongue. Because most of us, we're controlled by our tongues. We don't control our tongues. We don't control our thoughts. Our thoughts control us.”
“Wake up prior to Fajr, a minute or two, five minutes, and pray two extra raka'as.”
“Go sit down in the room, put your phone away, turn all the distractions off, and just seclude yourself for five minutes.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb encouraged us to use Rajab and Sha'aban to prepare our hearts and habits for Ramadan, just as we would train before a marathon. He explained that prayer and fasting can help us notice distractions and habits that need attention. He suggested small steps, including quiet time with our phones put away, asking Allah for forgiveness, and praying a little extra before Fajr. He also reminded us to think before speaking or typing and to approach eating with balance. His message was to grow gradually and remember that even when we miss the beginning, we can still make use of the time that remains.
- What could you learn about yourself during five quiet minutes with your phone put away?
- How could you make your next message to a friend more thoughtful or helpful?
- What small habit would you like us to practice together before Ramadan?
Where it was given
The masjid
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