The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 13, 2026.

Sha'ban prepares the heart for Ramadan

“Among the most beloved deeds to Allah Almighty in this month are reciting the Qur'an, fasting, sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness, and giving charity.”

The khateeb, at 24:26

In one sentence

Sha'ban is a spiritually precious preparation for Ramadan, so believers should renew taqwa, seek forgiveness, reconcile with others, worship more, and give charity.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Calls believers to taqwa, obedience, and accountability for what they send ahead.
  2. Uses Moses and the “days of Allah” to frame remembrance and gratitude.
  3. Presents Sha'ban, especially its middle night, as a season of mercy and forgiveness.
  4. Warns that grudges, envy, hostility, and broken relationships obstruct forgiveness.
  5. Urges Qur'an recitation, fasting, repentance, seeking forgiveness, charity, pardon, and abundant salawat as preparation for Ramadan.
  6. Closes with supplications for mercy and well-being, followed by a command to uphold justice and goodness.
Try this week
Recite the Qur'an regularly during Sha'ban.
Fast during Sha'ban.
Make sincere repentance and seek Allah's forgiveness.
Give charity.
Forgive others and repair broken relationships.
Increase salawat upon the Prophet.
Make the cited supplication in sujood, especially during the middle night of Sha'ban.
Sources the khateeb cited
Jami` at-TirmidhiSupports the claim that Allah forgives widely on mid-Sha'ban, except hostile or polytheistic people.
Sahih MuslimSupports charity, forgiving others, and humility as spiritually elevating deeds.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Indeed, on the night of the 15th of Shaban, Allah Almighty descends to the lowest heaven and forgives more people than number of hairs on the sheep of the tribe of Kelm.”
UICA · Glendale, AZ
Play from 18:40
“among the most beloved deeds to Allah Almighty in this month are reciting the Qur'an fasting sincere repentance seeking forgiveness and giving charity”
UICA · Glendale, AZ
Play from 24:26
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khateeb encouraged us to use Sha'ban to prepare our hearts for Ramadan, like watering plants before a harvest. He highlighted reading the Qur'an, fasting, turning sincerely back to Allah, asking forgiveness, and giving charity. He spoke about Allah's generous mercy and forgiveness on the middle night of Sha'ban. He also reminded us to let go of hatred and forgive others as we hope Allah will forgive us. Together, we can choose a small good deed to nurture and take a thoughtful step toward repairing a relationship.

  1. What good habit could we 'water' together before Ramadan?
  2. What could giving charity look like for you this week?
  3. What makes forgiving someone difficult, and what might help?