Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 2, 2026.
Prepare your heart and habits for Ramadan
“In Shaaban, you want to water the seed.”
In one sentence
Preparing spiritually and practically before Ramadan enables sincere self-improvement and pursuit of Allah's pleasure.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Allah does not change a people until they change themselves, so believers must pursue continual self-improvement.
- Meaningful goals require preparation, illustrated through Quranic examples, New Year's resolutions, and the Prophet's Hijrah.
- Historical figures demonstrate long-term preparation through knowledge, spiritual development, and disciplined study.
- Believers should use Rajab and Sha'ban to plant and water goals before harvesting them in Ramadan.
- Four preparation methods are presented: psychological priming, modeling others, emotional focus on solutions, and strategic what-why-how planning.
- Listeners are urged to set worship goals, taper coffee and media use, and seek Allah's pleasure through prayer and Quran.
Try this week
Set a specific Ramadan worship goal and define what, why, and how.
Fast Mondays and Thursdays and the white days before Ramadan.
Begin reading Quran now, in any language, rather than waiting for Ramadan.
Model the practices of people who consistently fast, give, read, and pray.
Gradually reduce coffee consumption and media or computer use.
Use physical movement and focused breathing to prime the mind for worship.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 13Allah does not change the state of a people until they change themselves; used to frame personal responsibility and repentance.
Surah 9Preparation and willingness to serve the deen distinguish sincere commitment from empty claims.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi"Tie your camel" illustrates combining reliance on Allah with concrete preparation.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“But no, it is us who need to change. And for us to be successful in this life and the hereafter, that change must come as many times as possible.”
“In Shaaban, you want to water the seed. And in Ramadan, you want to harvest the seed.”
“What do you want to do? I want to fast Monday and Thursdays. Why? Because I want to please Allah and I'm going to prepare for Ramadan.”
“If you are a heavy coffee drinker, start now. And say, you know what? I drink two or three cups of coffee a day.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminds us that Allah does not need us, but we deeply need Him. Preparing for Ramadan should begin before the month arrives, just as people prepare carefully for important goals. We can set clear worship goals, practice fasting, read Quran, learn from consistent Muslims, and gradually reduce habits like excessive coffee or screen use. The speaker describes Rajab and Sha'ban as a time to plant and water the seeds we hope to harvest in Ramadan. The goal is to become closer to Allah through sincere effort, prayer, Quran, and good preparation.
- What is one Ramadan goal you could start practicing today?
- What habit could you slowly reduce to make more room for worship?
- Who do you know whose good worship habits you could learn from?
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