Ramadan trains you to put Allah first
“If the message from the king comes and you don't understand, you don't read, and you ignore it.”
Ramadan should train Muslims to make Allah their highest priority by embodying taqwa through Qur'an, prayer, service, understanding, and considerate community conduct.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah opens by making Allah the believer's highest priority and defining faith as belief embodied in action.
- Ramadan is presented as training in taqwa: protecting oneself and one's family from what pulls them away from Allah.
- The speaker turns to Laylat al-Qadr, the Qur'an, and the du'a for Allah's pardon.
- A story about carrying water for an iftar reframes ordinary masjid work as a source of reward and changes the listener's perspective.
- The remaining Ramadan practices include attentive recitation, Qur'anic supplications, respectful masjid etiquette, and reconciliation within the community.
- The khutbah closes by urging translation and tafsir so Muslims understand the Qur'an, followed by prayers for forgiveness, protection, and community well-being.
In the khateeb's words
“There is no possibility. Allah is the only possibility. And when you see Allah first, you become a believer.”
“And that is the meaning of taqwa, to protect oneself.”
“You could say, "Subhanallah." I get to do this. Allahu Akbar. I get to get all of the rewards, mashallah.”
“If the message from the king comes and you don't understand, you don't read, and you ignore it. Where is your priority and my priority, my brothers and sisters?”
For the dinner table
The khateeb reminded us that our highest priority is to please Allah and let our faith show in our actions. He described Ramadan as a training ground for becoming more conscious of Allah and protecting ourselves from what draws us away from Him. Through a story about providing water for people breaking their fast, he showed how ordinary service can become an opportunity to seek Allah's reward. He encouraged us to recite the Quran with care, understand its meaning through translation and tafsir, and ask Allah for mercy and forgiveness. He also reminded us that caring for others includes good manners, such as keeping our voices down when people are praying.
- What small job could we do together to help someone else this week?
- What would you like to ask Allah for today?
- How can we help each other understand something we recite in prayer?
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