Sha'ban prepares the heart for Ramadan
“Character is who you are and reputation is what other people think you are.”
Sha‘ban, often neglected between Rajab and Ramadan, is the essential preparation season for reflecting, building good habits, deepening connection to Allah, and purifying the heart before Ramadan.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Allah’s mercy encompasses all creation, with special mercy for those with taqwa, zakat, and belief.
- Human life and death are decreed, and every moment is an amanah with a purpose before Allah.
- Sha‘ban is often neglected while people focus only on Ramadan, so it should become Ramadan’s foundation.
- Believers should use Sha‘ban for reflection and plant honesty, care, time-awareness, good habits, and good deeds.
- A sound heart and genuine character matter more than reputation, wealth, or family status.
- The khutbah closes with prayers for acceptance, Ramadan, people facing hardship, the bereaved, and Muslims worldwide.
In the khateeb's words
“this month is the month of Sha'ban and that's the month that a person needs to start giving his hundred percent to be able to decorate his blessed month of Ramadan”
“it's a time of planting what we want to plant inside our lives and that is a moment of reflection”
“because character is who you are and reputation is what other people think you are but you know who you are and that's between you and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala”
For the dinner table
Imam Kashif Ahmed reminded us that our time is a trust from Allah and that our lives have a purpose. Sha‘bān is often overlooked while people wait for Ramadan, but it is an opportunity to prepare our hearts and habits. He compared this preparation to strengthening a building’s foundation and planting seeds of honesty, kindness, and good actions. He encouraged us to grow closer to Allah each day and to care about our character, which is who we really are, rather than only our reputation. Together, we can use this month to work toward a clean heart, care for others, and ask Allah to help us reach Ramadan and continue our good deeds.
- What good habit could we start together before Ramadan?
- What is one way you could show someone care this week?
- What does being good when nobody is watching look like at home or school?
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