Use Ramadan to return to Allah
“I am in my strongest state when I realize how poor my decisions have been.”
Ramadan should be approached as a deliberate opportunity for repentance, reconciliation, spiritual cleansing, and renewed closeness to Allah rather than as mere physical fasting.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- The khutbah opens by connecting Ramadan preparation with gratitude, Gaza's suffering, and the need for communal mercy.
- The speaker urges focused preparation in Sha'ban and presents Ramadan as cleansing from sins, poor decisions, and spiritual neglect.
- He warns that fasting without sincerity can leave a person with only hunger and thirst, emphasizing self-accountability before death.
- He explains that fasting should calm the soul and calls listeners to seek Allah's forgiveness while forgiving people who have wronged them.
- The khutbah describes sins, addictions, desires, and conflicts as sources of spiritual trauma, with Ramadan offering a reset and a path toward Jannah.
- The speaker gives practical steps: reconcile, return to the Qur'an, establish regular private dua, and cultivate regret and humility instead of pride.
In the khateeb's words
“The first thing that needs to happen for me. is to realize that I need Allah's forgiveness. I need His maghfirah. Who of us does not need that?”
“No one's worth it. No one is worth it to deny me an accepted Ramadan. no one is worth it to stop me from gaining the greatest of gifts in this blessed month”
“These are the small steps that we can start making to prepare for Ramadan. Ya Rabb, I want to be consistent in raising my hands in dua.”
“I am in my strongest state when I realize how poor my decisions have been. I am in my strongest state when I realize that I've gone down a path I shouldn't have gone down.”
For the dinner table
Shaykh Osamah taught that Ramadan is a chance to be cleansed from the poor decisions, sins, and conflicts that have darkened our hearts. We should enter it intentionally by asking Allah's forgiveness, taking stock of ourselves, forgiving people who hurt us, and repairing harm where we can. He reminded us that fasting is not just hunger and thirst; it should bring sincerity, peace, and a stronger connection to Allah. Small steps, returning to the Qur'an, making regular private dua, and preparing through worship, can help us begin. Real strength is admitting regret and changing before the chance is gone.
- How can forgiving someone or apologizing help bring peace to our hearts?
- When could you make five minutes for private dua during your day?
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
2:40Islamic Association of · Flower Mound, TX · Oct 24, 2026Repentance begins a life of self-discipline“Whilst you are alive, whilst you are reading, whilst you are even sitting in the masjid now, you can do Tawba with Allah.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness