Prepare your heart before Ramadan
As Ramadan approaches, believers should begin now to cultivate taqwa through conscious dependence on Allah, sincere worship, repentance, and care for those facing hardship.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Defines taqwa as remembering, feeling, and remaining aware of Allah’s presence before Ramadan.
- Uses Munajat al-Sha'baniyya to teach returning to Allah in sin, hardship, and need.
- Explores desperate supplication while balancing fear of Allah’s displeasure with hope in His mercy.
- Presents Ramadan as an invitation to become guests of Allah and experience joy through worship.
- Urges listeners to begin purification and preparation immediately, before Ramadan starts.
- Extends Ramadan devotion toward communal responsibility, including prayer and support for people facing poverty and war.
In the khateeb's words
“There's something about Finding satisfaction And joy And contentment And love Of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala That gets cultivated By worship That gets cultivated By submission That gets cultivated By supplication”
“It doesn't begin then, rather, it begins now. An opportunity to start toward purification of our hearts and our souls.”
“You should do a lot more if you have the capacity to do so, but don't limit du'a and think that it's the least of our mechanisms toward also giving out of ourselves toward those around us.”
For the dinner table
The khutbah invites us to enter Ramadan by growing taqwa: remembering that Allah is present, knows our hearts, and is the One we can always return to. Imam Ali’s supplication teaches that we should ask Allah with humility, balancing fear of displeasing Him with hope in His mercy. Ramadan is an invitation to become Allah’s guests, and worship can bring real joy, contentment, and closeness. The speaker urges us to begin preparing now through repentance, purification, and sincere worship rather than waiting for the month to start. He also reminds us to pray for and, when able, support people facing poverty and war.
- What is one way we can remember Allah more often this Ramadan?
- When has worship or dua made you feel peaceful or content?
- How could our family help someone facing hardship?
The masjid
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