Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 27, 2026.
Ramadan is a chance to change harmful habits
“Let us remember that human life is too valuable to be destroyed by addiction, or wasted on digital platforms.”
In one sentence
Ramadan should be used as a decisive reset: return sincerely to Allah, preserve the dignity He gave us, follow the Qur'an and Sunnah, care for the vulnerable, invite others compassionately, and abandon harmful habits.
The khutbah in 7 steps
- Calls worshippers to private dua before dawn and to recognize their God-given value by avoiding sin, gossip, lies, greed, and hurtful behavior.
- Warns against endless pursuit of worldly wealth and urges careful zakat and fitrah distribution to vulnerable families, orphans, widows, and the poor.
- Encourages friendship with people distant from prayer, fasting, or the mosque, using hospitality and kindness to invite them toward Islam.
- Stresses obedience to Allah, learning the Prophet's life, and embodying his truthfulness, gentleness, and integrity rather than merely praising him.
- Defines true believers as those whose hearts respond to Allah's name and verses, maintain prayer, trust Allah, and spend from their provision.
- Warns against alcohol, drugs, digital gambling, and digital addiction, urging loving families, compassionate support, and limits on harmful screen exposure.
- Concludes with calls to study Qur'an and Sunnah, switch off phones in the mosque, give zakat and fitrah, support children's mosque activities, volunteer, and pray.
Try this week
Wake before suhoor, make wudu, pray two rakahs, and privately ask Allah for help.
Write down personal faults and review honestly which ones Ramadan has helped you change.
Study the Qur'an's tafsir for at least 20 minutes nightly and learn the Prophet's life and hadith.
Befriend and invite people distant from prayer or the mosque through conversation, meals, tea, and companionship.
Turn off phones when entering the mosque and avoid phone use during the khutbah.
Research recipients before giving zakat and fitrah, prioritizing genuinely vulnerable people.
Keep children away from harmful digital content, create loving family routines, and support people struggling with addiction.
Give zakat and fitrah before Eid, support mosque children's programming, and volunteer with the children's Ramadan activities.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 8Uses the qualities of true believers and warnings against worldly greed and betrayal to define faithful conduct.
Surah 74Invokes the command to rise and warn, supporting outreach beyond the already-observant community.
Surah 4Uses the migration passage to argue that believers must act on faith rather than excuse disobedience through circumstances.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“Çok değerlisin. Kendi değerini kendin düşürme. Dedikoduyla düşürme. Yalanla düşürme. İftirayla düşürme. Cimrilikle düşürme. Gönül kırmakla düşürme.”
“Otur. Anlat. Yemek ısmarla. Çay ısmarla. Koluna gir. Seni sevsin. Seni sevdiği için camiye gelsin.”
“Mü'min adam Allah'ın ayetini duyduğunda boynunu büker. Allah mı böyle buyuruyor? Allah, ben yanlış yapmışım.”
“Let us remember that human life is too valuable to be destroyed by addiction, or wasted on digital platforms.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The khateeb presents Ramadan as a chance to turn back to Allah, correct our habits, and begin again. We should remember our value by leaving behind lies, gossip, greed, and behavior that hurts others. True faith should appear in prayer, humility, charity, learning the Qur'an and Sunnah, and welcoming people who feel distant from the mosque. The sermon also warns families about alcohol, drugs, gambling, and unhealthy digital use, especially for children. We can respond with loving homes, wise boundaries, support for people in difficulty, generosity, and sincere repentance.
- Which habit would you most like Ramadan to help you change?
- How can we welcome someone who feels far from the mosque?
- What is one healthy boundary our family could set around phones or screens?
Where it was given
The masjid
United Islamic Center of Paterson (Ulu Cami)408 Knickerbocker Ave, Paterson, NJ 07503Jumu'ah Preliminary sermon 11:45 AM · Khutbah 12:15 PM · Iqamah 12:30 PM (winter schedule, through March 13, 2027; one hour later during daylight saving time)KhateebUlu CamiMore khutbahsArchiveAll khutbahs at Ulu Cami12 khutbahs
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