Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 6, 2026.

Prepare for Ramadan with small steps

“Small deeds done consistently are more beloved to Allah than large deeds done occasionally.”

The khateeb, at 19:27

In one sentence

Because people forget, repeated Ramadan reminders help believers realign with prayer, taqwa, self-discipline, charity, and consistent worship according to their circumstances.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Explains that repeated Ramadan reminders revive forgetful hearts and prepare believers intentionally.
  2. Uses the qualities of successful believers to examine humility in prayer, guarding salah, avoiding idle talk, chastity, and purification through good deeds.
  3. Connects night prayer and fasting with strengthening iman, developing taqwa, and controlling the tongue, eyes, and desires.
  4. Presents Sha'ban as a training period and urges believers to begin Ramadan preparation with small steps.
  5. Adapts worship goals to different life seasons, emphasizing consistency when strong and preserving obligations during hardship.
  6. Concludes with a dua to reach Ramadan and receive forgiveness, purification, and steadfastness.
Try this week
Fast a day or two before Ramadan.
Increase Quran gradually.
Improve or protect one salah.
Wake for one night prayer.
Add voluntary fasts, sunnah prayers, night prayers, and Quran when circumstances allow.
Avoid idle talk, harmful media, and pointless arguments.
Guard the tongue, eyes, chastity, and desires.
Give charity, serve others, repent, and perform good deeds.
During hardship, preserve the five daily prayers, avoid major sins, and make dua.
Stay consistent with manageable acts of worship.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 73Used to show that night prayer strengthens those carrying heavy responsibilities.
Surah 2Used to explain that fasting is prescribed to develop taqwa.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala doesn't forget. He repeats because we forget. Our hearts are the ones that drifts. And Allah repeats because reminders revive.”
ICF · Fayetteville, NC
Play from 6:14
“Guarding salah means you structure your life around prayer. Not fitting salah into wherever space is left.”
ICF · Fayetteville, NC
Play from 9:45
“Small deeds done consistently are more beloved to Allah than large deeds done occasionally.”
ICF · Fayetteville, NC
Play from 19:27
“Do not let go of your obligations. Hold fast to the rope of Allah.”
ICF · Fayetteville, NC
Play from 20:04
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Ramadan is a mercy and a chance to bring prayer, self-control, and a clean heart back to the center of our lives. The khateeb reminded us that Allah repeats reminders because people forget, and that successful believers guard their prayers, turn away from pointless talk, protect their chastity, and give charity. Sha'ban is a training season, so even a small start, some fasting, Quran, one prayer improved, or one night prayer, can prepare us. If life is difficult, we should keep our obligations, avoid major sins, and make dua, trusting Allah while staying consistent with what we can do.

  1. What is one small act of worship you could begin before Ramadan?
  2. How can prayer affect the way we treat people?
  3. What should we hold onto when life feels overwhelming?