Ramadan fasting builds taqwa and gratitude
“As a result, our fasting is a demonstration of our faith.”
Ramadan fasting should be approached as a faith obligation whose goals are taqwa and gratitude, cultivated through studying the Qur'anic Ramadan verses and carrying self-restraint beyond daylight.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Calls for full attention and proper Jumu'ah and mosque etiquette.
- Introduces Ramadan and urges families to study and memorize its four Qur'anic verses.
- Explains fasting as a compulsory sign of faith and continuation of earlier believers' practice.
- Defines taqwa as mindful awareness of consequences that leads to corrective action.
- Distinguishes fasting's goal of taqwa from Ramadan's goal of gratitude.
- Urges worshippers to extend Ramadan's restraint beyond daytime and avoid sin after iftar.
In the khateeb's words
“as a result, our fasting is a demonstration of our faith.”
“Sawm is only for me, and reward of Sawm is only with me.”
“Hopefully you will be grateful. Hopefully through Ramadan, we will be grateful to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala that every day He gives us food, drinks, we have shelter and everything.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb encouraged us to turn to the Qur’an to learn what Allah says about Ramadan. He invited families to memorize and understand the verses he named in Surah Al-Baqarah, along with short hadiths about Ramadan. He explained that fasting expresses our faith and connects us with believers who fasted before us. Fasting helps us develop taqwa: being mindful of Allah and acting on that awareness by stepping away from disobedience. He also encouraged gratitude for food, drink, shelter, and guidance, reminding us to carry our daytime self-restraint into the hours after iftar.
- What is one blessing you appreciate more when you are waiting for iftar?
- What is one good choice we can practice tonight, just as we practice self-control during the day?
- How could we help each other learn a short hadith or the Qur’an verses about Ramadan?
More on Ramadan & fasting
Fast the six days of Shawwal.20:06SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA · Apr 3, 2026Six Shawwal fasts can earn a year
The most valuable thing is time.16:36NWIIC · Crown Point, IN · Apr 3, 2026Carry Ramadan’s taqwa throughout the year
Every single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship