12:18 This month also needs…19:18 We have not seen Allah…25:34 if somebody is saying…
The Islamic calendarFrom the masjid's own video, Jan 30, 2026.

Use Sha'ban to prepare for Ramadan

Al-Madina

“We have not seen Allah subhanahu ta'ala but we believe.”

The khateeb, at 19:18

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

Sha'ban should not be overlooked between Rajab and Ramadan; believers should use it to increase fasting and worship, prepare for Ramadan, and pursue success through faith, charity, enjoining good, and obedience to the Quran and Sunnah.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Explains why Sha'ban is overlooked and why the Prophet fasted in it.
  2. Recommends fasting three days and extra worship around the 15th night.
  3. Connects accepted supplication and forgiveness with avoiding shirk and resentment.
  4. Uses Surah al-Baqarah and other passages to describe faith, prayer, charity, and success.
  5. Urges enjoining good, supporting the faith, and accepting Allah's and the Prophet's judgment.
  6. Warns listeners to verify halal and haram claims through the Quran and Sunnah.
Try this week
Fast three days in Sha'ban, especially the 13th, 14th, and 15th.
Spend the 15th night in worship through Quran recitation, dhikr, dua, and Tahajjud.
Stay in the masjid after Maghrib and Isha with the intention of i'tikaf if possible.
Increase prayer, charity, and other good deeds before Ramadan.
Verify halal and haram claims against the Quran and Sunnah.
Practice enjoining good, forbidding wrong, and supporting the faith through da'wah.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 2Belief in the unseen, prayer, and spending are presented as qualities leading to guidance and success.
Surah 3Enjoining good and forbidding wrong are presented as qualities of a successful community.
Surah 7Honoring and following the Prophet and the Quran are presented as paths to success.
Surah 9Striving with wealth and oneself is associated with goodness and success.
Surah 24Believers are described as accepting Allah's and the Prophet's judgment by saying they hear and obey.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“This month also needs your attention. This month also needs that we should increase our 'amal.”
Al-Madina · Woodlawn, MD
Play from 12:18
“We have not seen Allah subhanahu ta'ala but we believe. We have not seen angels but we believe.”
Al-Madina · Woodlawn, MD
Play from 19:18
“if somebody is saying this is halal and haram and it's not giving you from the Quran and from the sunnah of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam do not accept it”
Al-Madina · Woodlawn, MD
Play from 25:34
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Sha'ban can be easy to overlook because it comes between Rajab and Ramadan, but the khateeb reminded us that it is a valuable time to prepare. He encouraged fasting, especially three days in the month, and using the 15th night for prayer, Quran, dhikr, dua, and Tahajjud. He also taught that success comes through faith, salah, charity, guiding others toward good, and following Allah's and the Prophet's guidance. When we hear a religious ruling, we should seek its basis in the Quran and Sunnah instead of following unsupported claims. The message is to use Sha'ban to strengthen our worship and enter Ramadan ready.

  1. What is one good habit you want to carry from Sha'ban into Ramadan?
  2. If we fast one of the recommended days, how can we support one another?
  3. When someone gives a religious answer, what source should we ask about?
Where it was given

The masjid

Al-Madina Masjid1502 Woodlawn Dr, Suite #102, Baltimore, MD 21207Jumu'ah Khutbah 1:30 PM · Iqamah 2:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Al-Madina30 khutbahs
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