11:44 Ramadan is not about…27:53 Ramadan is not coming…28:36 if food controls us…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Feb 14, 2026.

Ramadan should build lasting taqwa

ISCNY

“Ramadan is not coming to entertain us; it is coming to elevate us.”

The khateeb, at 27:53

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In one sentence

Ramadan should be used as a divinely given opportunity to build taqwa through sincere fasting, repentance, Quran, purified character, and lasting habits.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Frames Ramadan as a major mercy and calls listeners to prepare for it.
  2. Explains fasting’s purpose as taqwa, awareness of Allah, restraint, and discipline.
  3. Urges daily Quran reading, reflection, repentance, and sincere worship.
  4. Connects fasting with truthful speech, generosity, kindness, and purified character.
  5. Gives preparation steps involving prayer, Quran, charity, family, and ending a sin.
  6. Concludes that Ramadan reveals what controls the heart and can elevate believers.
Try this week
Read and reflect on at least one Quran page daily.
Prepare a Ramadan prayer schedule and Quran plan.
Prepare a charity plan and involve the family.
Repent daily and seek Allah’s forgiveness before Ramadan begins.
Choose one sin to end and one good habit to begin.
Guard the tongue from lying, backbiting, slander, mockery, and pointless speech.
Control anger and treat fasting family members kindly.
Keep fasting sincere for Allah rather than for family, culture, or reputation.
Sources the khateeb cited
Quran 2:183Uses fasting’s purpose, attaining taqwa, to define Ramadan’s central objective.
Quran 2:185Presents Ramadan as the month of Quranic revelation and guidance.
Quran 24:31Connects repentance with spiritual success.
Quran 31:34Uses human uncertainty about tomorrow and death to urge preparation.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“Ramadan is not about starving it's not about being hungry it is about disciplining the soul”
ISCNY · University Hill, NY
Play from 11:44
“Ramadan is not coming to entertain us it is coming to elevate us”
ISCNY · University Hill, NY
Play from 27:53
“if food controls us fasting will show it if anger controls us fasting will show it if our phones controls us Ramadan will expose it”
ISCNY · University Hill, NY
Play from 28:36
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

Ramadan is a mercy and a chance to grow closer to Allah, not simply a month of hunger or special meals. Fasting is meant to build taqwa: awareness of Allah, self-restraint, and discipline. We should prepare now with prayer, a daily Quran plan, charity, family intentions, repentance, and a decision to leave one sin behind. During the fast, we should guard our tongues, control anger, show kindness at home, and keep our worship sincere for Allah alone. If we use Ramadan well, its lessons can continue in our ordinary lives after the month ends.

  1. What is one habit you would like Ramadan to strengthen?
  2. How can our family make time for the Quran every day?
  3. What does being kind when we are hungry look like at home?
Where it was given

The masjid

Islamic Society of Central New York925 Comstock Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210Jumu'ah Khutbah starts 1:00 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at ISCNY15 khutbahs
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Fast the six days of Shawwal.20:06SALAM Arden · Sacramento, CA · Apr 3, 2026Six Shawwal fasts can earn a yearThe most valuable thing is time.16:36NWIIC · Crown Point, IN · Apr 3, 2026Carry Ramadan’s taqwa throughout the yearEvery single day you are doing something to make Allah happy.26:16ISGW · Worcester, MA · Apr 3, 2026Turn Ramadan’s remainder into lasting worship