18:59 the prophet died upon…25:07 then you plan you…27:37 the prophet did its…
Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Apr 10, 2026.

Follow the Prophet’s final fasting practices

Imam al-Asr

“The Prophet died upon this practice, so this became his final Sunnah.”

The khateeb, at 18:59

Watch the khutbahFamily kit
In one sentence

The khutbah argues that Muslims should follow the Prophet’s final, authoritative fasting practices while using fasting, prayer, suhoor, iftar, Eid customs, and i'tikaaf to cultivate spiritual and bodily well-being.

The khutbah in 6 steps

  1. Introduces fasting as both a Ramadan obligation and a broader Prophetic spiritual practice.
  2. Explains why later, complete teachings transmitted through Ahlulbayt determine which hadith-based practices remain authoritative.
  3. Traces the Prophet’s fasting from alternate-day fasting to three middle days, then to three days spread across each month.
  4. Describes recommended iftar foods, suhoor, and different eating times on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
  5. Presents recommended fasting and two-rak'ah prayer as responses to distress and sources of tranquility.
  6. Closes by highlighting i'tikaaf, including the Prophet’s making up time missed during the Battle of Badr.
Try this week
Fast three days each month according to the Sunnah: the first Thursday, a middle Wednesday, and the last Thursday.
Break the fast with something sweet, dates, or lukewarm water, following the Prophet’s practice.
Have suhoor before fasting, even if it is only a sip of water and a date.
Eat before the Eid al-Fitr prayer, and eat after the Eid al-Adha prayer.
When distressed, plan and consult, then try a recommended fast and two rak'ah of Salat al-Hajah.
Learn about and practice i'tikaaf as a spiritual retreat in the mosque.
Sources the khateeb cited
Surah 5Uses the wudu verse to argue that the final revealed practice is authoritative.
Surah 2Uses the change of qibla to illustrate gradual refinement and abrogation of religious obligations.
Quotes

In the khateeb's words

“the prophet died upon this practice so this became his final sunnah”
Imam al-Asr · Alexandria, VA
Play from 18:59
“then you plan you consult you pray and all of those things they help”
Imam al-Asr · Alexandria, VA
Play from 25:07
“the prophet did its qaba' because he missed i'takaaf not because he was vacationing in Costa Rica no he was fighting the battle of Badr for the protection and the defense of the Muslim state”
Imam al-Asr · Alexandria, VA
Play from 27:37
Talk about it at home

For the dinner table

The khutbah teaches that fasting is more than avoiding food and drink during Ramadan; it is also a spiritual practice found throughout the Prophet’s life. The Prophet’s final Sunnah was to fast three days each month, and he also modeled thoughtful suhoor and breaking the fast with dates, something sweet, or water. When life feels stressful, fasting and prayer can help us seek patience, peace, and God’s support alongside practical planning and consultation. The sermon also reminds us that i'takaaf, a spiritual retreat in the mosque, was important enough for the Prophet to make up time he had missed.

  1. Which three days each month could be easiest for you to fast?
  2. What helps you stay patient when you are hungry, worried, or stressed?
  3. What might a meaningful family spiritual retreat look like?
Where it was given

The masjid

Imam al-Asr Masjid5501 Cherokee Ave, Alexandria, VA 22312Jumu'ah 1:15 PMArchiveAll khutbahs at Imam al-Asr9 khutbahs
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