Ramadan teaches us to resist sin
“Taqwa comes from the root word of wikaya, to protect yourself from the punishment of Allah and from what angers Allah.”
Ramadan’s purpose is to cultivate taqwa by resisting sin and desire, using dua and difficult obedience, while modeling that purity for the next generation and preserving the masjid.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Ramadan passes quickly, so worshippers should reassess the first ten days and improve during the remaining days.
- The goal of fasting is taqwa, expressed through pleasing Allah and avoiding what He forbids rather than merely counting visible deeds.
- Resisting sin, desire, laziness, and greed is an inner struggle that leads toward Jannah.
- Ramadan offers special opportunities for dua, including while fasting, at iftar, between adhan and iqamah, and during the last third of the night.
- The community must preserve the masjid by modeling worship for children and supporting their Islamic education.
In the khateeb's words
“Taqwa comes from the root word of wikaya, to protect yourself from the punishment of Allah and from what angers Allah.”
“But if a person achieves taqwa in their heart and they feel closer to Allah and their iman increases more, they may be better than a person who did more khatms.”
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala can change anything in a moment.”
“When I read Quran in the house, my kids are also reading Quran. Or I'm helping them to read Quran.”
For the dinner table
Sheikh Yousef reminded us that Ramadan passes quickly, so we should pause and think about how we are growing. The goal of fasting is taqwa: pleasing Allah through good actions and staying away from what He has forbidden. Our worship matters, and we should also pay attention to what is happening in our hearts; even resisting a sin for Allah’s sake can earn a good deed. When doing good feels difficult, we can keep trying and ask Allah for help through dua, remembering our families and people who are oppressed. He also encouraged us to nurture the next generation through our example, shared worship, and education, so our children can help our masjids flourish.
- What is one good action that feels hard sometimes, and how could we help each other do it?
- What would you like to ask Allah to help you grow in?
- What could our family do to make reading Quran or going to the masjid something we enjoy together?
More on Ramadan & fasting
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