Ramadan & fastingFrom the masjid's own video, Sep 3, 2025.
Approach Ramadan as a better person
“Am I going to approach this Ramadan being a better person than I was last year?”
In one sentence
As Ramadan approaches, believers should reflect on life's brevity and turn gratitude into consistent worship, self-improvement, repentance, charity, and community support.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Expresses gratitude for having both the will and ability to attend congregational prayer.
- Uses personal stories of death and bereavement to emphasize life's fragility and shared communal pain.
- Urges self-examination before Ramadan, focusing on becoming better than one's former self.
- Challenges listeners to normalize specific duas and phrases of remembrance in daily life.
- Encourages Quran reading, mosque attendance, daily charity, and strengthening Muslim community centers.
- Concludes with supplications, Quranic reminders, and the call to prayer.
Try this week
Say Allahumma barik when witnessing someone's success or good news.
Recite Rabbi inni lima anzalta alayya min khayrin faqir during hardship or when seeking goodness.
Recite Allahumma inni as'aluk al-afiyah for wellbeing, protection, provision, and forgiveness.
Say astaghfirullahi wa atubu alayhi during jealousy, hurt, or self-reflection.
Say bismillah, alhamdulillah, subhanallah, la ilaha illallah, and astaghfirullah regularly.
Create four personal challenges to improve during Ramadan.
Open the Quran, attend prayers at the masjid, and donate a dollar daily if able.
Quotes
In the khateeb's words
“The first is the will and the second is the ability.”
“It is a competition between you and yourself. Am I going to approach this Ramadan being a better person than I was last year?”
“So normalize saying Allahumma barik when you see someone's success, when you hear of good news and know that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has goodness in favor for you as well.”
“If you haven't yet opened up the Quran and it's been sitting on the shelf, open it up.”
Talk about it at home
For the dinner table
The speaker reminds us to be thankful that Allah has given us both the desire and the ability to gather for prayer. Stories of illness and loss show that life is fragile, so we should use our time well and prepare sincerely for Ramadan. Ramadan is not about competing with other people, but about becoming better than we were before. We can prepare by remembering Allah often, asking forgiveness, reading Quran, attending the masjid, giving charity, and supporting our Muslim community.
- What is one blessing you have both the will and the ability to use this week?
- What personal habit would you like to improve during Ramadan?
- Which phrase of remembrance could our family practice together every day?
Keep listening
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