The Final Countdown: Getting Our Hearts Ready for Ramadan by Hakeem Abdur Rahman, Masjid Fatimah

Описание: Preparing Our Hearts for Ramadan - by Hakeem Abdur Rahman
February 6, 2026 / 18 Sha'ban 1447 Masjid Fatimah Islamic Center
*Theme:* The Final Countdown: Getting Our Hearts Ready for Ramadan

*In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.*

All praise is due to Allah, who gave us the seasons of worship and blessed us with the month of mercy and forgiveness. Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who taught us how to prepare for and welcome Ramadan with joy and longing.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are now at a beautiful moment—Sha'ban is nearly over, and Ramadan is just around the corner. In fact, by the time we gather for the next Friday prayer, most of us may already be fasting, inshaAllah. This is our final Friday before the most blessed month of the year.

So let's ask ourselves today: *Are we truly ready to welcome R….?*

When we prepare for a special guest, we don’t wait until they arrive to start cleaning the house, preparing the food, or arranging the welcome. We do it in advance. And who is more deserving of preparation than Ramadan—the month of the Quran, the month of mercy, the month when the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ understood this well. He used Sha'ban as his spiritual warm-up. Aisha (ra) reported:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fast an entire month except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha'ban.” (Bukhari and Muslim)*

Why? Because Sha'ban is like the runner stretching before the race, like the student reviewing notes before the exam. It’s the heart preparing itself to truly receive Ramadan—not just as days of hunger and thirst, but as days of transformation, closeness to Allah, and soul-deep renewal.

Brothers and sisters,

Before Ramadan arrives in just days, let’s do a simple, sincere heart check. Let’s ask ourselves:

1. *What is my intention?*
Am I fasting this Ramadan just because everyone else is? Or because I truly want to purify my heart, seek forgiveness, and come closer to my Creator? Let’s renew our intention: “O Allah, I want this Ramadan to be the one that changes me forever.”

2. *What is my relationship with the Quran?*
Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Let’s commit now—even if it’s just a few verses a day—to read with understanding, reflect with our hearts, and live with its guidance. The Quran is Allah’s mercy to us; let’s treat it as the companion it is meant to be.

3. *Who do I need to forgive?*
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except the person between whom and his brother there is enmity. It is said: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’”
(Muslim)
Let’s clear our hearts of grudges before Ramadan begins. Call, message, or visit. Apologize, forgive, and let go. Don’t let pride steal your blessings.




4. *What is my plan?*
Fasting without a spiritual plan is like traveling without a map. Let’s set simple, sincere goals:
Pray every Fajr and Isha in the mosque when possible.
Give regular charity, even if small.
Control our tongues from gossip and anger.
Make heartfelt du'a, especially in the last third of the night if we can.

5. *How will I welcome Ramadan?*
With joy! The Prophet ﷺ would give glad tidings of Ramadan’s arrival. Let’s prepare our homes and families with an atmosphere of worship, kindness, and joy—not stress, overeating at iftar, or wasting time.
Remember, Ramadan is not a burden—it is a gift. It’s a golden chance to reset our faith, refresh our hearts, and return to Allah.















2 Sha‘ban Teaches Balance, Not Burnout
Dear brothers and sisters,
Some people rush so hard before Ramadan that they burn out before it arrives.
Islam teaches balance.
Allah says: يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ
“Allah intends ease for you, not hardship.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185
Prepare calmly.
Prepare sincerely.
Prepare wisely.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Ramadan does not start with the moon —
It starts with the heart.
Let us prepare with sincerity, calmness, and hope.
📿 DU‘A Let’s make du'a together:
O Allah, prepare our hearts for Ramadan.
O Allah, forgive our sins and soften our hearts.
O Allah, help us worship You with sincerity and balance.
O Allah, bless our families and unite our hearts.
O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan and accept it from us.

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ —-----اللهم انصر الإسلام والمسلمين في كل مكان
اللَّهُمَّ أنْجِ المُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ المُؤْمِنِين
اللهم انصر إخواننا في كل مكان
اللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا المُسْلِمِيْنَ فِي فِلَسْطِيْن