https://www.khutbah.info/the-types-of-people-in-ramadan/ Ramadan has come upon you, gladly received and cherished, adding to its majesty and enhancing its beauty. This month arrived bearing hunger and thirst. You see food before you, your soul desires it, your hand can reach it, yet you do not eat it. Thirst burns within your core, water is all around you, yet you do not quench your thirst. Drowsiness overtakes you and sleep embraces your eyelids, and then Ramadan came to awaken you for your pre-dawn meal (suḥūr). These are lessons in patience and perseverance. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Fasting is half of patience, and purification is half of iman (faith). [At-Tirmidhi 3519, Grade: Hasan]
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ , وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ , وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ , وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102
Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
Oh people:
Ramadan has come upon you, gladly received and cherished, adding to its majesty and enhancing its beauty. This month arrived bearing hunger and thirst. You see food before you, your soul desires it, your hand can reach it, yet you do not eat it. Thirst burns within your core, water is all around you, yet you do not quench your thirst. Drowsiness overtakes you and sleep embraces your eyelids, and then Ramadan came to awaken you for your pre-dawn meal (suḥūr).
These are lessons in patience and perseverance. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وَالصَّوْمُ نِصْفُ الصَّبْرِ وَالطُّهُورُ نِصْفُ الْإِيمَانِ
Fasting is half of patience, and purification is half of iman (faith). [At-Tirmidhi 3519, Grade: Hasan]
So congratulations to the fasting person! They are rewarded for their thirst and hunger by the One who does not wrong anyone by so much as an atom’s weight.
Allah Almighty said:
ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا مَخْمَصَةٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَا يَطَئُونَ مَوْطِئًا يَغِيظُ الْكُفَّارَ وَلَا يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَيْلًا إِلَّا كُتِبَ لَهُمْ بِهِ عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ-التوبة 120
At-Tawbah (9) 120: That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allāh, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
Ramadan has come so that people may turn in repentance to their Lord, and head to His Houses (the masjeds) to enliven them with the night prayers (tarāwīḥ) and remembrance. Across the earth, masjeds are brimming with worshippers standing in unison, their feet lined up, their foreheads touching the floor at the same time: the rich and the poor, the humble and the noble, the pauper and the minister—together, they all humble themselves before Allah, and He, in turn, through this humility, grants them honor above all people—provided their intention is sincere and their action are in accordance with the sunnah.
No wonder, whoever humbles themselves before Allah is elevated by Allah. Whoever is a devoted, obedient servant of Allah, Allah makes them eminent among the people. And whoever is with Allah by following His ordainments and adhering to His commands and prohibitions, Allah is with them by granting them victory, success, and forgiveness. Through this, the beloved companions prevailed over others, attained glory in every way. They established a state whose nobility, excellence, generosity, and justice history has never matched. So what remains after the truth except error?!
Indeed, they were not empty vessels. They are remembered whenever Ramadan is mentioned, and Ramadan is mentioned whenever they are remembered. For in this month, the Qur’an was revealed to the best of humanity ﷺ and the Quran is one’s life upon death and their light in darkness.
Ramadan is the month of love and harmony. Therefore, during it, let your hearts be more accommodating, your tongues more gentle, and distance yourselves from quarrelling and evil. If you see a mistake from your family, then bear it. If you find a gap, then close it and be patient upon it. If someone initiates a quarrel with you, then do not respond in kind. Rather, respond:
I am fasting.
Otherwise, how could anyone who scorns such etiquette hope for the reward of fasting, when they refrain from permissible food yet break their fast on what is forbidden?!
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَه
Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink. [Al-Bukhari 1903]
People’s relationship with Ramadan varies and truly spans a very wide range. Among them are those who view Ramadan as nothing more than a form of deprivation without benefit – a religious ritual with no basis. Thus, they are intent upon breaking their fast during it—whether they do so openly or secretly. These are among those who have disbelieved after having believed, and increased in their disbelief. They believe that fasting suppresses freedom, which in their view means the unrestrained pursuit of desires and passions, indulging in them without limit or restriction.
Far from it, this “freedom” is a deception. First of all, it amounts to nothing but chaos, and in the end, it is humiliating enslavement of the body.
There are also some, who regard Ramadan merely as unbearable hunger and severe thirst beyond what they can endure. They are weary at the mere mention of Ramadan. Its arrival is burden to them, and its completion is a struggle. They regard it as a restrictive shackle upon their desires and lusts, so they fast it reluctantly. Such people and their likes have missed out on the sweetness of iman (faith) and the joy of the righteous in submitting to the Creator in His commands and decrees:
وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيَخْتَارُ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ-القصص: 68
Allah Almighty said:
Al-Qasas (28) 68: And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allāh and high above what they associate with Him.
O Allah, make our outcome good in all matters, and save us from the disgrace of this world and the torment of the Hereafter.
There are those, who see Ramadan as a yearly occasion for tables filled with all kinds and varieties of foods, and an opportunity for amusement and late-night gatherings stretching until dawn, so that their days become like their nights. They live in perpetual darkness, and their eyes are fatigued and strained from prolonged wakefulness. Ramadan has come to them while the Muslims’ misfortunes are many. These people’s ultimate act of piety during this month is an empty pursuit of trivial and questionable entertainment without regard for moral considerations. Activities that undermine or destroy any remaining sense of modesty, chastity, or genuine religiosity worthy of encouragement and support. Allah Almighty said:
وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ-يوسف 103
Yusuf (12) 103: And most of the people, although you strive [for it], are not believers.
As for the minority of people, although they are many, by Allah’s grace, see in Ramadan something entirely different, far more exalted. They see in it Divine refinement through Allah- consciousness, gracious generosity, and noble patience. They understand it as a series of lessons for every generation—lessons one cannot learn in schools or universities. These, are the ones who truly benefit from Ramadan, who find in its daytime the delight of true virtue and genuine freedom, as well as perseverance in difficulty. These and their likes are those for whom the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hellfire are closed. They are the ones who exit Ramadan with their sins forgiven and their mistakes atoned. Those of lofty soul, honorable aims, noble purpose, and a rightly guided heart. Indeed, they are the ones who rectify conditions and bring joy to communities. How badly the Muslim Ummah needs people like them in every time and in every place!
أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Khutbah
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
Oh Muslims:
Some Muslim youth fast by merely refraining from food. They drift through Ramadan without making use of it or using their time for that which benefits and enriches them. Remaining in this sorry state creates persistent problems for both their families and society. We are in need of rectifying their character, elevating their thinking, curbing their aimlessness and wasting their time in vain and convincing them that idleness leads to ruin.
As for the Muslim woman, she is man’s counterpart. Indeed, she is half of society. And she gives birth to the other half, so it is as if she is an entire society on to herself. Should her activity in Ramadan be limited to cooking and delving into the culinary arts and varieties of drinks? Or should she be roaming constantly, clothed yet unclothed, tempting and being tempted—while giving no thought to drawing near to her Creator through recitation of the Qur’an, supererogatory prayers, charity, enjoining good, or forbidding evil?
In her home and family, where her leadership is recognized, has she forgotten that she is a nurturer of virtuous generations? A woman’s role in observing Ramadan has never been less than a man’s. The Mothers of the Believers themselves joined the Prophet in whatever he would do, be it fasting, praying at night, giving, or generosity.
Al-Bukhari narrated:
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا دَخَلَ العَشْرُ شَدَّ مِئْزَرَهُ، وَأَحْيَا لَيْلَهُ وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ
When the last ten [nights] (of Ramadan) began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist-wrap (i.e., exert himself), spend his night in worship, and wake up his family. [ Al-Bukhari 2024]
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ:
If I realize which night is the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), what should I say in it?
He ﷺ replied:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning and love to pardon, so pardon me. [Sunan Ibn Majah 3850, Grade: Sahih]
So, be conscious of Allah, and show Allah what you can do during this blessed month. Truly, Allah has special blessings, and whoever misses out on them misses out on much good. Rejoice, in the words of the Chosen One ﷺ, in the hadith qudsī:
يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الصَّوْمُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ
Allah (Mighty and Exalted) says: Fasting is for Me, and I will grant its reward. [Al-Bukhari 7538 and Muslim 1151f]
We ask Allah Almighty to accept our fasting, night prayers and all of our good deeds. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.
هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
عِبَادَ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
Click here to download a ready to deliver Khutbah transcript in pdf format