“After 11 months of hard work, the month to free our minds from worldly worries and cares and sins has come. We have to rearrange our priorities, learn from the past and plan our future in a manner that pleases the Creator,” the sheikh said in his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque.

Millions of pilgrims and visitors from all over the world attended the prayers shortly after midday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

“This is the month when the sinners look for ways to change their lifestyle so that his inner knowledge and spirituality bring him back to the right path,” the imam said.

He added that Ramadan is also the time of the Holy Qur’an, where Muslims recite and study the sacred book more than in any other month.

“Fasting men and women devote most of their time to the recitation and contemplation of the Holy Qur’an, which tells inspiring parables of truth prevailing over falsehood and good over evil.”

The imam warned Muslims not to make the month an annual occasion for eating excessively, amusement or watching degrading movies.

In his sermon at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Friday, Sheikh Salahuddin Al-Budair urged believers to follow the right path shown by Allah.

He said Ramadan is a time of patience and virtue, adding that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to work very hard during the month performing virtuous acts.

He also warned Muslims against violating the sanctity of the holy month with lies and fraudulent acts.

He urged believers to be aware of the suffering of the hungry and sick.