In his sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais urged worshipers to observe the holy month of Ramadan in the true spirit of a Muslim according to the teachings of the faith.
“Ramadan offers the greatest opportunity to believers to do virtuous acts that would lead them to eternal joy in paradise. The goal of the fasting is to purify our souls,” Al-Sudais said.
Ramadan is a month full of happiness and piety for all Muslims, the imam said, pointing out that it is a month to advocate peace, unity and understanding among Muslims. The Holy Qur'an was first revealed to humanity during the latter part of this month.
The imam said it is a month that Muslims should lay down their arms and put an end to destruction and bloodshed.
"Muslims should take care of their nation's security, stability and tranquility," the imam added.
The imam also called on the media not to air programs that would spoil the sanctity of the month.
Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, imam of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, said the holy month provides a good opportunity for Muslims to cultivate healthy habits.
Explaining the virtues of the holy month, he said good deeds performed by Muslims during this month will be richly rewarded by the Almighty Allah.
“Those who perform good deeds will enter paradise in the hereafter, while those who ignore the tenets of the religion would meet with severe punishment,” he said.
The imam also reminded Muslims to give zakat (charity) during this month and refrain from all actions abhorred by the religion.
An imam in a masjid in Farazdak area called on the members of the congregation to cultivate the habit of fasting among their children. He added that such habits will go a long way in children’s lives.
The imam also said the religion allows the sick to abstain from fasting but he stressed that they have to feed the poor in compensation for their loss of fasting days.
Pregnant and feeding mothers can refrain from fasting but they have to cover the lost days during their healthy periods.
Quoting the Prophet (peace be upon him), the imam of a mosque in Nasseriyah said: “A day of fasting during this holy month will keep a Muslim away from hell for 70 years.” He said Muslims must mentally prepare themselves to perform meritorious deeds during the holy month.
— Md Rasooldeen in Riyadh contributed to this report.
