The holy month of Ramadan is a time for repentance and devotion to God, worshippers are reminded in today's sermon. "[Ramadan] is a blessed month filled with mercy and forgiveness," the sermon tells worshippers. "It is a time to abide by the rules of religion and to practise patience, tolerance and generosity while avoiding everything inappropriate."
Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims are urged to welcome the time with purity and piety as the Prophet did. "The Prophet said: 'Ramadan, the blessed month, is upon you. God ordained that you dedicate it to fasting. During this month, the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are shut. One night in Ramadan is worth a thousand months'." The sermon goes on to focus on breaking the fast. It says Muslims should not overindulge and must avoid wasting food. Surplus food must be given away to the poor, as prescribed by the Prophet. The Red Crescent Authority will be assisting in this through its Hifz al Ni'ma project, which will distribute food to deserving people.
The sermon also asks worshippers to ration their consumption of water and electricity, as God does not favour the wasteful.
newsdesk@thenational.ae