Muslims urged to compete in good deeds

Muslims urged to compete in good deeds
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MAKKAH: Sheikh Osama Khayyat, an imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, on Friday called upon Muslims to compete with one another in righteous deeds in order to win the pleasure and reward of God during the holy month of Ramadan that begins on Saturday (today).

Delivering the Friday sermon, the imam also urged Muslims to work for world peace, stop bloodshed, violence and injustice.

“Ramadan is a great opportunity for Muslims to change their behavior and correct their understanding of Shariah’s objectives,” he told the crowd. Khayyat also advised Muslims to learn the message and teachings of the Qur’an.

“The Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guidance and blessing for humanity,” the imam said, urging the faithful to work hard to win the blessings of God during the fasting month.

“The beginning of Ramadan is mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is escape from hell,” the imam said while explaining a Hadith of the Prophet.

He added: “Those who fast should not only abstain from food and drinks but also from bad words and deeds. Ramadan is a high season for goodness.”

At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh delivered the Friday sermon that echoed what the imam said in Makkah: Ramadan offers a good opportunity for Muslims to compete with one another in good deeds.

“During this holy month, Muslims should think how to improve their situation,” he said. “God’s curse will be on those people who do not try to win His pardon during Ramadan and they will be sent to hell.”

Al-Asheikh called upon the owners of Arab satellite television channels to honor the sanctity of Ramadan and should not air any provocative program that goes against its spirit and message.

“Is there any big crime other than challenging God and working contrary to the teachings of His Prophet?” the imam asked. “Those who telecast indecent programs and meaningless serials in order to engage Muslims in valueless amusement should seek God’s pardon.”