Learn patience to refine behaviour

Patience is one of the most important values to learn during Ramadan, worshippers will hear today.

The Friday sermon says that Ramadan is “a school in which fasting Muslims see their behaviour refined and character elevated”. The Prophet Mohammed had said to one of his companions: “Observe fasting in the month of patience, Ramadan.”

“Indeed, patience is a doorway to every virtue and a cause for all that which is good,” says the sermon. “It is one of the bounties endowed upon us by Allah, the Most Great.”

Perserverance strengthens man’s endurance so that he abstains from his desires, engages diligently in acts of obedience to Allah, and refrains from doing all that He has prohibited.

Another value one learns during Ramadan is to treat others with kindness. That complements and perfects patience in performing acts of worship.

“So, a fasting Muslim should only say that which is good and choose the finest and most lenient words of mouth,” says the sermon.

Being kind while talking to others and avoiding backbiting are among the qualities that Muslims should embrace during the holy month.

To ensure that their fasting is correct, Muslims should also be mindful of Allah.

They should maintain trust and fulfill covenants, keep promises, excel in work, and develop society, according to the sermon.

An illustration of this is in the Aya in which Allah says: “O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” (Al Anfal: 24).

“Knowing this, you are urged to preserve the achievements that you have earned during the holy month once it has ended,” worshippers will hear today.

“One of the important values that a Muslim acquires during Ramadan is the value of sustainability and maintaining whatever one has achieved during it.

“This was amongst the things that our Master Mohammed was keen to do.

“Thus he was steadfast on performing each act of worship or obedience that he performed in Ramadan.”