Friday sermon about Ramadan: The virtues of the month and a warning against extravagance

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His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, issued a directive to all mosque preachers in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to dedicate the upcoming Friday sermon, corresponding to the third of Ramadan 1447 AH, to talking about the virtues of this holy month and how to make the best use of it, with a special focus on warning against extravagance and wastefulness.

General context and importance of guidance

This directive comes as part of the pivotal role played by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in unifying the message of Islamic outreach and guiding sermons to address issues of concern to the Muslim community, especially during important religious seasons. The Friday sermon is the most prominent weekly platform for religious and social guidance in the Islamic world, reaching millions of worshippers. Unifying the sermon's theme on major occasions, such as the beginning of Ramadan, ensures that a comprehensive and coordinated message reaches all members of society, thus strengthening religious awareness and contributing to the consolidation of authentic Islamic values.

Main themes of the sermon: Between spirituality and social responsibility

The directive emphasized that the sermon should address several key themes, combining spiritual and behavioral aspects. Among the most prominent of these themes are:

The virtues of Ramadan: This section highlights the great importance of the month, as it is the month in which the Quran was revealed, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, the devils are chained, and rewards are multiplied. This section aims to encourage Muslims to welcome the month with hearts eager for obedience.
Encouraging worship and repentance: Calling on Muslims to strive in acts of obedience such as fasting, prayer, and reading the Qur’an, and to increase their charity and good deeds, while emphasizing the importance of sincere repentance and returning to God.
The importance of fasting: reminding us that the true meaning of fasting is not limited to abstaining from food and drink, but also includes self-discipline, controlling behavior, and improving morals.
Warning against extravagance: This is a central theme of the sermon, as extravagance often increases at Iftar meals during Ramadan, both at home and at charitable Iftars. This contradicts the objectives of fasting, which are based on empathy for the poor and moderation in consumption. The sermon aims to highlight the seriousness of this phenomenon, which represents ingratitude and contradicts the values of moderation in Islam.

Expected impact of the guidance at the local and regional levels

Domestically, this directive is expected to raise awareness within Saudi society about the importance of balancing the joy of the holy month with the preservation of blessings and the avoidance of extravagance. It also reinforces a culture of social solidarity by directing excess spending towards the poor and needy. Regionally and internationally, Saudi Arabia, as the heart of the Islamic world, often garners attention for its religious initiatives. Focusing on the issue of extravagance in a unified sermon sends a powerful message to Muslims everywhere about the importance of this Islamic value, especially in light of global economic and environmental challenges that make rationalizing consumption a religious and humanitarian imperative.

The directive also emphasized that fasting is not an excuse for neglecting academic or professional duties, but rather a motivation for diligence, hard work, and mastery of work, reflecting the true values of this great act of worship and its impact on refining behavior and promoting responsibility.