Mohammed Suleiman Al Suqaitri Pic: Tayeb Bashir / The Peninsula
Doha: Ramadan is a time for kindness and being free from bad habits, a good chance to adopt a better lifestyle.
The Peninsula visited the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque, the Qatar State Grand Mosque, and spoke to Muhammad Suleiman Al Suqaitri, Imam of a mosque and preacher at the Ministry of Awqaf.
Al Suqaitri stressed that the moderation of Islam is that the month of Ramadan represents an opportunity for healthy eating without extravagance, unlike what some fasting people do, who make the holy month an opportunity for craving and fullness. This explains the insatiable appetite for buying, storing, and racing for grocery stores at the beginning of the month.
Al Suqaitri also praised the affluent people who make tables to feed the poor that extend a clear generosity to all guests, to reflect the authentic Arab generosity in all neighbourhoods of the State of Qatar, and perhaps this is closer to the spirit of Ramadan, stressing that many low-income people are waiting for these blessed days to get enough food for them for the following months, and this represents relief and mercy, except for other forms of spending, zakat, alms and gifts that many Muslims are keen to make during the holy month of Ramadan.
Al Suqaitri also pointed out that the number of worshipers in mosques has increased significantly in the month of Ramadan, especially for Taraweeh prayers, and this is a social manifestation provided by the holy month, where worshipers exchange greetings and news, which represents an opportunity for a form of social communication and checking conditions in a way that is not necessarily available in other months of the year.
He concluded by explaining the hadeeth that urges Muslims to perform Tawba at any time, assuring that it is never too late to do so.
