Honorable Muslims!
We are experiencing sadness and happiness at the same time as the time flows rapidly, and we are approaching the last days of Ramadan, the month of healing that came as a blessing to our hearts thirsty for our Lord's (swt) forgiveness, mercy, and boundless grace. We are excitedly waiting to welcome the Lailat al-Qadr, which will tend to be a relief and peace of heart, during these pandemic days that leave us sour. Inshaallah, tomorrow night we will observe the Lailat al-Qadr. May endless praise be to Allah (swt) who have allowed us to reach these days. I wish you all a blessed Lailat al-Qadr.
Dear Muslims!
The Almighty Allah (swt) has revealed the Holy Qur'an so that all humanity is enabled to reach the light of Islam from the darkness of polytheism, oppression, persecution, and ignorance, and to reach spiritual maturity. He (swt) has elevated the value of everything that is strongly connected to the Qur'an, and promised to bless the lives of those who strive to recite, understand and live by it. The month in which the Qur'an was revealed became the sultan of eleven months and the night it was revealed became the Lailat al-Qadr, the night better than a thousand months.
Dear Believers!
The Lailat al-Qadr is the night when our Lord Almighty (swt) manifests Himself on earth with His name "al-Salam" as well as the night He (swt) promises to instill peace and serenity in the believing hearts. The Lailat al-Qadr is a night of spiritual opportunity with an abundance of blessings, grace, prosperity and offerings. In this respect, Allah the Almighty (swt) states in the Surah al-Qadr as follows: "Indeed, We sent it [i.e., the Qur'an] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."[1]
Dear Believers!
Then, let us review our connection to the book of our life, the Qur'an, on the Lailat al-Qadr, when the Qur'an was sent down. Let us contemplate about the reason of our creation and renew our covenant of servitude to our Lord (swt). Let us spend this holy night with worship, acts of servitude, dhikr, tasbih, repentance and praying for forgiveness. Let us supplicate to Allah (swt) to be safe from the pandemic and be cured from all kinds of material and spiritual diseases. Let us keep repeating the following supplication the Prophet Muhammad (saw) recommends making on this night: "O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me!"[2]
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[1] Qadr, 97/1-5.
[2] Tirmidhi, Da'awat, 84.
General Directorate of Religious Services