Dear Muslims!
Our Lord Almighty (swt) has created human in the best fashion and bestowed countless blessings upon them. He (swt) has put the universe to their service and made them the addressee of the revelation. He (swt) has many prophets as a manifestation of His (swt) grace.
All prophets have invited humanity to al-Haqq and the truth, as well as the eternal salvation. This appeal is the common call to the divine truth in the words of all prophets. This call is the call for exaltation of human created as the most honorable creation of the universe. This call is the call to tawhid that provides true freedom by saving people from being servants for other people. This call is the call of the Islamic civilization characterized by knowledge, insight, wisdom, and justice. Whoever lends an ear to this call gets exalted. Whoever responds to this invitation attains salvation.
Honorable Believers!
It is stated in the Holy Qur'an, "And whose words are better than someone who calls others to Allah, does good, and says, 'I am truly one of those who submit.'?"[1] The Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) is the last inviter and best representative of this divine call. Our Prophet (saw), who says "I was sent to perfect the good character."[2], invited people to faith and good morals. Lending an ear to his (saw) call and striving for having his good character are the greatest duty of believers.
Dear Muslims!
His (saw) call is to worship and salvation. Our Lord (swt) states, "O believers! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord, and do what is good so that you may be successful."[3] The road to salvation is through heeding this call. The path to salvation is through worshiping our Lord (swt), prostrating for Him, and doing good deeds. It is not possible to attain peace without lending an ear to this call rising from places of worship, and standing in prayer before Him (swt) five times a day. It is not possible to earn His (swt) consent without obeying His (swt) commands and prohibitions, observing what is halal and what is haram, and remembering Him (swt) at all times.
Dear Believers!
The call of the Prophet (saw) is to benevolence and piety. Allah the Almighty states, وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰىۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِۖ "Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness. Do not cooperate in sin and transgression."[4] Islam is purely good. Therefore, we should do good and do what we do in the best manner possible. We should come together around the good, help one another in the cause of the good, and be with the good. Only the good can attain piety and only the good can make it to paradise, which is the home of the good.
Respected Muslims!
The Prophet's call is to unity and brotherhood. Our Lord (swt) states, وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰهِ جَم۪يعاً وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواۖ "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided."[5] Allah (swt), Who has created us from the same father and our father from dust, has brought our hearts together around the same belief and our bodies on the same row. Therefore, let us heed this call that shows us the way to the peace both in this world and in the Hereafter. Let us seek grace in prostration, and honor on the path of Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw). Let us not forget that salvation can be attained through faith, peace can be attained through Islam, and a good life can be attained through good character.
Dear Believers!
This year, the Mawlid al-Nabi Week and the Mosques and Religious Officials Week will be observed concurrently between October 1 and October 15. This year, the Presidency of Religious Affairs' theme for this week is "Our Prophet, Mosque, and Guidance". We will try to come to know our Prophet (saw) better, understand him (saw) better, and, in particular, recall and mirror in our lives his (saw) method of guidance, communication, and invitation via the activities that will be organized through the week. Moreover, we will reflect on the place and significance of mosques in our civilization, and remember with appreciation and gratitude our religious officials who have worked in religious services, as well as the sacrifices of our selfless nation in the improvement of mosques and Qur'an courses.
I would like to take this opportunity to pray to Allah the Almighty (swt) that the two weeks may be auspicious for our great nation and the Muslim world. I pray for Allah's (swt) mercy on our deceased congreation members and religious officials who have worked in the establishment and improvement of our mosques from past to present; and health, peace, and well-being to those who are still alive. I invite you all, my dear brothers and sisters, to participate in all of the events that we have organized.
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[1] Fussilat, 41/33.
[2] Ibn Hanbal, II, 381.
[3] Hajj, 22/77.
[4] Ma'idah, 5/2.
[5] Al-i 'Imran, 3/103.
General Directorate of Religious Services