Honorable Muslims!
Tomorrow evening, we will observe the blessed Lailat al-Bara'ah, which heralds the arrival of Ramadan, insha Allah. May endless praise and thanks be to our Lord Almighty (swt), Who has allowed us to reach this blessed night. Salat and salam be to our Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw). I wish you all a blessed Lailat al-Bara'ah.
Dear Believers!
The Lailat al-Bara'ah serves as a reminder for us to bring ourselves to account and to refrain from all words and behaviors that do not fit with our purpose of creation. It instructs us to abstain from all forms of anger, hatred, animosity, and hostility that undermine our brotherhood, unity and solidarity. It informs that those who conceal the faults and flaws of others will be rewarded with boundless blessings by our Lord (swt). In this regard, it is stated in the verse as follows: فَمَنْ عَفَا وَاَصْلَحَ فَاَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللّٰهِۜ "Whoever pardons and seeks reconciliation, then their reward is with Allah."[1]
Dear Muslims!
Lailat al-Bara'ah is a time for repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar). Repentance entails abstaining from persisting in sin. It involves feeling remorse for our mistakes and faults, seeking refuge in the infinite forgiveness of Allah, Who is al-Tawwab. Allah the Almighty states, "O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, so your Lord may absolve you of your sins and admit you into Gardens, under which rivers flow..."[2] So, let us seize this blessed night as an opportunity to turn over a new leaf in our lives. Let us stay away from harams that are the greatest barrier between Allah (swt) and us such as violation of public and private rights. Regardless of the graveness of our sins, let us never lose hope in Allah's (swt) mercy. Let us always remember the following hadith of our Prophet (saw): "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant when he turns penitently towards Him than one of you would be on finding the lost camel."[3]
Dear Believers!
The Lailat al-Bara'ah is also the night of du'a. Du'a is the essence of servitude and worship. Du'a is a unique blessing that grants us the strength to withstand the various trials of life. Du'a is the servant's means of expressing their conditions before their Lord (swt), acknowledging their helplessness, and seeking to attain His favor and grace. In the Holy Qur'an, it is stated as follows: اُدْعُون۪ٓي اَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْۜ "Your Lord has proclaimed, "Call upon Me, I will respond to you."[4] Our Prophet (saw) informs that on the Night of Bara'ah, Allah the Almighty addresses His servants as follows: "Is there any seeker of salvation, so that I may give it to him? Is there anyone in need of sustenance, so that I may provide his sustenance. Is there anyone suffering, so that I may cure him?"[5] So, let us sincerely pray to our Lord (swt) on this blessed night, seeking reward only from Him. Let us pray to our Lord (swt) for the health and well-being of our parents, spouses, children, relatives, neighbors, and friends. Let us beg to Allah (swt) for the survival and future of our state, the peace of our nation, and the unity and solidarity of the 'ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Let us not stop offering both verbal and tangible supplications for our brothers and sisters who are suffering under the oppression of oppressors around the world, particularly in Gaza and East Turkistan.
Dear Muslims!
Let us strive to embody the characteristics of a believer as described in the Qur'an and Sunnah, so that we may be among those who receive their bara'ah. Let us diligently obey our Lord's (swt) commandments and steadfastly avoid His prohibitions to the best of our ability. Let us distance ourselves from all forms of evil, injustice, and wrongdoing. Let us mend broken hearts and resolve resentments. Let us make peace with those who have rights over us. Let us persist in extending support to the oppressed and the abandoned, standing in solidarity with them in their rightful cause, and maintaining our boycott against oppressors and their allies.
I would like to take this opportunity to pray to Allah the Almighty that the Night of Bara'ah may be auspicious for our beloved nation, for the 'ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), and for all humanity. I pray to our Almighty Lord (swt) that all the oppressed, especially those in Gaza and East Turkestan, may attain salvation.
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[1] Shura, 42/40.
[2] Tahrim, 66/8.
[3] Muslim, Tawbah, 2.
[4] Mu'min, 40/60.
[5] Ibn Majah, Iqamat, 191.
General Directorate of Religious Services