Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Next Monday, we will enter the “Three Sacred Months”, a period of mercy and forgiveness, which includes Ramadan, the sultan of the eleven months. The night that connects Thursday to Friday this coming week is the “Night of Raghaib”. Raghaib, which means to desire, wish for and turn towards something, is a blessed night that gives us the opportunity to reflect on and reassess our personal goals, desires and directions in life. It is a chance for “self-accountability” that enables a believer to progress spiritually and morally. Rasulullah (saw) said: “The intelligent person is the one who calls himself to account and works for what comes after death.”[1]

Dear Jama’ah!
Our life is not limited to this worldly existence. The world is a stopping place on our journey that comes from Allah and moves towards Allah. Our journey is towards our eternal home, the Hereafter.[2] Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) emphasised this by saying: “What connection do I have with this world? I am like a traveller who takes shade under a tree, then rises and moves on.”[3] Therefore, let us be determined to nurture and prepare our Hereafter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
As we stand near the Three Sacred Months, they present us, as Muslims, with an opportunity for purification, renewal and drawing closer to Allah. In this blessed period, we should perform our prayers with humility, strengthen our bond with the Qur’an, engage abundantly in dua and seeking forgiveness and purify our tongues from backbiting and our hearts from hatred and arrogance. We should discipline our souls through voluntary fasting and fulfill our social responsibility through charity and giving. We must not let these months pass in neglect.

We should regard each day as a gate of mercy and each night as a means of forgiveness and enter Ramadan with a sharpened awareness and a pure, sincere heart, prepared through worship. The Three Sacred Months are a time of spiritual growth for us. Let us strive to live in accordance with the purpose of our existence and to worship Allah (swt) as He deserves. Let goodness, beauty and righteousness be our defining qualities. Let us distance ourselves from and cleanse ourselves of whatever produces evil and ugliness. During these blessed months, let us keep our sense of unity of the ummah alive. Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Palestine, East Turkestan and many other oppressed areas in our prayers. Let us supplicate to Allah (swt) with a dua that our Prophet (saw) frequently made during these months: “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha‘ban blessed for us, and allow us to reach Ramadan.”[4] Ameen!

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
As Islamic Community Milli Görüş (ICMG), our annual mosque membership campaign will begin this year on December 21, marking the start of the Three Sacred Months, and will conclude with Eid al-Fitr. This campaign aims to bring us all together and revive our sense of unity. By becoming members of our mosques and encouraging others to join, we safeguard ourselves, our children, our families, our community and our future. Let us be an active part of our mosque and jama’ah. Let us include our families and surroundings in these blessings. Let us not forget that our mosques will continue to exist and illuminate our present and future thanks to your support. Let us pray that our mosques and Muslims endure until the Day of Judgment, that our unity remains steadfast and that our brotherhood remains strong. Ameen.

[1] Tirmizî, Sıfatü’l-Kıyâme, 25

[2] Surah Al-‘Ankabut 29:64

[3] Tirmizî, Zühd, 44

[4] Ahmed bin Hanbel, Müsned, 1/259

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