Dear Brothers and Sisters!  

The shadow of Ramadan, the sultan of eleven months and the time of peace in our hearts, has fallen on us. Next Thursday, on the 15th night of Sha’ban, we will witness Lailatul Barat. Barat means getting rid of sin, debt and punishment in Arabic, therefore reaching the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (swt). Since it was announced that Allah’s forgiveness will be abundant, this night is called “Lailatul Barat”.

Dear Jama’ah!

Rasulullah (saw), who was sent as a mercy to all humanity, conveyed this night to us as follows: “When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision, that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on, until dawn comes.”[1]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We humans are not free from faults and mistakes. Unfortunately, in the daily flow of life, we find it difficult to protect ourselves from the sins of ignorance and neglect. However, no believer ever loses hope of the mercy and compassion of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, “Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.”[2]. In a Hadeeth-Qudsi Allah (swt) says; “My mercy has surpassed my wrath.”[3] By commanding this, attention was drawn to the infinite mercy of Allah (swt), the Most Gracious.

Dear Jama’ah!

Our Prophet (saw), who is the best example for us until the Day of Judgment made dua by saying; “O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger and in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot fully praise You, for You are as You have praised Yourself.”[4]. We, too, should always seek refuge in the mercy of Allah (swt), especially by making holy nights such as the Night of Barat a special day for ourselves. One of Allah’s beautiful names, “Al-Afuw”, which includes the meanings of forgiving, the most forgiving. We should keep in mind that Allah (swt) does not turn away any servant who takes shelter at his door.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In the Night of Barat, let’s go to our mosques with our families to benefit from the blessings of the night. Let’s call our friends, relatives, and neighbours. Let’s inform them about the beauty of the Night of Barat through our messages. Let’s not forget to remind them of the Lailatul Barat programs in our mosques and invite them to the mosque.

May Allah (swt), the Most Compassionate and Merciful, bestow blessings on the entire Ummah. May you all have a blessed Night of Barat. Ameen.

[1] İbn Mâce, H. No: 1388

[2] Surah Al-An’am, 6:54

[3] Buhârî; Tevhid, 15, Bedi’ü’l-Halk, 1; Müslim, Tevbe, 14

[4] Müslim, Salât, 222

Khutba-Lailatul Barat