We are on the eve of the blessed month of Ramadan, the only month mentioned by name in the Qur'an. As we leave behind the first two of the three months known as Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan, we are excited to enter the month of Ramadan.
A believer never loses hope in the mercy and compassion of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says in the Quran, "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” Additionally, in a sacred saying of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Allah emphasises His infinite mercy towards His servants by stating, "My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This highlights the boundless mercy of Allah, the Most Merciful, towards His creation.
Racism is prejudice, discrimination or aggression towards other people based on their belonging to a different race or ethnic origin. In our era, we witness wars and conflicts stemming from this wrongdoing, leading to bloodshed, tears and atrocities. Millions of people in different parts of the world are practically subjected to genocide, with survivors being displaced from their homes and becoming refugees. Feeling superior to others based on the ethnic group one is born into is a symptom of a soul in need of healing.
Taqwa is to avoid the punishment of Allah by obeying Him and to protect oneself from behaviours that are not pleasing to His will. Piety is the sole measure that gives us value in the sight of Allah (swt).
InshAllah we will observe the Night of Miraj, which holds great importance for the Islamic world, on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Narrated by Abu Bakr (ra), our Prophet (saw) said: 'If a person commits a sin, performs ablution afterwards, then gets up and prays two rakats and seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will certainly forgive him.' In the Quran, in the creation of the first human, the physical structure, namely his body, is referred to as "bashar”. When the soul is breathed into it and it attains the capacity to bear the divine trust, the being is then characterised as "human." The most important stage in the transition from being a "bashar" to a human is taught to us in the story of Adam (as). After approaching the forbidden tree, a sense of remorse was felt and and the call was made to Allah (swt): "O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."
Allah (swt), in the Surah Al-Baqarah, describes the pious as follows: “Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend from what We have provided for them.” One of the most important principles of our religion, Islam, is undoubtedly the act of charity (infaq). Charity involves extending generosity to others from the wealth and blessings entrusted to us by Allah (swt). It means protecting and caring for those in need, looking out for them. It is an effort to be beneficial to our family, relatives, neighbours, fellow believers and all of humanity.
