Dear Brothers and Sisters!  

We have come to the middle of the month of Ramadan, whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is salvation from the punishment of hell. By using the spiritual atmosphere of this blessed month, we aim to mature our spiritual world. We pray that Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, would forgive our sins. We take refuge in Him with the fasts we kept and the worship we made. And we, as believers in Allah (swt), know that we have no other refuge than in Him. In this regard, Allah (swt) addresses all humanity in Surah Al-Ahzab by saying; “And rely upon Allāh; and sufficient is Allāh as Disposer of affairs.”[1] Allah (swt) does not disappoint the hopes of his servants who take refuge in him and gives peace to their hearts. After all, we Muslims believe that the salvation of humanity is possible only by turning to Allah (swt) and following the path drawn by Him.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Allah (swt) mentions in the Quran; “O you who have believed, fear Allāh. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Aware of what you do.”[2]. Servants who truly believe in Allah (swt), His Prophet and the Last Day, show most effort in their worship and obedience in order to attain peace in this world and win the hereafter, and above all, to attain the approval of Allah (swt). The believers also see the month of Ramadan, as in the words of Prophet Muhammad (saw) that the “devils are chained”[3] as a unique opportunity. They strive to improve their spiritual life and improve their morals.

Dear Jama’ah

In the month of Ramadan, we should make the sensitivity we show as a whole ummah into a habit and carry this state of mind to other periods of the year. It is almost as if we should know, as the old saying goes, “Everyone is Khizr (as) and every night is laylatul Qadr”. We should maintain our closeness with the Qur’an, try to understand it and live what we understand. We should accept the principles and values ​​of the Qur’an and Sunnah as our guide to life. We must not forget that the Qur’an has been brought down to us to be read. Reading is meaningful with understanding and living by what we understand. May Allah (swt) make us the faithful servants of Islam.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In the coming days, we will enter the last ten days of Ramadan, which includes the night of power (Laylatul Qadr), when our beautiful book, the Qur’an, was revealed. Aisha (ra) said: “In the last ten days (of Ramadan), the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to show an effort (in worship) that he did not show at other times.”[4]  Let’s encourage our brothers and sisters who have the opportunity to enter Itikaf in accordance with the Sunnah. As a gratitude to keep the Ramadan fast and reach Eid; Our Muslim brothers and sisters who are rich in their worship and reach the end of Ramadan should not neglect the charities of Fitr. We should never be careless in giving our Zakat, which is one of the conditions of Islam. Let’s not forget that Zakat does not decrease our wealth. On the contrary, it protects and improves it. Those of us who cannot fast due to excuses should pay their Fidyah owings in full.

May Allah (swt) make us one of his servants who perform the month of Ramadan properly. Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Ahzab 33:3

[2] Surah Al-Hashr 59:18

[3] Buhari, Savm, 5

[4] Müslim, İ’tikâf, 8

Khutba: Reflecting In The Middle of Ramadan