Dr. Hüseyin Kâmi BÜYÜKÖZER
We extend our congratulations on the 10th of Muharram, The Day of Ashura. With our most sincere feelings, we pray that The Day of Ashura may serve as a means for the spiritual and material purification of believers, for the salvation of the entire Islamic world and humanity, and for the establishment of an atmosphere of love, peace, and harmony.
We have reached a very beautiful day in a very precious month. Our Prophet describes the month of Muharram as “the Month of Allah.” He states that the most virtuous fast after the Ramadan fast is the one observed in this month. He also notes that its reward will be thirty times greater. He announces that the fast observed today will serve as atonement for the sins of the past year. However, to emphasize our distinction from Jews and Christians, he has recommended that we also observe a fast on the day before or after Ashura, in addition to Ashura itself.
Ashura holds an important place in our religious history. The 10th of Muharram, that is, The Day of Ashura, is a sacred day in the history of religions. According to the sources, significant and positive events occurred in the lives of many prophets on The Day of Ashura. On this day, our Prophets and their believers were delivered from great hardships, oppression, and persecution. They attained new and beautiful beginnings and great divine blessings.
Let us, too, act in accordance with the noble hadiths and make the most of this day. Let us pay close attention to our obligatory and voluntary acts of worship. Let us fast. Let us reflect the beauty of these days to those around us in every way. Let us visit our friends, neighbors, mosques, the graves of our elders, our parents, and our relatives. Let us prepare plenty of the Ashura desserts our ancestors bequeathed to us and share them with family and friends. Let us strengthen our bonds of love and friendship. Let us seek ways to do good for everyone without discrimination, to be of service, and to cultivate good character. Let us not forget to perform acts of charity, offer prayers, and rush to the aid of the poor and needy. Let’s give alms. Let’s offer blessings for one another.
Let’s not neglect our spouses and children. Let’s follow the Sunnah of our Prophet by buying them beautiful gifts and winning their hearts. According to our Prophet, these gifts bring blessings to our homes and increase our happiness. They bring blessings to our homes throughout the entire year. Let us pray to our Lord that these dark days—when dark clouds gather over the Muslim world, when the oppressors mercilessly descend upon our oppressed communities, and when they rain down tons of bombs on them without distinction of child, woman, or elderly—may be banished from our horizon as soon as possible. Let us extend a helping hand—both materially and spiritually—to the best of our ability. Let us observe Ashura—the day that marks the beginning of countless beauties, deliverances, and sweet, happy days—in accordance with its true essence and spirit; let us refine our character, strengthen our bonds of love and friendship, remain firmly committed to the commands of our Almighty Lord and the Sunnah of our Prophet throughout our lives, and remind one another of the importance of consuming halal and wholesome products—which are indispensable to a halal way of life—and offer each other our best wishes and advice.
Above all, let us aim to fully comprehend the significance of the HOLY MIGRATION, which marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. Let us be prepared to make the HIJRAH toward a halal and tayyib lifestyle—no matter the cost—in order to purify ourselves from the impurities created by the unhealthy and spiritually barren lifestyle imposed upon us through the cultural bombardment of internal and external imperial powers.
May Allah’s peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you. May Allah be our helper and supporter…
