Muhittin Hamdi Yıldırım, Chairman of the Association of Religious Officials (DİN-BİR-DER) answered our questions about Ramadan, the month of mercy and forgiveness.
Emphasizing that fasting is obligatory for every Muslim, Yıldırım emphasized that in Ramadan, they are united against the devil and the nafs inside, and against the enemies of Islam outside.
Since Ramadan, the month of mercy, blessings, purification and virtue, the month of fasting, is a journey towards spirituality and purification from the worldly, can you tell us about the effects of modernism and secularization in our age on Muslims?
Ramadan is a month of mercy and purification. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. When fasting is only for Allah, it attracts mercy and purification. In this regard, our Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), "The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast this month. In this month, the gates of heaven are opened. The gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained up. There is one night in the month of Ramadan; it is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of the goodness of Ramadan has suffered great deprivation," he said. We understand from this hadith that the month of Ramadan has a very different characteristic from other months. Because of this feature, mercy and forgiveness rain down on those who fast properly. To become worldly means to do what one does for a worldly purpose, not for Allah, without considering the account in the hereafter. This is actually a short circuit. We need to know that in Islam, all sins are done as a short-circuit. When that happens, the fuse blows. When the person who takes out the insurance does not do his intentions and deeds for the sake of Allah and in accordance with the measures he has commanded, he becomes worldly by committing sin.
“WHEN RAMADAN ARRIVES, MUSLIM HEARTS FIND PEACE”
When Ramadan comes, a peace and happiness fills our homes, tables, hearts and even our city during sahur, iftar and then holidays. Where does this atmosphere come from?
Yes, when Ramadan comes, every Muslim feels this beautiful atmosphere and finds peace of mind. Because in this month, the devils are chained, the gates of hell are closed, the gates of mercy are opened. When this is the case, the happiness of the person who fasts properly increases. In a holy hadith, "Fasting is for me and only I will reward it," says our Prophet. In addition, the most important feature of the month of Ramadan is that the Quran was sent down in the Night of Power in that month. While fasting makes the month of Ramadan valuable, on the other hand, it makes it valuable that the Qur'an, which is the salvation guide of humanity, is revealed in the Night of Power, which is better than a thousand months. On the other hand, in a hadith of our Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), "Whoever fasts during Ramadan by believing and hoping for his reward only from Allah, his past sins will be forgiven," he says. He also states again, "Just as the five daily prayers wipe out minor sins from one Friday to the next, Ramadan fasting becomes expiation for minor sins in between if major sins are avoided during the period from one Ramadan to the next." All these glad tidings bring peace and happiness to Ramadan and fasting people and regions.
What is the place of Ramadan, in which a person eats and drinks what he earns in halal ways, in terms of the basic provisions of Islam?
First of all, we, as Muslims, know that fasting was made obligatory for us as well as for previous nations. In addition, our Almighty Lord has made it obligatory for every Muslim who reaches that month to fast (Baqara 184-185). And our Prophet, "Whoever fasts for one day in Ramadan without an excuse or illness, even if he fasts all year, he will not be able to pay for one day," he says. Ramadan fasting becomes fixed with the appearance of the Moon in the sky on the thirtieth day of Sha'ban. For this reason, our Prophet (pbuh), "When seeing the moon, fast, when see the moon again, celebrate. If the weather is cloudy, complete the Shaban to thirty days," he says. There are two pillars of fasting; one is to make intention, and the other is to prevent oneself from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse for the sake of Allah, from dawn to dusk. This is the place of fasting in terms of Islamic rules.
“WE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM ANY WORDS AND BEHAVIORS THAT WILL INJURY THE FAST”
What are the acts of worship we need to do in order to benefit from the blessings of this month?
For one thing, we should keep ourselves away from all kinds of words and behaviors that would harm the fast, and if anyone insists on these issues, we should warn him by saying "I am fasting". In addition, we should make maximum efforts to perform the tarawih prayers in congregation in mosques. If possible, we can make a hatim in this month by reciting a juz every day. In this month, we should make room for the poor at our table and try to meet their needs if possible. Before the Eid prayer, we must calculate and give our fitr alms. We should take advantage of the abundance and blessings of Ramadan.
“RAMADAN IS THE MONTH TO BE UNITED AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF ISLAM”
Today, the Islamic world will enter another Ramadan with troubles, sorrows and tears. What would you like to say about it?
The month of Ramadan is the month of resurrection, awakening, and self-discipline. I hope that the blood and tears in the Islamic geography will subside a little this month. This blessed month is instrumental in consolidating brotherhood among Muslims, removing polarization and providing embrace, establishing Islamic unity and eliminating conflicts among Muslims. Ramadan means the month in which a person's jihad against his soul reaches its peak. In addition, our Prophet (pbuh) embarked on the Battle of Badr, the Expedition of Tabuk, the Conquest of Mecca and many other campaigns against the enemies of Islam in Ramadan. In addition, the Conquest of Andalusia, the Victory of Qadisiye, the Conquest of Rhodes, the Victory of Ayn Jalut and the Conquest of the Safat Castle have always taken place in Ramadan. Here we also understand that; Ramadan and fasting is the month of unity against the nafs and the devil inside, and against the enemies of Islam outside.