Assoc. Dr. Harun Bekiroğlu, who was experienced Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes in Malatya, drew attention to Ramadan's message about helping each other.
We have reached the middle of Ramadan, which started with mercy, which is the herald of forgiveness for Muslims. In the middle of the month of Ramadan, which expresses forgiveness from Allah (SWT), the fasts we hold and the tarawih prayers we perform will be a means of forgiveness.
We made an interview with Assoc. Dr. Harun Bekiroğlu about Ramadan, which is a great salvation for us.
Harun Bekiroğlu, who answered many of our questions from the climate of cooperation in Ramadan to the Night of Power, told Milli Gazete what he experienced during the earthquake.
“UMRA IN RAMADAN IS A HAJJ PERFORMED WITH THE PROPHET”
13 million people were affected by these earthquakes, in which tens of thousands of our brothers lost their lives. How should Muslims be in solidarity in such a challenging environment?
We know that the actions, prayers and help we will do to earn the love of Allah (SWT) in Ramadan will earn us more rewards due to the value of this month. For example, Umrah performed in Ramadan earns as much reward as a pilgrimage performed with the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) (Bukhari, Ihsarve's-Sayd, 37). One of the Hanafi imams, Nehai (d. 96/714) says that a deed in Ramadan will be rewarded a thousand times (Suyûtî, Dürrü'l-Mansûr, 1/341). That's why we try to coincide the anniversary of our zakat with the month of Ramadan. Thus, we will both benefit from the blessings of this month and meet the needs of our brothers in this month. In this context, it is very valuable that we have salt in the soup cooked in our soup kitchens, and that we can deliver a bottle of clean water to our earthquake-stricken brother who cannot find healthy drinking water.
“WE SEE VALIANTS COMING TO THE REGION”
Sir, first of all, you were caught in the earthquake in Malatya. What did you witness about the spiritual solidarity among Muslims?
We saw philanthropists who donated in Malatya, young people who gave up their education and rushed to help, brave men who entrusted their warm homes to their wives and came to the region. We witnessed earthquake survivors who thought that our brothers working in soup kitchens were civil servants and scolded these brothers for being affected by the sad events they experienced. Our young people were heartbroken by saying that they had come here from other cities and recited the following verse:
““WE SEE GUESTS COMING TO THE REGION”
Sir, first of all, you were caught in the earthquake in Malatya. What did you witness about the spiritual solidarity among Muslims?
We saw philanthropists who donated in Malatya, young people who gave up their education and rushed to help, brave men who entrusted their warm homes to their wives and came to the region. We witnessed earthquake survivors who thought that our brothers working in soup kitchens were civil servants and scolded these brothers for being affected by the sad events they experienced. Our young people were heartbroken by saying that they had come here from other cities and recited the following verse:
“We feed you only for the sake of Allah, seeking neither reward nor thanks from you.” (Sorah Insan 76/9)
For this reason, reviving compassion, maintaining altruism, and realizing the principle of "Muslims are brothers" are among the foremost spiritual aids in these regions..” (76/9) For this reason, reviving compassion, maintaining altruism, and realizing the principle of "Muslims are brothers" are among the foremost spiritual aids in these regions.
“OUR PROPHET WAS KNOWN FOR HIS GENEROSITY”
When Ramadan comes, we find ourselves in a climate of cooperation and sharing. Can you explain to our readers the relationship of Ramadan with sharing, helping and giving?
As the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) himself fasted, he decorated the nights of Ramadan with tarawih prayers. He provided a conscious start to the fast with sahur. He ensured that the tables were shared with iftar. He ordered that a Muslim be helped to break his fast, even with half a date. He helped the poor to celebrate Eid al-Fitr happily with his Fitr (special form of islamic alms-charity). Of course, this should not be perceived as just a financial aid or sharing. Fitr charity also provides social solidarity by ensuring that the poor, orphans, widows or orphans do not feel lonely. The Messenger of Allah was known for his generosity. When Ramadan came, words were not enough to describe his generosity (Bukhari, Ṣavm, 7)
"EVERYONE LIVES FOR THEIR BROTHER"
Solidarity among Muslims has spiritual dimensions as well as material ones. Can you evaluate spiritual assistance?
There are many ways to help financially during Ramadan. However, spiritual help should be given more importance. What can we do for this? Our young people can spend a few days or a week of this month at the soup kitchen in earthquake zones voluntarily - for the sake of Allah. They can show that Muslims do not leave them alone. Since they will understand the value of making sacrifices for their other brothers, they will also purify their souls. Because “in our case no one lives for himself. Everyone lives for his brother. This is the easiest way to kill the interest”.
"THE VALUE OF THE NIGHT IS FROM THE VALUE OF THE QUR'AN"
We will realize the Night of Power (Lailat al-Qadr), which is heralded with hadiths, in the month of Ramadan. What would you say about the Night of Power and the revival of that night?
Knowing that one night is worth a thousand months is enough to understand the value of Ramadan. The value of this night is due to the value of the Qur'an. Tonight is an honorable night because the Qur'an is sublime. Tonight, we will continue our habit of praying in congregation, performing tarawih and reading hatim during Ramadan. We will not neglect our dhikrs and documents. We will make various preparations for our children to see that we value this night. Maybe we'll send our neighbor a small dessert plate. We will infuse. Each of us will do something that will fulfill the value of tonight's worth.