Honorary President of Darul Erkam Association, one of the respected hodjas of our country and the Islamic world, Assoc. Dr. Nedim Urhan Hocaefendi made special evaluations for the Milli Gazete about the spirituality of Ramadan. Nedim Urhan Hodja said, “The ancients used to welcome Ramadan as if they were pilgrims. In other words, they were waiting for the way, they were burning with the desire to meet a lover for eleven months. Why is that? Because this month is the month in which the Qur'an, which appeals to centuries and will not come after it, was sent down. The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: ‘When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed and the worst satans are put in chains'.”
The joy of Ramadan, the last of the three blessed months, began to be experienced. Ramadan, where Muslims tidy up their lives, put their material and spiritual lives in order, and have great psychological and sociological benefits, continues to spread a climate of peace and well-being. Honorary President of Darul Erkam Association, one of the respected scholars in Turkey and the Islamic world, Assoc. Dr. Nedim Urhan answered the questions of the Milli Gazete as we entered the blessed month of Ramadan.
“ALLAH GIVES A THOUSAND TO THE ONE WORSHIP DONE IN THIS MONTH”
Dear Hodja, can you tell us first of all about the month of Ramadan, which is the month of the Holy Qur’an?
A believer's real understanding of Ramadan is only possible through realizing what Ramadan is and why it is important. When I say the old ones, you can say that you are not new either, Nedim Hodja, but not like that, I am talking about the process after our Prophet (PBUH). They greet Ramadan like a pilgrim. In other words, they were waiting for the way, they were burning with the desire to meet a lover for eleven months. Why is that? Because this month is the month in which the Qur'an, which appeals to centuries and will not come after it, was sent down. Because Almighty Allah gives a thousand to one for the worship done in this month. Because there is one night in Ramadan that is better than a thousand months! Because every worship that will be done in this month will make us one step closer to his love wine, to the paradise under which rivers flow.
“RAMADAN IS THE MOON OF MERCY”
In this month, it is almost as if Allah Almighty is making us experience paradise on earth. The one who claims to be divinity other than him by saying "La ilaha illallah" and pushes away anything that is loaded with divinity. And saying, "Muhammadur Rasulallah", every believer who affirms that Mohammed (PBUH) is his servant and messenger should know that Allah forgives his past sins whoever fasts during Ramadan by believing in his virtues and hoping only for himself in this month. According to what was reported from Ibn Umar (May God be pleased with him) the Messenger of Allah said: "Islam has been built on five pillars: Testifying that there is no god but Allah Almighty and that Mohammed (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah. To perform the prayer properly, to pay the zakah properly, to make the pilgrimage to the Kaaba, the house of Allah, and to fast in Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Iman 1, 2, Tafsîru Sûre (2) 30; Muslim, Iman 19-22). Ramadan is a time when a person's body struggles with hunger and thirst, but it is a month in which he satisfies his soul and quenches his thirst with dhikrs, tarawih prayers, and collective or individual worships. Fasting is not testing one's body with hunger or thirst; It is important to discipline the self, to restrain one's desires and ambitions, and to fully realize the surrender to Allah Almighty who gives all these blessings. When a person realizes this, the reward he receives from it will of course increase in the sight of Allah Almighty.
“RAMADAN IS THE MONTH OF AID AND ALMS AT THE SAME TIME”
My dear Hodja, of course, it is always necessary to give alms and aid, but isn't this a time period when Muslims should be more sensitive? What do you think about it?
Of course, one of the most important issues in this month is charity and alms. Aid, alms given and good deeds done away from hypocrisy also cause unbelievable levels of happiness and peace in people. The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah Almighty is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah Almighty multiplies the reward even more to whoever He wills. For Allah Almighty is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing. (Baqara / Verse 261) Allah Almighty is so generous if our intention is to win His consent. All the worships performed in this month open the way for us to enter Paradise. The only one whose hands are tied in this month is the devil.
THE WORST SATANS IS STROKED IN THE CHAIN
Our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, "When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the worst satans is put in chains." (Bukhari, Savm, 5) We cannot sit with our hands tied, until this month is over, we will be sleepless as we have never been, we will worship as much as we have never done before, we will do more goodness and charity than we have done before, so that a situation belonging to the expelled devil does not come and spread over us. We should know that causing a good deed in any way makes us have the same reward as doing that good deed. For this reason, this month only we will not only guide ourselves but also people to our meetings. We will guide them to give alms, to host iftaars, to distribute the right of the poor in the wealth of rich to the poor, so that both they and we will win. Allah Almighty is all knowing and seeing.
“OUR PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH) WAS ENTERED INTO ETIKAF IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN”
My esteemed Hodja, etikaf is a very important worship for Ramadan. Its virtue has been forgotten lately. Can you talk to us a little about etikaf?
First of all, we must say that in order for a Muslim to enter etikaf, he must have reached puberty and must be sane. Etikaf can only be entered in a mosque where five daily prayers are performed, as in all other acts of worship, only to get closer to Allah Almighty and gain His approval, away from hypocrisy. A person who enters etikaf has all his needs, except those that are essential; It is eating and drinking, excuse me, except for things like toileting, wudu and ghusl when necessary, of course, he does it in the place where he performs etikaf. Our Prophet (PBUH) entered the etikaf last 10 days of the Ramadan month. The worship of etikaf is sunnah kifaya just like the tarawih prayer. The legitimacy of etikaf is determined by the Qur'an and the Sunnah: "Do not approach women when you are in etikaf in mosques" (al-Baqara 2/187). Aisha (May God be pleased with her): “The Messenger of God Almighty used to perform etikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. He continued this custom until his death. Then, after him, his wives performed etikaf.” (Bukhari, "Etikaf" 1; Muslim, "Etikaf" 5). The month of Ramadan is a time when the environment is very suitable for us to surrender ourselves completely to Allah Almighty. While a person pulls his body in line in this month, it is also possible for a person to align himself spiritually by staying away from carnal and sensual desires. While doing this, besides obligatory worship, etikaf and other supererogatory worships are of great importance in bringing this line into line. Let me complete my words with a verse: “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do.” Surah Hud, Verse 112. With greetings and prayers… Fiemanillah.