Bajram sermon by reisu-l-ulema Kavazović: Dignified and meaningful dialogue is an obligation for all of us

(Patria) - Allah demands that everyone's rights be respected, good deeds be done, and that the needy be helped, while forbidding indecency, all that is abominable, and violence, stated the reisu-l-ulema of the Islamic Community in BiH Husein ef. Kavazović in his sermon during the Bayram prayer, which marked the beginning of one of the greatest Muslim holidays, Ramadan Bayram, today.

"Praise be to Allah, who has distinguished man with knowledge and work above other creatures. Who revealed the Quran to people in one night.

Peace and salvation be upon Muhammad, peace be upon him, the leader of prophets and people, the source of knowledge and wisdom, upon his family and companions.

Our Lord, guide us to the paths that lead to You and protect us from people and nations that do us injustice.

The Almighty has said:

And strive for the cause of Allah with the sincerity due to Him. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship. It is the religion of your father Abraham. Allah named you Muslims before and in this [Quran] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and that you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give zakah and hold onto Allah. He is your protector, the excellent master and the excellent supporter. (Al-Hajj, 78.)

Dear brothers and sisters!

Ramazan has passed, the month of Allah's mercy, forgiveness, and salvation from the torments of hellfire. Last night, we bid farewell to it with a touch of sadness and said goodbye to the abundance of good it brought us. This morning, we are exceptionally joyful because we have welcomed Bayram.

Especially in this, but also in other months, human endeavor is emphasized: effort and competition in good bring happiness and divine blessing. Perseverance in work and patience in waiting for results bring good and security to the community. The Lord of the worlds will not neglect anyone's effort, nor should we.

Those who strive are those who purify their intention, their property, and their deeds for the good of the community, entrusting their happiness to God and being modest and humble in what they have been given.

They perform prayers, give zakah, and perform many other acts of worship, without paying attention to the objections of the corrupt. They know that everything done for Allah remains and endures, while everything else perishes and disappears. Ramazan offered an opportunity to feel satisfaction in performing acts of worship and obedience to the Lord.

Has not the Almighty motivated us in His magnificent way with the words:

Each will face towards its own direction, so race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you together; indeed Allah is over all things competent. (Al-Baqarah, 148.)

The path of a believer is the path of good. In it lies his strength, happiness, and satisfaction. Competing in good is the highest level of realized faith. On the path of good, sacrifice as much as you can and strive so that no one overtakes you on that path. It is permissible for a Muslim to envy another Muslim for the good he does, if it will motivate him to try to overtake him.

Goodness blossoms within us in the heart, and our body's work bears fruit. Thus, our civilization was created, from the heart and soul, in the service of good, peace, and happiness.

Our best weapons are truth and patience. To achieve our goals, we need work, time, and patience. Whoever does not account for these three and neglects them will not succeed. And where good does not succeed, evil will triumph.

Brothers and sisters.

The Almighty has said:

Allah commands justice, good conduct and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you, that perhaps you will be reminded. And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, your witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do. (An-Nahl, 90-91.)

From these words, we understand that we are obliged to support those who advocate for peace, good, and justice among people.

The health and strength of our society, and our community, are not reflected in the numbers of one group compared to another, in political or economic power, but exclusively in respecting everyone's rights, establishing social justice, and solidarity among people.

Dignified and meaningful dialogue is an obligation for all of us. It must not have anything to do with, God forbid, violence and coercion. Conversation among people must be conducted solely for the purpose of establishing new value, which will include everyone's rights, not for destruction and setting ultimatums. In that conversation, no one should be cornered; everyone must show composure and prudence.

The basis of that dialogue is open and continuous communication. We must not make easy promises, just to achieve any result. The most important thing is to respect the laws of our country, not to undermine its institutions, to reach agreements patiently, through conversation and dialogue, to trust each other, and to keep our word. Respecting the law is a vital issue for our society. All our successes and all our misfortunes stem from this relationship. Laws ensure everyone's rights and protect individual freedom from anyone's dominance and subjugation.

The Lord of the worlds has said:

O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and by following all of its teachings] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

This country of ours is crying out for peace. Conflicts, fruitless discussions, blockades, and quarrels have exhausted our people. Young people watch all this with disbelief and look for salvation elsewhere. At the same time, foreigners are spreading here as if in their own home.

We must reject the politics of village quarrels if we want to join the civilized, normal world. The first thing we should do is not to threaten each other, and instead of quarrels and discussions, start talking about the country, homeland, and state apparatus, which will serve all of us equally. Is that so difficult?!

We must understand and accept that this country is our common destiny. No one will be able to change that, no matter how much they try and wish. You cannot escape yourself, as the folk saying goes.

It is our homeland, a heritage carried in the heart, defended with property and life. It was like that in the past, it is like that today, and it will be like that tomorrow.

In His message, the Lord of the worlds said:

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain [their] anger and who forgive people - and Allah loves the doers of good. (Ali Imran, 133.).

Only those who strive sincerely and obediently in acts of worship will feel the beauty and blessed state of faith. These are the ones who will feel satisfaction, deserve forgiveness, and attain peace. The secret to this achievement lies in love for God and people. It is a love that expands the chest and calms the heart. What we do for Allah's sake lasts and remains, while what we do for some other interest disappears, along with this world. In our mutual relations, let us strive to overcome anger and forgive each other. In forgiveness lies the strength of the individual and peace in the community.

In the world we live in, there are many poor and unfortunate people. In the blessings with which we are endowed, their rights are also included. Our hearts must be with the people, children, and women of Gaza and Ukraine. In today's world, there is little remembrance of God, turning to dear God, and much violence and injustice. We have forgotten God, so He, the Almighty – as He promised – has made man forget himself. Meaninglessness and the disappearance of happiness, sincerity, love, and human warmth have taken over the world, as well as the disappearance of many blessings. It has long been time to return to the Right Path, siratul mustaqim, and to bring meaning, divine order, and structure into our lives.

Let us pray for these wars to stop. Let us point fingers at the criminals, seeking justice for the victims. Let us never stop doing that, no matter who it concerns.

May Allah accept our acts of worship, our good deeds, and may peace prevail among believers.

Let us not lose hope in Allah's mercy and forgiveness.

We can always rise on the wings of faith and overcome the obstacles before us and our weaknesses.

If we fear God, the fear of people will disappear.

I wish you all happy and blessed Bayram days.

Let us spend them in the company of our families and friends.

Cherish neighborly relations, as it is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

To our brothers and sisters in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, and North Macedonia, as well as our brothers and sisters in the countries of Western Europe, North America, and Australia, I wish happy Bayram days.

May the days of Bayram always remind us of our brotherhood in faith and unity in our homeland.

I pray to the Almighty to ease the sorrow of the grieving and gladden their hearts, to grant health to the sick, and to make the poor wealthy from His treasures of goodness.

Bayram Sheriff Mubarek Olsun!"