Sermon by Dr. Hafiz Malkić on the last third of Ramadan and Zakat al-Fitr: A time of increased worship, repentance, and good deeds

(Patria) - The Director of the Administration for Religious Affairs of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Mensur-ef. Malkić, today delivered a sermon in the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo on the last third of Ramadan and Zakat al-Fitr, emphasizing that these days are an opportunity for intensified worship, sincere repentance, and good deeds, especially through giving Zakat al-Fitr and strengthening awareness of solidarity among believers.

He highlighted that Zakat al-Fitr has the role of purifying and completing the fast, similar to the prostration of forgetfulness in prayer, and reminded that its obligation is fulfilled through the Bait al-Mal, which ensures help for the needy and the stability of the Community.

He also emphasized the special value of the upcoming Laylat al-Qadr, inviting believers to spend it in prayer, reciting the Quran, supplication, and doing good deeds.

We present his sermon in its entirety:

"Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon the last prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, his noble family, and his companions.

Dear brothers and sisters!

Last week's sermon reminded us of the special value of the second third of Ramadan, a time of Allah's forgiveness for believers, and an opportunity to re-examine our actions and thank Allah for His blessings. It was emphasized that Ramadan is a time for competing in good deeds, to which Allah calls us with the words: "...and for this let the competitors compete." (Al-Baqarah, 148)

The obligation of zakat and the collection of Zakat al-Fitr through an organized campaign in the Bait al-Mal of the Islamic Community were particularly highlighted, through which a believer purifies their property, helps the Community, and shows responsibility and solidarity towards others.

This practice, based on the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, ensures that worship is performed correctly and in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

Dear brothers and sisters!

On Tuesday, we entered the last third of Ramadan, which is a "shield from the fire," and began the i'tikaf worship, recalling the Conquest of Mecca, on the Day of the Liberation of Mecca. Muhammad (peace be upon him) entered Mecca on the 20th of Ramadan, 8 AH, as a conqueror, opening its gates without bloodshed. Out of humility towards Allah, the Giver of victory, he entered Mecca humbly, with his head bowed so low that his forehead almost touched the saddle of his mount, reciting and repeating the verse:

"Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory. (Al-Fath, 1.)

With this dignified and magnificent entry of Muslims into Mecca, Almighty Allah cleansed this blessed city of polytheism and once again made it a place of true faith and belief in the One and Only Lord. The inhabitants of Mecca welcomed Muhammad (peace be upon him) with joy, aware that he was, in fact, liberating and saving human hearts and securing a space where Allah's Word, the just Law close to human reason and heart, would reign.

In Surah An-Nasr, Allah says: "When the victory of Allah and the conquest [of Mecca] come, And you see the people entering into Allah 's religion en masse, Then exalt [O Muhammad] the praise of your Lord and ask His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance." (An-Nasr, 1-3.)

Some companions believed that when Allah, in this Surah, speaks of the magnificent victory of Fath – the liberation of Mecca – He is actually teaching us to thank Him and not to be arrogant because of the success He, our Lord, has enabled us to achieve, but rather to seek forgiveness, especially in moments of His help, when He gladdens us with success and victory.

Dear brothers and sisters!

These are blessed days in which, in addition to prayers, fasting, and zakat, we also fulfill the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr, which purifies and perfects our fast from certain omissions and shortcomings.

In Ramadan sermons, we have also been reminded of the meaning of the word zakat, which is closely related to zakatul-fitr, or vitra – the common name among us, which among other things means cleansing, purification, growth, and increase of reward and wealth.

Zakat al-Fitr compensates for certain omissions that occur to a fasting person during the fast; it is in Ramadan like the prostration of forgetfulness in prayer; it corrects mistakes just as the prostration of forgetfulness corrects mistakes we made in prayer. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordained that Zakat al-Fitr be given as a purification for the fasting person from vain and indecent talk, and to provide for the needy. So, whoever gives Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, it will be accepted as Zakat al-Fitr, and whoever gives it after the Eid prayer, it will be accepted as ordinary charity.

It is Sunnah to hasten the giving of Zakat al-Fitr on Eid al-Fitr, and it is desirable to do so a few days before Eid. Our attitude towards Zakat al-Fitr and zakat can be the cause of our success or failure in both worlds. Almighty Allah links piety and giving on one hand, and disbelief and stinginess on the other, and says:

"But he who gives and fears Allah And believes in the best [reward], We will make smooth for him what is difficult. But he who is stingy and feels himself independent And disbelieves in the best [reward], We will make smooth for him what is difficult. And what will his wealth avail him when he falls [into destruction]? (Al-Layl, 5-10)

Therefore, giving zakat and Zakat al-Fitr ensures a reward from the Lord, as well as an increase, growth, and blessing in the wealth of the giver, and never the opposite.

However, there are still those who are afraid and do not give zakat and Zakat al-Fitr for fear that it will diminish their wealth. But in reality, they are withholding a part of the wealth that is not theirs, according to the rule that the needy have a right in the wealth of the rich. However, those who give zakat from their wealth, i.e., give a part of the wealth to which others have a right, notice and witness an increase in sustenance, wealth, and blessings in their property.

By drawing attention to the obligation of zakat and Zakat al-Fitr through the dimension of worship of correctly and responsibly fulfilling Islamic regulations, we also remind of the role and significance of the Bait al-Mal, from which the needy and various categories are helped, and which is the backbone of the stability and development of our Islamic Community.

Dear brothers and sisters.

On Monday evening is the blessed night of Laylat al-Qadr. It is the night in which Allah, the Almighty, began to reveal the Holy Quran – His final revelation – to the last prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) more than 14 centuries ago, in the cave on Mount Hira, through the angel Gabriel.

The night of Laylat al-Qadr is the most valuable night for us Muslims. It, and the worship in it, is better than a thousand months. In Surah Al-Qadr, Allah says:

"Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit [Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace is until the emergence of dawn." (Al-Qadr, 1-5.)

It is good to spend the Night of Decree in prayer, as this earns forgiveness for sins previously committed.

It is good to spend the Night of Decree reciting the Holy Quran, reflecting on the verses recited and their messages.

It is good to spend the Night of Decree and its following day doing good deeds, especially giving charity to the needy.

It is good to spend the Night of Decree in supplication, especially reciting the supplication: "O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, and You love to pardon, so pardon me."
Finally, I pray to Allah the Merciful to accept from us our fast and Zakat al-Fitr, our prayers and our zakat, and our supplications in this blessed month!

O Allah, grant us goodness in this world and in the Hereafter. Amen, O Lord of the worlds! (end)