Muslims mark the chosen night of Laylat al-Raghaib this evening

(Patria) - Laylat al-Raghaib, the blessed night known among the people as the Night of Wishes, according to the Takvim of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, begins this evening with the arrival of the evening prayer.

"This is a night in which we remind ourselves that a wish alone is not enough if it does not grow into a prayer, but not a prayer that is not accompanied by action," said the chief imam of the Islamic Community Board Koper, Samir-ef. Jusić, for the MINA Agency.

He stated that prayer, as the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, says, is the weapon of the believer and that we must never forget this.

"Prayer is a miraculous connection between man and his Lord, through which wishes and expectations are fulfilled, the situation improves, spiritual peace is experienced, and the desired goal is achieved," said Efendi Jusić.

He reminded that Laylat al-Raghaib is traditionally experienced as a night of hope, but also a night of examining one's own responsibility.

"Every person has wishes and expectations they would like to see fulfilled, a goal they would like to reach. Dreams they would like to see come true. We often say we want peace, order, prosperity, but do we ask ourselves how ready we are to be part of that peace and order. Islam teaches us to ask from Allah, but also to behave as if we ourselves are responsible for the outcome," said ef. Jusić.

Speaking about the relationship between prayer and action, he pointed to the example of societies where, even without an Islamic identity, certain values are lived consistently and in an organized manner.

"I have been living in Slovenia for many years. It is a country declared one of the most sustainable and cleanest in the world. Not because people only wanted cleanliness, but because they organized and acted. About 250,000 people participate in one cleaning campaign. Then one wonders how it is that we, whose Prophet says cleanliness is half of faith, often only talk about it, but rarely live it," said ef. Jusić.

He cited the example of the Una River from his native region, which everyone is proud of, and which most clearly shows the gap between declarative piety and actual responsibility.

"Our streets, rivers, courtyards, and public spaces often do not reflect the values we talk about. If on the Night of Wishes we pray for a better society, then we must be ready to be the change we seek," he stated.

The month of Rajab, in which Laylat al-Raghaib is observed, marks the beginning of spiritual preparation for Ramadan and is an introduction to the blessed sequence of Rajab, Sha'ban, and Ramadan.

"This is the time when we should translate our wishes into concrete decisions: to mend relationships in the family, to take care of the community, the environment, and the trusts we have taken on. That is the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him – that faith be visible in behavior," emphasized Efendi Jusić.

He stated that prayer on blessed nights has special power, but its essence is not in asking, but in the change of the person who offers the prayer.

"The Night of Wishes teaches us a special balance: we raise our hands towards the sky, ask our Lord for what we want, but with our feet firmly on the ground, ready to do what is up to us so that this prayer may be accepted and fulfilled, if it is good for us," concluded ef. Jusić.