He highlighted the sacrifice and dedication that began with Prophet Ibrahim's journey, accompanied by his wife Hajar and son Ismail, in obedience to Allah's command.
Gümüş underscored that this Quranic story signifies that servitude and submission are the foundations of success in the struggle, emphasizing that every Muslim should continuously fulfill their duty of inviting others to Islam, preaching, and providing guidance to people.
The full text of the message is as follows:
"In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"
"Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you." (Surah Al-Hajj – 37)
"We called out to him, 'O Abraham! You have already fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was truly a revealing test. And We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice and blessed Abraham with honorable mention among later generations: 'Peace be upon Abraham.' This is how We reward the good-doers. He was truly one of Our faithful servants." (Surah As-Saffat 104-111)
Praise and peace be upon Allah, the Creator, Protector, and Ruler of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad Mustafa (PBUH), who is the Messenger of Allah, the leader of the creatures, and the example for humanity.
Once again, our Lord grants us the opportunity to celebrate this year's Eid al-Adha, a blessed occasion when we remember the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his act of offering his son to Allah. On this blessed day, I extend my greetings to the mothers and fathers of martyrs who have sacrificed their children for the sake of Allah, as well as their relatives. I also send my regards to my incarcerated brothers and sisters, some of whom have spent their youth in prison while others have spent their old age there, along with their parents and loved ones. I pray for the well-being of my migrant brothers and sisters who have followed the path of the Prophet and left their families behind. I also extend my wishes to their parents and loved ones.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my brothers and sisters who tirelessly work day and night, regardless of the season or fatigue, for the betterment of the Islamic community. May this Eid bring goodness and blessings to the entire Muslim ummah. May our Lord make this occasion a means for the liberation of the Islamic world from humiliation and oppression and a path to honor and justice.
May Allah, the Majestic and Glorious, accept the worship, repentance, seeking forgiveness, and prayers of millions of people who, during Hajj, have shed all their identities except that of being a servant while circumambulating the Kaaba, performing the Sa'y between Safa and Marwa, and standing at Arafat. May He also accept their completion of the rituals through the act of sacrificing animals.
May Allah bless those who embark on the journey of Hajj, leaving behind all physical and spiritual affiliations, solely focusing on our Creator, and may He make this devotion a lifelong practice. May He not distinguish between those who are physically present in the sacred lands and those whose hearts yearn for them but have yet to attain this blessing. May all those who sacrifice and arrange for sacrifices during this ritual gain the pleasure of Allah and bring joy to those in need. May everyone's sacrifice be accepted by Allah, the Majestic and Glorious. The act of sacrifice has gained a new dimension in the modern era. A Muslim can now deliver their sacrificial offering to someone in need who lives in a distant corner of the world. The opportunity to witness individuals who can only afford to eat meat once in a while, thanks to the aid organizations during the festive season, also increases the enthusiasm of believers. Through this, we hope that the worship of sacrifice will become more widespread, increasing our closeness to Allah.
No matter from which perspective we look at Eid al-Adha, we will witness a profound event that reveals the true meaning of this Eid and our lives. The story of sacrifice and devotion that began with Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hagar, and his son Ismail embarking on a journey upon Allah's command is a testament to the foundation of servitude and submission in achieving success in the struggle. When reading this story, we must reflect on the sorrow left in Prophet Ibrahim when he left his son and wife in a deserted desert, granted by Allah after years of longing. We must consider the concern felt by Hagar as she remained with her young son in a desolate place. And we must ponder the fear experienced by Ismail when a knife was placed upon his neck. They were prophets, along with their spouses and children, yet they were human beings. They were chosen and sent to save people from the misconception that they were extraordinary beings and to demonstrate that they were human beings who could not exhibit the same behavior. Despite the sadness, concern, and fear, they carried out each act with fortitude and resilience, relying on Allah. Alhamdulillah, we are not unfamiliar with these acts of sacrifice that we admire. It has been a privilege to work alongside Muslims who prioritize everything when it comes to the religion of Allah. InshaAllah, we will also have the opportunity to see the new generation doubling their efforts in these acts of sacrifice. Together, we will strive for this, inshaAllah.
The world is being dragged into a spiral of corruption and mischief. The values that make us human are being devalued one by one, and a satanic system is being constructed. Humanity is being encouraged to become enemies of its Creator and wage war against the order He has established. Unfortunately, they are unaware of the fact that this leads to destruction. Therefore, we should never forget the trust placed upon us. This pit of disbelief and corruption should increase our concerns and compel us to be more vigilant. The only way and solution to this is through planned, organized, and collective efforts. We must read extensively, engage in consultations, work diligently, live and promote Islam. We should continuously fulfill our duty of inviting others, propagating, and providing guidance, and never neglect it. Perhaps today is the day we need sacrifice and submission the most.
On this occasion, I extend my greetings to all Muslims, particularly to those who are engaged in the struggle for the Islamic cause, and to my brothers and sisters who fight with their lives, blood, words, and pens. I congratulate them on their holidays and pray to our Almighty Lord for them to celebrate future holidays in triumph.
Your brother, Edip Gümüşs (ILKHA)