Sufi researcher Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that the period known as the “three holy months” among the public is a blessed time when God's mercy, forgiveness, and benevolence reach their peak. He said, “This blessed period, when God's mercy, forgiveness, and benevolence encompass all realms, should be utilized very well with abundant worship, prayer, dhikr (remembrance of God), and good deeds. Let us offer many prayers, especially for the salvation of our brothers and sisters suffering under Israeli oppression in Gaza.”
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, a faculty member at the Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies, evaluated the period known as the “three holy months,” which includes the months of Recep, Şaban, and Ramadan according to the Islamic calendar.
The Three Holy Months: A Blessed Period When God's Mercy, Forgiveness, and Benevolence Reach Their Peak
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that the period known as the “three holy months” among the public is a blessed time when God's mercy, forgiveness, and benevolence reach their peak. He added, “The presence of important Kandil nights such as Regaib, Miraj, Berat, and Qadr within these months, which consist of Recep, Şaban, and Ramadan according to the Hijri calendar, further increases the value of the three holy months.”
Öngören: “He Stated That the Most Virtuous Fast Outside of Ramadan is the Fast Kept in Şaban”
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören explained that the month of Recep, the first of the three holy months, is among the four months (Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram) referred to as “sacred months” in the Holy Quran, during which warfare is prohibited and respect is commanded. He noted:
“When the month of Recep began, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to pray, ‘O Allah, bless us in Recep and Şaban and let us reach Ramadan!’ Furthermore, it is mentioned in Hadith sources that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) fasted more in the month of Şaban than in other months, sometimes even observing fasts throughout the entire month. He said, ‘In this month, whose value people do not fully appreciate, deeds are presented to Allah; I desire for my deeds to be presented to Allah while I am fasting, and thus I fast in this month.’ He stated that the most virtuous fast outside of Ramadan is the fast observed in Şaban. The month of Ramadan, on the other hand, is the month of fasting when the Quran began to be revealed.”
Kandil Nights: Blessed Periods…
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that among the blessed nights, Regaib and Miraj Kandil nights fall within the month of Recep, and explained:
“The first Friday night of Recep is celebrated as Regaib Kandil by the majority of Muslims, and the 27th night of Recep is accepted as the date when the Miraj event occurred.
As is known, the ascent of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) from Jerusalem to the heavens, after his journey one night from Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, is called Miraj. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) met with the prophets Adam, Jesus, Joseph, Idris, Aaron, Moses, and Abraham, respectively, on each of the seven heavens, and then ascended into the presence of Allah. The five daily prayers were made obligatory at this point. According to one narration, the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah (Amanar-Rasulu) were revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during the Miraj, and the glad tidings were given that those who do not associate partners with Allah would be forgiven.”
The Change of Qibla from Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Mecca Occurred on Berat Night
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören also provided information about Berat Kandil, which is celebrated on the fifteenth night of the month of Şaban, stating, “Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Worship on the middle night of Şaban, and fast during its day. On that night, with the setting of the sun, Allah manifests Himself in the lowest heaven and says until dawn, ‘Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance that I may provide for him? Is there anyone afflicted that I may grant him well-being? Is there not such, is there not such!’’ Narrations indicating that the change of Qibla from Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem to the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca occurred on Berat night add special significance to this night.”
The Entire Quran Descended to the Lowest Heaven Collectively on Berat Night
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören stated that it is accepted that the entire Quran descended collectively to the lowest heaven on Berat night, and that the verses began to descend gradually on Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power). He said, “Laylat al-Qadr, which is the most important of the Kandil nights, falls within the month of Ramadan and is generally considered to be its 27th night.”
Öngören: “Let Us Offer Many Prayers for the Salvation of Our Brothers and Sisters Suffering Under Israeli Oppression in Gaza”
Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören concluded his words by saying, “This blessed period, when God's mercy, forgiveness, and benevolence encompass all realms, should be utilized very well with abundant worship, prayer, dhikr (remembrance of God), and good deeds. Let us offer many prayers, especially for the salvation of our brothers and sisters suffering under Israeli oppression in Gaza. Unfortunately, we can do little materially; let us at least aid them with our prayers.”