Mufti of İskeçe Mustafa Trampa's message on Berat Night

Mufti of İskeçe, Mustafa Trampa, has released a written statement regarding Berat Night, which will be observed throughout the Islamic world, in Türkiye, and in Western Thrace.

Berat Night, considered a harbinger of the blessed month of Ramadan, falls in the middle of Sha’ban, one of the sacred months in Islam. Mufti Trampa’s message reads as follows:

"Esteemed Muslim Turkish Brothers and Sisters,

As we find ourselves in the midst of the three blessed months, a time of great divine rewards, we rejoice in the presence of Sha’ban. We give thanks to our Almighty Lord for allowing us to reach Berat Night, a night of boundless mercy and forgiveness. This year, we will commemorate this sacred occasion on the evening of Thursday, February 13, marking the approach of the holy month of Ramadan.

The word ‘Berat’ signifies absolution, deliverance from debts, illnesses, sins, and penalties. It is a night of divine forgiveness, reflection, and renewal.

Berat is a night to mend broken hearts, to overcome resentment, hatred, and vengeance. It is a time to seek the forgiveness of our Creator by forgiving one another.

Berat teaches us to distance ourselves from all forms of evil, oppression, and injustice. It is a sacred night in which prayers are accepted, and sins are pardoned.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated:

‘Spend the 15th night of Sha’ban in worship and fast during its day. On this night, Allah descends to the nearest heaven and proclaims: Is there anyone who repents, so I may accept their repentance? Is there anyone seeking sustenance, so I may provide for them? Is there anyone asking for healing, so I may grant them health? Is there anyone with any other request, so I may grant it to them?’ (Ibn Majah, Sunan, "Iqamat al-Salat", 191)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We must attain our spiritual ‘berat’ (absolution) in this world before seeking salvation in the Hereafter. Without sincere faith and good deeds, we cannot expect to enter Paradise. The Prophet (peace be upon him) reminds us:

‘You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you something that, if you do it, will create love among you? Spread peace among yourselves.’ (Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith No: 849)

Recognizing the eternal nature of the Hereafter should deepen our reverence for nights such as these. Once we leave this world, there is no return. No amount of regret or remorse will change our fate. Thus, let us dedicate Berat Night to genuine repentance, seeking forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

‘The wise person is the one who controls their desires and prepares for the Hereafter. The foolish person is the one who follows their whims and merely wishes for the mercy of Allah without action.’

Allah, in Surah Hud (11:3), commands:

‘Seek forgiveness from your Lord and turn to Him in repentance, so that He may grant you a good life until an appointed time and bestow His grace upon those who deserve it. But if you turn away, I fear the punishment of a dreadful day for you.’

A Special Message for Parents

On this blessed occasion, I would like to remind our community of an important duty: raising our children in a way that preserves our faith and cultural heritage. Our children are our most valuable trust from Allah, and it is our responsibility to nurture them both physically and spiritually.

One of the most crucial aspects of this responsibility is ensuring that our children receive an education within our own institutions. The future of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish community depends on the education and upbringing of our children. We must not be misled by campaigns aimed at discouraging attendance at our minority schools. By enrolling our children in these schools, we safeguard not only their academic growth but also their connection to our language, faith, and traditions.

Let us not be swayed by temporary gains that could lead to irreversible losses in the long run. The importance of preserving our identity cannot be overstated. Many successful professionals within our community are proud graduates of our minority schools. Parents, as the primary guardians of our children’s future, must recognize their duty and make informed decisions.

Final Words

On this sacred occasion of Berat Night, I extend my heartfelt prayers for the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish community and the entire Islamic world. May this night bring us divine mercy, forgiveness, and blessings, and may we enter the holy month of Ramadan with cleansed hearts and renewed faith.

May Allah accept our prayers and grant us His infinite grace. Ameen.”