Semerkand İngilizce Dergi Sayı: 20 - Ağustos 2023
The August issue of the Semerkand English Magazine poses its readers with two essential questions for all Muslims in its feature article, "Who Is a Good Person and What Constitutes Goodness?" The author Salih Selçuk gives detailed explanations of the concepts of ihsanand muhsin, goodness and good people as referred to in the Qur’an, in his expounding of the fine details and essential principles by which Muslims are qualified as "good people” according to Islam.
He elaborates on the subject with numerous examples from the Qur’an and hadiths, stating the necessity to actively pursue the goals and milestones believers need to achieve in order to be counted among the muhsins. He provides a comprehensive discourse of the characteristics of the righteous deeds that muhsinsperform to become beloved servants of Allah. He touches upon the blessings and rewards of drawing closer to Allah with ihsan. In the closing section of the article, he presents several attributes as the cornerstones of ihsan, which muhsins take to the heart and apply to every aspect of their lives, such as taqwa, forgiveness, benevolence, and diligence to do good.
Our lead author Muhammed Mübarek Elhüseyni focuses on the profound bliss and tranquility believers can derive by worshipping Allah with devotion. He mentions both the worldly and spiritual benefits bestowed upon those who commit righteous deeds and the peaceful calm that believers experience after praying salah together in congregation. After recounting some of the rewards that worshippers of taqwa can find as blessings from Allah, the author delves into the visible serenity seen among the millions of Muslims in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina, emphasizing the spiritual delight that permeates the atmosphere in these sacred places as well as other significant locations blessed with the presence of prophets and awliya. Lastly, he explains that the good servants of Allah can rejoice in the great rewards promised for them in various ayahs and concludes with a prayer for the attainment of the peace and blessings such dedicated worship brings.
The August 2023 issue of Semerkand English Magazine follows the lead article with "Words of Advice" taken from "Al-Minhaju’s-Sani,” a comprehensive compendium of tasawwuf authored by the revered wali Ghawth-i Thani Sayyid Abdülbaki Elhüseyni. The issue also offers a rich collection of insightful articles, including "Faith, Deed, and Charity” by Sıtkı Çoban, "A Palace on the Outside, A Ruin Within” by Abdusselam Yiğit, and "Awaken and Face Yourself,” featuring a passage from the esteemed work of tasawwuf "Taju’l-Arus” by Ibn Ataullah al-Iskandari. Other contributions include "Nafs al-Mulhimah” by Cihat Ceylan, "Reflections from the Age of Bliss” by Burak Derin, "The Boy Who Stoned the Date Tree” by Abdullah Suat Demirtaş, and "To Pray for Those Who Stone Us” by Ali Yurtgezen."