Muslim Council of Elders Member His Eminence Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov: The servant's relationship with their Lord is the light that illuminates their path and from which they draw strength, tranquillity, and success in both worlds
His Eminence Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and Chairman of the Muslim Board in Uzbekistan, emphasized that the greatest possession a person has in their life is their relationship with their Lord. This relationship is the light that illuminates their path, the source from which they draw strength, tranquillity, and success in both this world and the hereafter. He pointed out that this relationship is not merely a series of rituals performed by the servant but is a deep spiritual connection based on love, submission, and appreciation.
In the eleventh episode of the Ramadan program "Humanitarian Values with the Elders," broadcasted on the social media platforms of the Muslim Council of Elders, His Eminence Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov stated that faith is the foundation upon which the relationship with Allah is built. It is the certainty that Allah is the Creator, the Merciful, the Just. When faith is present in the heart, it becomes a motivation that makes the servant worship their Lord with love, not just out of fear of punishment but out of longing for His satisfaction and closeness.
The member of the Muslim Council of Elders added that worship is the essence of the servant's relationship with their Lord and is a manifestation of the truth of monotheism and submission to Allah. Allah Almighty says in the Holy Book: "I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me" [The Quran, 51:56]. Worship is not limited to prayers and fasting but includes every act done by the servant in their daily life with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. It is the shortest path to closeness to Allah. As worship increases, so does the depth of the servant's relationship with their Lord, leading to profound internal peace. Prayer is also an important means of direct communication between the servant and their Lord, expressing the servant's desire to turn to Allah at all times, whether in hardship or ease, showing their dependence on and need for Him in all aspects of their life.
He also explained that one of the manifestations of the servant's relationship with their Lord is gratitude for His blessings, which involves acknowledging Allah's favors and recognizing His grace upon them. Gratitude should not only be expressed in words but must also be accompanied by actions. Allah Almighty says: “And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe’”[The Quran, 14:7]. Patience is also one of the crucial qualities that a servant must embody in their relationship with their Lord. It indicates enduring the hardships and trials faced in life. If the servant manages their relationship with their Lord based on this principle, they will attain a high status and elevated degree with Allah.
During the blessed month of Ramadan, the Muslim Council of Elders broadcasts five Ramadan programs on its platforms: "Al-Imam Al-Tayeb," "One Ummah," "Humanitarian Values with the Elders," "Month of Harmonious Coexistence," and "Our Ethics." These programs are part of the Council's media strategy aimed at utilizing all platforms to promote and enhance the values of dialogue, peace, tolerance, and human coexistence.