All praises are due to Allah. I testify that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the uniquely One who has no partners in His one-ness. And I testify that the Prophet Muhammad is a slave of Allah and His Messenger.

Dear Believers! We are on the last Friday of Ramadan, and soon we will bid farewell to this holy month which has overwhelmed us with its flow of blessings. So blessed those who have seized this opportunity in increasing acts of worship by rightly observing fast, standing up for prayer at night, reciting the holy Qur’an and fairly treating people renewing their faith. They will be honoured and may also get the acceptance and forgiveness from Allah.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Fussilat:

“Those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah.’  and then remained on a right course – the angels will descend upon them, [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.’” (S.41  V.30)

Indeed being consistent in doing good is the quest of the righteous and a characteristic of the pious. It is also a protection for Muslims from falling in sin and an immunity from defect. Thus was the tradition of our Guide Muhammad SAW for he had always been committed to good work. As a matter of fact, adhering to acts of worship is a recognition of Allah’s blessings and His generous bounties on us. That is why our Prophet Muhammad SAW used to stand up for prayers at nights. Engaging in good work is among Allah’s commandments for His messengers SAW. In this regard,

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Muaminun:

“O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing.” (S.23  V.51)

Truly whoever does good deeds on regular basis will survive and will be blessed with happiness in this life and Paradise in the Hereafter, for Allah, Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl:

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward according to the best of what they used to do.” (S.16  V.97)

Please be aware that Muslims should establish for themselves a path in this life with which to please Allah. One way to do this is by praying as many Nawafil as possible. If any Muslim prays for the sake of Allah twelve Rakaas of Sunan every day, over and above the obligatory ones, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. Some of the preferred Sunan is the night vigil, even for two Rakaas every night, and optional fasting outside Ramadan for at least three days every month. Prophet Muhammad SAW highly recommended to us fasting six days in the month of Shawwal as he said, “He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal; it would be as if he fasted perpetually.”

Please bear in mind also the virtues of being consistent in remembering Allah, as anyone who remembers Allah.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarah:

“So remember Me; I will remember you.…” (S.2  V.152),

Among the good deeds that can enlighten the life of a Muslim and be a provision for him in the next life is his praising Allah, the Most Exalted, and asking Him for forgiveness by day and by night. Other acts that are equally beneficial to Muslims are reciting the holy Qur’an, treating parents nicely, honouring ties of kinship, helping the poor, assisting people when need be and brining joy to their hearts. All of these are examples of the good acts you put forward for yourselves, and whose reward you will find with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. And indeed Allah has made Zakat al-Fitr as a means of purification for those who fast, and a means of food for those who are poor. It is permissible to pay in money, which has been estimated to be 2,000YEN for every person in the family. It should be distributed before the people leave for the Eid prayer, so the last time it can be paid is when the Imam gets up to lead the prayer of Eid, although its obligation does not end if one misses the time to have performed it. let us ensure that we give our Zakat al-Fitr early.

May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon prophet Muhammad SAW, his family and all of his Companions. May Allah be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and all those who will follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.

O Allah! Accept our prayers, all our ibada and all of our good deeds and forgive us for our sins.

O Allah! Guide us to the right path and make us of those on whom You bestows Your mercy.

O Allah! Accept us for Your service and for the service of Islam and Muslims

O Allah! Grant safety and security to everyone here in Japan as well as all over the world. Aamin ya Rabbil Aalamin.