Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

November, Friday 10. 2023

All praise is due to Allah Who sent down the Qur’an with which He guided us to the straight path. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, having no partners, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

O servants of Allah! Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Hasyr:

“O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”  (S.59  V.18)

Indeed, the blessing of stability is the foundation for building nations. (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When

Prophet Ibrahim SAW made Mecca a homeland for some of his descendants, he turned to Allah and called upon him. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarah:

“…My Lord, make this a secure land.…”  (S.2  V.126)

In other words, Prophet Ibrahim SAW supplicated to Allah that He make this land a place where peace and

security is fully felt throughout. It is worth reflecting on the fact that this is the very first thing that he asked Allah for, indicating the importance of peace and security, not just for his immediate family in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense for the region and the generations to come, as it allows for peace and mind and heart in the worship of Allah. In Medina Munawwara Muhammad SAW said: “O Allah! Ibrahim declared Mecca sacred, and I declare the land between its (Medina’s) two lava plains to be sacred.” [Bukhari and Muslim]   By referencing the two lava plains, the Prophet SAW was referencing its two ends, stating that the entirety of Medina be made a place of safety and security for all. Not just security for human beings therein, but for animals, birds, trees, and other forms of life. Abu Hurayrah RA state: If I were to find deer in the territory between the two mountains, I would not molest them, and he SAW declared twelve miles of suburb around Medina as a prohibited pasture. [Muslim]   So, the Prophet SAW effectively surrounded his homeland with a boundary of security that served as a protective fortress for all within. This protection was for people and the environment, including vegetation, for the purposes of religion. This indicates that the goals of sacred law are achieved when people are reassured about their selves, their property, and their honor.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Quraish:

“ So, let them worship the Lord of this House,”  “Who hath fed them against hunger and hath made them safe from fear.”  (S.106  V.3—4)

O servants of Allah! From the guidance of the Prophets SAW was his supplicating for his nation, to pray for prosperity for the homeland. This is what Prophet Ibrahim SAW did when he made supplication for his homeland Mecca.

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

“‌My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits.”  (S.2  V.126)

The Prophet SAW prayed for Medina saying: “O Allah! Bless us in our fruits; bless us in our city; bless us in our sa’; and bless us in our mudd.” [Muslim]  In such a manner were the Prophets SAW making supplication for peace and prosperity for their homeland. So, let us too make much supplication for our homeland, and for the collective Muslims, especially those

who are not finding peace, or who are facing oppression. In asking Allah for these things, for ourselves, and our brothers and sisters around the world, we are taking the means by which these things are given and preserved. Allah’s generosity knows no bounds and His blessings are innumerable, and part of our gratitude for these blessings is that we become vessels and means to spread peace to others, being a helper to friends and our brothers and sisters around the world. We should be of those who rush to help people when distress befalls them.

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 and all our ibada and also all our good deeds for the sake of Your pleasure.

O Allah! Guide us to the right path and accept all our worships

O Allah! Accept all our good deeds and forgive our sins.

O Allah! Give rizq in abundance to all Muslims in Japan

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