Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

November, Friday 17. 2023

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 the slave of Allah and His Messenger.

O Servants of Allah! Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah at-Talaq:

“…And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out.”  “And will provide for him from where he does not expect. …”  (S.65  V.2—3)

And Allah informs us that wealth has an outer adornment in this world, Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Kahf:

“Wealth and children are adornment of the worldly life. …”  (S.18  V.46)

So, wealth in its outward sense and capacity and potential is a great blessing. It is often a cause for joy and an adornment, because it serves as one of the main means by which people support their lives. It is through wealth that people can attain unto the goods and services that they need. It can be the means to attain happiness, but we cannot turn spirit into a commodity, so ultimate happiness is us bearing in mind that we should not use our money for purely egocentric purposes, but instead as a means of bringing about the pleasure of Allah. The fleeting sense of this world will become manifest when we are resurrected, and that is when we realize that the wealth we had was given as a gift and trust. For this reason, Allah has commanded us to strive not only in earning money but in using it in the best of ways for our provision. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Muluk:

“It is Allah Who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection.”  (S.67  V.15)

We should be conscious of the rights of others with regards to our wealth. For through wealth a person can suffice himself and his family, and try and prepare a noble life for his children and those that come after him. The Prophet SAW said: “If you leave your heirs wealthy, that is better than if you leave them poor.” [Bukhari and Muslim]   Allah has praised His believing servants, as being those who are just in their expenditure, so they do not waste their wealth by squandering it, nor are they niggardly by being stingy. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Furqan:

“And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.”  (S.25  V.67)

The intelligent and prudent person is someone who is capable and balanced in the management of their wealth. Such a person spends their wealth in a way that brings about a return with good upon them in this world and the hereafter. They are those who think about the future generations and their children. Indeed, the sound investment of money and its responsible management that results in growth, is what helps give stability to a person in attaining to his needs and managing the affairs of his life, supporting him in a life of devotion to his Lord. The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move from before his Lord on the Day of Judgement, until he is asked about five things.”  Amongst these five things he SAW mentioned: “About his wealth and how he earned it.” [Tirmidhi]

So, glad tidings are given to the one who earns their money through striving and exertion, and who spend their wealth on the pleasure of their Lord. In this way they increase in wealth, baraka and growth, and attain unto happiness and contentment, thereby maximizing their reward and recompense. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Hadid:

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.”  (S.57  V.7)

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! Bless us with Your love. Bless us the love of those You love.

O Allah! Accept our prayers and all our ibada.

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

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

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