Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

June, Friday 23. 2023

In the name of Allah Most Gracious and Most Merciful

All praises are due to Allah the Lord of all the worlds, who accepts from His slaves deeds that are intended sincerely for His sake. 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 the Most Exalted says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqara:

“…take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding.”  (S.2  V.197)

And Allah the Most High has revealed on the Day of ‘Arafah His Statement as in the Qur’an in Surah Maaida:

“…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. …”  (S.5  V.3)

Religion was thus perfected, and with religion, noble character traits were perfected. The Prophet SAW said: “I was only sent to perfect noble character traits.” [al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad and al-Bazzar]   Religion is all about (noble) character traits. Remembrance of Allah produces in a person fear of Allah and a state of mind that Allah is forever watching over him. Establishing ritual prayer induces the worshipper to perform righteous works and refrain from prohibited acts. Allah Most High says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Ankabut:

“…Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater (than everything in life). …”  (S.29  V.45)

Indeed, Allah has assured forgiveness and pardon for he who safeguards his bodily limbs and organs on the Day of ‘Arafah. The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Verily, this is a Day, whoever holds and controls on it (i.e. on this Day) his hearing, sight and tongue, will be forgiven.” [Ahmad]   And Prophet SAW said: “Strive to fast on that Day, fasting on Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” [Muslim]

O servants of Allah! It is recommended for the pilgrim to increase in the performance of acts of worship and in Talbiyah (a prayer recited by pilgrims going to Makkah) till he starts throwing the stones at ‘Aqabah. He should endeavor to read the Qur’an and supplicate much, especially on the day of ‘Arafah, for The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “The best supplication is that of (the day of) ‘Arafah, and the best word that I and all Prophets have said on the day of ‘Arafah is, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu lahul-mulk walahul hamd, wahuwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in qadeer’ (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things).” [Tirmidhi]   The pilgrim should also guard his tongue and abstain from backbiting, fighting and arguments.

O servants of Allah! The Muslim should also recite the prescribed Takbeer from right after Fajr (dawn) prayer on the day of ‘Arafah till the afternoon of the 13^th day of Dhul-Hijjah. The Takbeer is as follows, “Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, La ilaaha illallaah, wallaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar walillaahil hamd.” It is also recommended for the pilgrims and others to perform many good deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “There are no days in which good deeds are dearer to Allah than in these days (i.e. the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Not even Jihaad in the way of Allah?” He SAW replied, “Not even Jihaad in the way of Allah, except for a man who goes out for Jihaad with his life and wealth and comes back with none of the two.” (Bukhaari & Muslim)

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! Please accept all of us for Your obedience and bless us with obedience towards Your Messenger SAW.

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

O Allah! Accept our prayers and all our ibada.

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

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

and

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