Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

MAY , Friday 24. 2024

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! Allah is the Provider, expanding His sustenance and provision to whom He wills.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah at-Talaq and Surah az-Zariyat:

“Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm Possessor of Strength.”  (S.51 V.58)

Al-Razzāq (The Provider) is one of Allah’s Names and attributes, glorified be He in His supremacy, and this Name means that He is the One who bestows sustenance upon all His servants, granting provision to  both believers and non-believers alike. Indeed, He provides for plants, animals, and all beings within creation. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Hud:

“There is no creature on earth but that upon Allah is its provision. …”  (S.11  V.6)

So out of His mercy and wisdom, Allah guarantees sustenance for all of His creation. In fact Allah sometimes prevents some of His creation from certain sustenance as a mercy towards them for if Allah were to reveal the reasons and wisdom for withholding some provision from His servants, they would not choose anything other than what Allah has chosen for them. This is understanding we have a Lord who is taking care of us. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl:

“And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision.…”  (S.16  V.71)

Dear Believers! What do you think the deeper meaning of sustenance is? Surely, sustenance is broader than being confined to wealth or material possessions; rather, it encompasses every gift bestowed by Allah upon His creation. So having faith and certainty in Allah is from our

asustenance, as is good health and well-being. Marriage is also a form of sustenance, as is the love between spouses and children. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl:

“And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things.…”  (S.16  V.72)

Likewise, intelligence and discernment are also forms of sustenance, as is success, contentment and a life of wellbeing. The Prophet SAW said: “Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world.” [Tirmidhi)]     Also, having a good reputation is a type of sustenance, as is the love of people and their mutual affection. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Fatir:

“O mankind, remember the favor of Allah upon you. Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the heaven and earth? There is nothing worthy of worship except Him.”  (S.35  V.3)

So why is that many of us are deluded about the favors of Allah? We thank Him, glorified be He, for every blessing He has bestowed upon us, for indeed gratitude for a blessing increases it. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ibrahim:

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]’…”  (S.14  V.7)

Whoever seeks increase in their sustenance, let them strive in their efforts and diversify their sources of income.

َ

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.