Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

August, Friday 25. 2023

In the name of Allah Most Gracious and Most Merciful

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-An’am:

“And this [Qur’an] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”  (S.6  V.155)

Allah informs of good tidings for people who know how to listen productively.

Allah says in tne Qur’an in Surah az-Zumar:

“…So, give good tidings to My servants.”  “Those who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.”  (S.39  V.17—18)

The glad tidings they get is because such people attain unto the best in this world and in the next world, by attaining unto Paradise in the hereafter. The Prophet SAW said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allah.” [Muslim]   Also, Allah has ordered us to follow His speech. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah az-Zumar:

“…And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord.”  (S.39  V.55)

Concerning those who listen to the Lord and who follow the best of it, Allah informs us that He will accept their deeds and give them the best of rewards. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl and Surah al-Baqarah:

“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 [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”  (S.16  V.97)

“Establish prayer, and pay alms-tax.…”  (S.2  V.110)

A believer understands that the command from Allah is not just to outwardly perform the prayer, but that within the word “establish” is a call to him to pray in the best of states both outwardly and inwardly. Then such a person hastens to give of themselves in generosity by feeding the needy, extending peace to all people, and returning the greeting of salaams or peace (both literally and in spirit) with something better than it. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nisa:

“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. …”  (S.4  V.86)

Likewise, when such a person hears the words of Allah in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl:

“…But if you are patient – it is better for those who are patient.”  (S.16  V.126)

So, such a person chooses the way of Sabr, the way of patience in his affairs, so they can forgive people and be easy-going and tolerant. And when they hear the words of Allah in the Qur’an in Surah Fussilat:

“…Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”  (S.41  V.34)

They respond to those who have hurt them in the best of ways, attaining unto the pleasure of their Lord, and the love of creation.

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 Baraka in all of our affairs and make us blessed wheresoever we be.

O Allah! Accept our prayers and all our ibada and also all our good deeds for the sake of Your pleasure.

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

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