Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

February, Friday 17. 2023

In the name of Allah Most Gracious and Most Merciful   

All praises are due to Allah. We believe in Him and His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and in Destiny its good and apparent bad. We are content with Allah as our Lord, Islam as our religion. 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! Being in this world, it is required, in the wisdom of Allah that our affairs fluctuate between hardship and ease, happiness and adversity. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Anbiya: ‌

“…And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.”  (S.21  V.35)

The Believer is the one who is always certain in his heart of the wisdom of Allah with regards to what He destines, whether it appears to be a bestowal or being denied something.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nisaa and Suran al-Baqarh: 

“…Say, ‘All [things] are from Allah.’ …”  (S.4  V.78)

“…But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”  (S,2  V,216)

If the believer has cause to feel happiness and goodness, he thanks his Lord. Praising Him with his heart and with words of praise and expressing his gratitude in his character and deeds, responding to the command of his Lord. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nahl:

“…And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.”  (S,16  V.114)

So, the believer utilizes the blessings he has been given to draw closer to Allah through his worship and he helps the weak, helping the poor and destitute. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarh: 　

“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? …”  (S.2:  V.245)

So glad tidings to those who are grateful, their reward is increased and multiplied. This is the promise of their Lord.

O Believers! O you who are grateful and patient! Such a believer finds Allah with him, even in the face of tremendous difficulty. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Surah az-Zumar:

“…Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.”  (S.39  V.10)

Those who commit themselves to patience in this life will win an elevated position in the Hereafter. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Patience is illumination.”  There are many types of patience, including self-restraint to avoid sins, firm will to engage continuously in acts of worship and positive attitude at times of adversity. In one place Allah ordered His servants to be patient when worshipping Him. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqara:

“O you who have believed! Seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”  (S.2  V.153)  Because prayer is a continuous obligation that requires patience and efforts. The Prophet SAW said: “How wondrously amazing is the affair of the believer: Indeed, there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of the believer. For if he has cause to feel delight, then he thanks (Allah) and thus there is a good for him in that, and if he is afflicted with dismay then he shows patient endurance and there is a good for him in that.” [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! Accept our prayers and all our ibada.  

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

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

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

O Allah! Accept all of us Dawah worker in Japan

O Allah! Grant safety and security in Japan and all over the world. Aamin ya Rabbil Aalamin