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)

These days, we are witnessing blessed days and nights, being the first ten days of Dhul Hijja. Allah, the Most Exalted, swore by them in an indication to their great importance. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Fajr:

“By the dawn,”  “and [by] the ten nights,”  “and [by] the even [number] and the odd,”  “and [by] the night when it passes,”  “is there [not] in [all] that an oath [sufficient] for one of perception?”  (S.89  V.1–5) 

Allah, the Almighty, gave oath by the first ten days of Dhul Hijja because they fall in a sacred month and in them falls the blessed Day of Arafah. Therefore, during these days, the best acts of worship are recommended, including prayer, fast, Hajj, almsgiving, sacrifices and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). 　In these days, Allah multiplies His rewards for the believers who perform good deeds. And since not all people are capable of performing Hajj, Allah made the ten days of Dhul Hijja a season of worship for those who go for Hajj and those who do not. Thus, whoever is unable to perform Hajj, he can do a good deed during those days while in his house. The first ten days of Dhul Hijja are a great opportunity for attaining Allah’s forgiveness and winning rewards equal to those granted for performing Hajj. Such gracious reward can also be achieved by seizing the opportunity during these ten days and engaging ourselves in acts of worship that are conducive to bring us closer to our Lord and are equal to Hajj in rewards. Therefore, whoever is diligent on establishing the prayer on its prescribed time will, by Allah’s favour, attain a reward that is equal to the reward granted for performing Hajj. In this context, performing two Rakaas prior to the Fajr prayer is better than all that is in the world.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “The two Rakaas at dawn are better than all the world and whatever is in it.” 

O servants of Allah! Furthermore, if anyone extols Allah after every prayer thirty three times, praises Allah thirty three times, declares His Greatness thirty three times, ninety nine times in all, and says to complete a hundred, “I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, having no associates. To Him belongs all the Dominion and all praise is due to Him. He is the Omnipotent,” then his sins will be forgiven even if these are as abundant as the foam of the sea. Another highly rewarded act of worship is attending lessons at masjid seeking beneficial knowledge. Amongst the other good deeds that draw us closer to our Lord during these days is being grateful to Him, the Almighty, for His bounties and generous favours. Thanking Allah, the Most Exalted, is another cause of effacing one’s sins.

The Prophet SAW said, “If anyone eats food and then says, ‘All praise is due to Allah Who has fed me with this food and provided me with it through no might and power on my part,’ he will be forgiven his past and future sins. If anyone puts on a garment and says, ‘All praise is due to Allah Who has clothed me with this and provided me withit through no might and power on my part,’ he will be forgiven his past and future sins.

”  That the most important thing we should advise each other about is obeying Allah, the Most High, and know that the Messenger of Allah SAW urged for performing good deeds during these sacred days and nights and seizing the opportunity to engage in all actions that brings Allah’s satisfaction.Allah, the Most Gracious, swore by these days for they are glorious ones. Thus, we should honour them by performing as many acts of obedience as possible. For instance, one should recite the Qur’an much, remember Allah much, say Tahlil and Tahmid, invoke prayers and blessings upon the Prophet SAW, pray Nawafil, give for charity, honour ties of kinship and help others. Indeed, any act of goodness towards others is recommended during these blessed days.

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

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