Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

March, Friday 15. 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 says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarah:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn God-consciousness and self-restraining fear (taqwa).”  (S.2  V.183)

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So, whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it. … ”  (S.2  V.185)

Allah has singled out the month of Ramadan not just as an obligation to fast in, but as the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. It was also the month of Ramadan in which the Angel Jibril used to meet the Prophet SAW every night to revise the Qur’an with him. So, there is in fasting and in the recitation of the Qur’an a common means by which we can bring about Taqwa in ourselves. For they both regulate the manner in which we spiritually proceed towards Allah, they represent means by which we can purify our souls, and spiritually ascend in our dispositions.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarah:

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”  (S.2  V.2)

So, the people of Taqwa are those who honor Allah as He should be honored, this entails that they honor the Qur’an as it should be honored and who recite it as it should be recited, who reflect and ponder upon its verses as it should be pondered. Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah as-Sad:

“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”  (S.38  V.29)

In other words, Allah is informing us that this Book which He has revealed to us, contains much good, has deep benefit, tremendous barakah, so who reflect upon its verses will attain unto its deep meanings and then act upon what it is telling them to do. 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.”  (S.6  V.155)

So, the following of the Qur’an is what bequeaths lights in the heart, contentment in ourselves, and true unconditional happiness in our lives. And Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ibrahim:

“[This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord – to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy”  (S.14  V.1)

O Fasting Believers! Indeed both the fast and the recitation of the Qur’an will intercede for their people on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet SAW said: “Fasting and the Qur’an intercede for a man. Fasting says, ‘O my Lord! I have kept him away from his food and his passions by day, so accept my intercession for him.’  The Qur’an says, ‘I have kept him away from sleep by night, so accept my intercession for him.’ Then their intercession is accepted.” [Ahmad]   Let us recite the Qur’an, ponder upon its meanings, for through this Allah sends down His baraka and His peace and His mercy.

The Prophet SAW said: “If anyone recites a letter of God’s Book he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward.” [Tirmidhi]

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! Give shifa to all those who are sick.

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