Friday Khutbah of Masjid Otsuka

July, Friday 28. 2023

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 in Surah ad-Duhan:

“Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place,”  “within gardens and springs.”  (S.44  V.51—52)

The word Baraka is the affirming of goodness in something and for the blessing of that goodness to be increased through benefit from it. This is something that a human being can sense for themselves, for if they reflect on the blessings of sound health and wellbeing, then they see will these blessings are being maintained by Allah’s grace alongside a facilitation of wealth and provision in a manner that is sufficient for their needs and brings contentment to the soul. So how do we attain unto the Baraka in our lives? From the greatest of means through which one can attain unto Baraka is that they commence their days with devotion and worship, such as performing prayer, reciting the Qur’an and to reflect on its meanings, so their entire day would be blessed and full of Baraka as the Qur’an itself is a book of Baraka. 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.”  (S.38  V.29)

The Surah Baqarah is from the Surahs most full of Baraka in the Qur’an. The Prophet SAW said: “Recite Surah al-Baqara, for using it produces blessing [Baraka].” [Muslim]   Baraka increases when one is sincere in their dealings amongst people. The Prophet SAW said about two people conducting trade: “[If both parties in a business transaction] tell the truth and make everything clear they will be blessed in their transaction.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

And the Prophet SAW said: “Whoever wishes to have their lifespan extended, and to attain unto Baraka in their sustenance; then let him show kindness and filial piety to his parents and uphold his ties of kinship.” [Ahmad]   So being kind to our parents and maintaining relationships with our kinship are from the means by which we bring about Baraka in our provision and our lives. In both the real-life sense and its deeper meaning of spreading peace, the act of giving salaams as soon as we enter our homes is a means of spreading Baraka.

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nur:

“…But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon each other – a greeting from Allah, blessed [i.e. of Baraka] and good. …”   (S. 24  V.61)

Likewise, the Prophet SAW said: “When you enter your house, give peace to your family, for it will be a blessing both to you and to your family.” [Tirmidhi]   In such a manner they can attain the reward of peace and attain unto the response of salaams from the Angels. These are the means by which Allah bestows Baraka and His gifts to families and the individuals in it. Through manifesting connection in their hearts, so they become connected to one another in mutual love, even in acts like eating together on the same table. The Prophet SAW said: “If you gather together at your food and mention Allah’s name, you will be blessed in it.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]

Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah an-Nisaa:

“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. …”  (S.4  V.59)

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! Give rizq in abundance to all Muslims in Japan

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