“Our Prophet, Iman, and Istiqamah”
Honorable Muslims!
The goal of our sublime religion, Islam, is to build an ideal society of virtuous people. It is to build a world where all creation can live in safety and peace. Allah the Almighty (swt) has blessed us with reason and will for this purpose. It is for this reason that He (swt) has sent the divine books which are guides and the Prophets who are the representatives of the right and the truth. Moreover, our Lord Almighty (swt) has also provided us with guidance to follow steadfastly the true path. This involves duly believing in our Lord (swt) and leading a life on the straight path.
Dear Believers!
Iman means being a sincere servant to our Lord (swt). It means living a life in the footsteps of the Prophet (saw).
Iman requires istiqamah, i.e. to match one’s word with one’s deed. It is to appear as one is or to be as one appears.
Istiqamah in faith means not attributing any partners to Allah (swt). It is to embrace tawhid and wahdat. It is to be sincerely committed to the verse, “So be steadfast as you are commanded.”1
Istiqamah in worship is the perseverance in our duties of servitude to Allah (swt) until death comes to us. Istiqamah in worship is to worship Allah (swt) alone and to purify our worship from all kinds of pretense and ostentation.
Istiqamah in morals is to adopt the exemplary morality of the Prophet (saw), who says, “I was sent to perfect good character.”2
Dear Believers!
We have learned istiqamah in faith, sincerity in worship, and honesty in morals from our Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw). From him (saw) we have learned love and respect, reverence and affection, the culture of living together as brothers and sisters.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following verse, in which our Lord (swt) gives glad tidings to the believers who attain istiqamah: “Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast—there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.”3
[1] Hud, 11/112.
[2] Ibn Hanbal, II, 381.
[3] Ahqaf, 46/13.
Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Our Prophet, Iman, and Istiqamah” 2023.10.06_Khutba_EN(PDF)