Dear Believers!
Ramadan is the Month of the Qur’an. This month marks the beginning of the revelation of the Holy Qur’an, our divine book, to Prophet Muhammad (saw). Ramadan is the time when the light of the revelation illuminated time, space, and all of humanity. Our Lord (swt) states in the Surah al-Baqarah as follows: “Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority.”1 Ramadan calls to recite and understand the Qur’an and integrate its wisdom into our lives.
Dear Muslims!
Ramadan is the month of fasting. Fasting is a unique form of worship that nourishes both body and soul, bringing health to one and peace to the other. Fasting serves as a shield against sins and evils. Our Prophet (saw) says, “When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice. If anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: ‘I am fasting.'”2 Ramadan calls to a complete fast, one that purifies us not just physically but also from all forms of evil and sin.
Dear Believers!
Ramadan is the month when helping and solidarity reach its peak. Ramadan is a blessed time when we transform temporary worldly possessions into lasting rewards for the Hereafter through zakat, sadaqah, and all forms of infaq. Our Lord Almighty (swt) states,
وَمَٓا اَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۚ “Whatever you spend in charity, Allah will compensate you for it.”3 Ramadan invites us to share what we have, be there for the destitute, and bring a smile to the face of the orphan.
Dear Muslims!
Ramadan is the month when the bonds of brotherhood, unity, and solidarity are strengthened. But how bitter it is that in these days when we feel the excitement of Ramadan al-Sharif, al-Quds is still mournful, Gaza is still crying blood, and persecution continues in East Turkestan. For many Muslims around the world, the peace of sahur and the joy of iftar remain out of reach. Ramadan, the Month of Mercy, calls on us to reach out to our brothers and sisters facing persecution and mobilize all our resources, both material and spiritual, to support them.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following hadith of our Prohpet (saw): “Allah enjoined the fast of Ramadan upon you. And I have made it Sunnah for you to spend its nights in prayer. Whoever fasts it and spends its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will emerge from his sins as on the day his mother bore him.”4
[1] Baqarah, 2/185.
[2] Bukhari, Sawm, 2.
[3] Saba, 34/39.
[4] Nasa’i, Siyam, 40.
Friday Khutba Of Tokyo Camii “Welcome, The Month of Ramadan!”