Honorable Muslims!
In the verse I have recited, our Lord Almighty (swt) states, “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, genuine prayer should deter one from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is an even greater deterrent. And Allah fully knows what you all do.”1
In the hadith I have read, our Prophet (saw) says, “Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat.”2
Dear Believers!
Salah serves as a shield, guarding us against all forms of evil. It cultivates numerous positive habits within us. The ablution (wudu) performed before salah teaches us the importance of purifying ourselves from both material and spiritual impurities. Facing the Ka’bah symbolizes leaving behind worldly distractions and standing in reverence before the divine presence of our Lord (swt). Initiating the salah with “Allahu Akbar” underscores the importance of seeking refuge in Allah (swt) in all aspects of our lives. The act of standing (qiyam) in salah symbolizes our alignment with truth and righteousness, affirming our opposition to injustice and oppression. Recitation (qira’at) serves as a reminder that just as we recite the Qur’an, we must also apply its teachings to every facet of our lives. Bowing (ruku) signifies our acknowledgment that we should bow before none but Allah (swt). Prostration (sajdah) brings the joy of closeness to Allah (swt). Salam serves as a reminder to nurture love for our brothers and sisters, fostering peace and trust among us.
Dear Muslims!
A Muslim must never neglect their salah without a valid excuse. Salah cannot be postponed with the intention of making them up later. In this regard, our Almighty Lord (swt) states in the Holy Qur’an as follows: وَأْمُرْ اَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلٰوةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَاۜ “Bid your people to pray, and be diligent in observing it.”3 A Muslim is also obliged to nurture love for prayer within their family through compassion, mercy, gentle speech, and a smiling demeanor. In this regard, our Prophet (saw) says, “Command your children to pray when they become seven years old.”4 He (saw) approached the door of his beloved daughter, Fatimah (ra), and addressed, “O members of the household! Let us pray!”, and invited them for salah.5
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Let us rejuvenate our hearts through salah. Let us free ourselves from the burden of sins through salah. Let us never overlook our salahs amidst the temporary hustle and bustle of this world.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following good news from our Prophet (saw), “Whoever continues to perform five-times daily salah, knowing that to do so is the commandment of Allah, and showing due diligence to the salah’s ruku’, sajdah, wudu’, and hour, goes to heaven.”6
[1] ‘Ankabut, 29/45.
[2] Nasa’i, Muharaba, 2.
[3] Ta-Ha, 20/132.
[4] Abu Dawud, Salah, 26.
[5] Tirmidhi, Tafsir al-Qur’an, 33.
[6] Ibn Hanbal, IV, 266.
Friday Khutba Of Tokyo Camii “Salah: The Light Of Our Eyes” (PDF)