Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Qurbani: A Means For Getting Closer To Allah And His Servants”

Dear Muslims!
Allah the Almighty states in the verse I have recited as follows, “For every community We appointed a rite of sacrifice so that they may pronounce the Name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them…”¹

In the hadith I have read, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, “The son of Adam does not do any deed on the Day of Sacrifice that is dearer to Allah (swt) than sacrificing an animal for Him.”²

Dear Believers!
There are only a few days left for us to perform the worship of qurbani, which is one of the greatest symbols of our sublime religion, Islam. May our Lord Almighty allow us all to reach the ‘Eid al-Adha in health, well-being, and joy.

Qurbani is the act of a Muslim who is considered wealthy according to religious standards, slaughtering animals that meet the conditions for sacrifice for the sake of Allah during the days of ‘eid. Qurbani is an expression of our gratitude for the countless blessings that Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us. It is the effort of being a servant to Allah, drawing near to Him (swt), and obeying His commands. It is a sign that our love for Allah surpasses all other affections. It symbolizes that we are willing to sacrifice everything we have in this worldly life for the sake of Allah.

Dear Muslims!
The worship of qurbani has much deeper meanings than merely slaughtering an animal and benefiting from its meat. It is expressed in the Holy Qur’an as, لَنْ يَنَالَ اللّٰهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَٓاؤُ۬هَا وَلٰكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوٰى مِنْكُمْۜ “Neither their meat nor blood reaches Allah. Rather, it is your piety that reaches Him.”² Through sacrifice, we equip ourselves with piety; we feel the peacefulness of fulfilling our Lord’s command and attaining His love and pleasure. We fulfill the Sunnah of our Prophet (saw) and enjoy the pleasure of bringing affection to the homes, hearts and tables of the needy and oppressed. We unlock the door of kindness, and experience the happiness of being included in the prayers of orphans and the lonely.

Dear Muslims!
The Türkiye Diyanet Foundation will be once again at the service of our great jamaat for individuals who want to perform the qurbani worship by proxy, as it does each year. With the motto “Share Your Qurbani, Get Closer to Your Brothers and Sisters”, we will not only distribute portions of meat from the qurbani to those in need all over the world, but we will also share your’s helpfulness charity with them. Each sacrificial animal you entrust to us will be slaughtered in a clear and transparent manner according to Islamic procedures, and distributed in your name to the oppressed, victimized, and those in need. This way, our sense of brotherhood will get stronger, and the joy and happiness of the ‘eid will reach the saddened hearts insha Allah. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, our dear congregation, to join this caravan of charity through applying of our Foundation. May Allah (swt) allow us to reach the ‘Eid in good health, peace, and happiness.

May Allah the Almighty accept our sacrifices in His presence. May Allah grant our brothers and sisters in Gaza to reach the morning of ‘eid with joy, peace, and security.

[1] Hajj, 22/34.
[2] Tirmidhi, Adahi, 1.
[3] Hajj, 22/37.

Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Qurbani: A Means For Getting Closer To Allah And His Servants” (PDF)