Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Salah: The Light Of Our Eyes”

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!
One of the five pillars of our sublime religion, Islam, is salah. Salah is the pillar of our religion and the light of our eyes, as in the words of our Prophet (saw). It is the joy of our hearts and the key to our paradise.³ It is through salah that we acquire the consciousness of servitude and responsibility, and it is through salah that we attain Allah’s (swt) pleasure, His infinite mercy and forgiveness. It is through salah that we get rid of the worries that constrict our souls, and it is through prayer that we reach the climate of peace and well-being. In salah, we stand shoulder to shoulder, united in solidarity and brotherhood, reinforcing our sense of unity.

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 Brothers and Sisters!
Let us stand before our Lord’s (swt) presence with sincerity, devotion, and humility. Let us endeavor to perform our salah in congregation. Let us not deny ourselves and our families the spiritual ambiance of our mosques.

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.”⁴

[1] Ankabut, 29/45.
[2] Nasa’i, Muharaba, 2.
[3] Tirmidhi, Iman, 8; Nasa’i, Ishrat al-Nisa, 1; Abu Dawud, Adab, 78; Tirmidhi, Taharah, 1.
[4] Ibn Hanbal, IV, 266

Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Salah: The Light Of Our Eyes” PDF