Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “A Bridge of Goodness, Zakat and Sadaqah al-Fitr”

Honorable Muslims!
Our sublime religion, Islam, commands us to share our wealth with those in need and to support and care for them. It commands us to remain united with a strong sense of solidarity and mutual support. Zakat is one of the acts of worship that instill in us such sense of awareness. Our Lord Almighty (swt) states, “Establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will ˹certainly˺ find ˹its reward˺ with Allah. Surely Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”¹

Dear Believers!
Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the obligatory act of giving a specific portion of a Muslim’s wealth, if they meet the threshold of wealth, to those in need, once a year. Zakat is an act of worship that embodies sharing, solidarity, and mutual support. Through zakat, people connect with one another, fostering an atmosphere of peace built on love and respect. Bridges of kindness and compassion are formed between the rich and the poor. Zakat serves as a reminder that Allah is the true owner of all wealth and possessions. It plays a vital role in increasing goodness and reducing evil. It safeguards us from stinginess and excessive attachment to worldly possessions. It purifies our body, soul, and wealth from both material and spiritual impurities. In this regard, the Messenger of Allah (saw) says, “Protect your wealth by giving zakat, and seek healing for your sick by giving charity.”²

Esteemed Muslims!
Another act of worship that reinforces our awareness of sharing and solidarity is sadaqah al-fitr. This act of worship, known as fitrah, is an expression of gratitude for observing Ramadan and reaching eid. Every Muslim who meets the religious criteria of wealth is responsible for giving fitrah on behalf of themselves and their dependents to those in need.Fitrah can be given before eid, and doing so is even more virtuous. Because fitrah enables our brothers and sisters in need to share in the joy of eid.

Dear Believers!
Our Almighty Lord states, وَف۪ٓي اَمْوَالِهِمْ حَقٌّ لِلسَّٓائِلِ وَالْمَحْرُومِ “And in their wealth there was a rightful share ˹fulfilled˺ for the beggar and the poor.”³ In Islam, giving zakat is not merely a matter of personal choice or generosity. Therefore, a Muslim should give zakat to those in need with sincerity and kindness, without causing harm or hurt to their dignity.
In Islam, zakat and sadaqah are based on the principle of direct possession, meaning they must reach the hands of the poor. However, those who are unable to give zakat and fitrah locally, or who wish to assist those in need both domestically and internationally, may distribute their zakat and fitrah through a trusted proxy. However, in such cases, they must ensure that their zakat and sadaqah reach their rightful recipients.

Dear Muslims!
Our Tokyo Camii Diyanet Foundation, with the motto “May Our Brotherhood Be Blessed with Zakat”, distributes the zakat and sadaqah al-fitr entrusted by generous people to our brothers and sisters worldwide. We invite you to support this caravan of brotherhood. You can easily contribute to this mobilization of benevolence, with a receipt, under the guidance of our staff, as well as through the bank accounts of our Tokyo Camii Diyanet Foundation.

[1] Baqarah, 2/110.
[2] Tabarani, Mu’jam al-Kabir, XIX, 128.
[3] Dhariyat, 51/19.

Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “A Bridge of Goodness, Zakat and Sadaqah al-Fitr” PDF