Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Our Responsibility to Represent Islam”
Dear Believers!
A Muslim is responsible to call people in the best manner to embrace Islam. This entails understanding and living by Islam properly and representing it nicely through our manners. The Messenger of Allah (saw) would live by the sublime religion of Islam himself in the first place, and only then he would communicate it to his Companions. He (saw) would not merely tell about it but demonstrate the niceties of Islam through his behaviors. He (saw) would set an example through his fairness and truthfulness, compassion and mercy, kindness and affection, generosity and helpfulness. His Companions would learn about Islam directly from him (saw) and immediately reflect what they learned on their daily lives. The generations to come after them followed this path as well. This way, Islam spread rapidly and many hearts became honored with Islam. The messages given through the lifestyles of believers, other than their words, have been effective in the spread of Islam in Anatolia, Africa, Far East, Balkans, and many other communities.
Dear Believers!
In the verse I have recited, Allah the Almighty (swt) states, “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah…”1
Then, let us be aware that we are an exemplary ummah to lead and guide humanity. Let us embrace the high truths of our religion and reflect them on our lives. Let us live in a steadfast manner just as we believe. Let us embrace purity and sincerity in all our affairs. Let us take the Messenger of Allah (saw) as our role model in faith and worship, knowledge and wisdom, and manners and piety. Let us be aware that not only our words but also the way we live and our good morals leave marks on the lives of people. Let us not forget that many people decide to embrace Islam by evaluating Muslims’ attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, Muslims who fail to duly represent Islam inflict the greatest harm on Islam without being aware of it.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with our Prophet’s (saw) following hadith: “Behold. Let me tell you about a believer. A believer is the one in whom people trust when it comes to their life and property. A Muslim is the one from whose hand and tongue people are safe.”2
[1] Al-i ‘Imran, 3/110.
[2] Tirmidhi, Fitan, 9.
Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Our Responsibility to Represent Islam” PDF
