Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii Hajj: A Worship That Revives The Individual And Builds The Society

Dear Muslims!
Today is the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Day of Eid al-Adha. And yesterday was the Day of ‘Arafah. All the pilgrims have gathered at ‘Arafat for the waqfah. They offered their supplications to Allah. May our Almighty Lord (swt) grant Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) to all pilgrims and accept their prayers.

Dear Believers!
Hajj is a worship that contains many divine wisdoms and blessings. It revives individuals and builds the society. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a gathering of brotherhood where Muslims from all over the world come together. Hajj is qiyam (standing up); it is resurrection. Allah the Almighty expresses this truth as follows: “Allah has made the Ka‘bah, the Sacred House, standing for the people…”ⁱ

Dear Muslims!
A believer who seeks to attain the glad tidings of “The reward of Hajj Mabrur is nothing except Paradise.”ⁱⁱ from our beloved Prophet (saw) first enters the state of ihram. Ihram is to abandon all sins and prohibitions and to clothe oneself in the garment of piety. Ihram advises us to purify ourselves from worldly desires, ambitions, positions, fame, and prestige.
The believer who puts on ihram climbs ‘Arafat to fulfill the fardh of hajj. ‘Arafat is the place where the evils that corrupt individuals and societies are trampled upon, and where humanitarian and conscientious values that ensure peace and harmony are proclaimed to the world. ‘Arafat signifies reflection on death, resurrection, and the Day of Judgment.

Dear Believers!
Another fardh act of hajj is the Tawaf al-Ziyarah (circumambulation of visit). Tawaf engraves in our hearts the consciousness of organizing our lives according to the measures set by Allah (swt). It tells that believers, diverse in color, language, and race, yet united in purpose and ideals, should support each other like the bricks of a building.
After tawaf, believers proceed to sa‘y. Sa‘y is a pursuit, and an effort. Sa‘y reminds us to strive for the peace and well-being of our children and youth, drawing inspiration from the effort Hajar, the mother of Isma‘il, made to quench his thirst. The threats endangering our children today are no less significant or trivial than the thirst that threatened the Prophet Isma‘il in his childhood. For if our children and youth are deprived of Allah, awareness of the Hereafter, prophets, the Book, faith, and morality, they will face challenges greater than those Prophet Isma‘il could have encountered.
On these blessed days when prayers are accepted, I pray to Allah the Almighty that the ‘Eid al-Adha will bring goodness to the Islamic world, and all of humanity. I pray for peace and salvation for all oppressed and suffering people around the world, especially our brothers and sisters in Gaza.

[i] Ma’idah, 5/97..
[ii] Bukhari, ‘Umrah, 1.

Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii Hajj: A Worship That Revives The Individual And Builds The Society PDF