Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Let Us Preserve Our National and Spiritual Values”
Dear Muslims!
Societies that forget their own civilization and fall under the influence of foreign cultures lose their history, language, religion, and identity. Indeed, the warning of our Prophet (saw), مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ “He who copies any people is one of them,”1 holds great significance for all of us. For this reason, emulating figures from non-Islamic traditions that have no connection with our religion and tradition, dressing like them, and distributing gifts in their manner are against our belief and are wrong.
The birth of a prophet who invited humanity to truth and righteousness cannot be celebrated in a manner contrary to the values he conveyed. Therefore, any form of entertainment or behavior that disregards the boundaries of halal and haram or oversteps the limits of privacy is contrary to our faith and sinful. Moreover, for any reason, exchanging gifts through products sold by those who support oppressors who kill the innocent is a grave sin that deeply dishonors the memory of all our martyrs, especially the martyrs of Gaza. Let us never forget that haram acts such as alcohol, which is the root of many evils; gambling, which destroys families; fornication, which undermines the foundations of family and society; narcotic drugs, which render the mind and will powerless; and lotteries and other games of chance, which bring nothing but unhappiness, cannot be made halal or legitimate by any celebration or festivity, including New Year’s celebrations.
Honorable Brothers and Sisters!
The reason Muslims fall into such errors that conflict with their values and beliefs is worldliness and distancing themselves from divine principles. Our beloved Prophet (saw) warns us in this matter as follows: “You will follow the wrong ways, of your predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go into the hole of a lizard, you too will go there.”2 Therefore, let us firmly hold on to the values that define us and keep us steadfast. Let us protect ourselves, our families, our youth, and our children from false beliefs and improper attitudes and behaviors that have no place in our religion. Let us remember that those who fully follow Allah and His Messenger will attain peace in this world and eternal salvation in the Hereafter.
I conclude my khutbah with the meaning of the following verse from Surah al-Baqarah: “Never will the Jews or Christians be pleased with you, until you follow their faith. Say, ‘Allah’s guidance is the only ˹true˺ guidance.’…”3
[1] Abu Dawud, Libas, 4.
[2] Bukhari, Anbiya, 50
[3] Baqarah, 2/120.
Friday Khutba of Tokyo Camii “Let Us Preserve Our National and Spiritual Values” PDF
