FRIDAY KHUTBA OF TOKYO CAMİİ “INSIGHTFULNESS AND PRUDENCE AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF RELIGION“

Honorable Muslims!
In the verse I have recited, Allah the Almighty states, “And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.”^[i]
In the hadith I have read, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, “The best discourse is Allah’s Book. The best guidance is that given by Muhammad.”

Dear Believers!
Our sublime religion Islam is revealed to teach people about their Lord (swt), inform them of their reason for existence, and ensure their happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Islam is a complete set of values and rules formed by the guidance of the Qur’an and the example of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Muslims have held on tightly to these values and endeavored to understand, tell about, and live by Islam correctly by conforming to these rules. From past to present, however, there have been people who have tried to exploit and abuse Islam, the religion of right, truth, and true path, for worldly interests and benefits.

Dear Muslims!
Exploitation of religion means to obtain material gain, power, fame, and high ranks through using the spiritual authority of the religion.
Exploiters of religion ostracize those who do not think the way they do.

Dear Believers!
What falls upon each one of us is to act in an insightful and prudent manner.
As the members and followers of the final and perfected religion, we are granted reason and will by Allah the Almighty (swt). Let us know their value and not waste our treasure. Let us learn about our religion from experts, well-intended and authentic sources in order to prevent exploitation. Let us take only the unalterable truths of the Holy Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s sunnah as our measure.

^[i] An’am, 6/153.
^[ii] Nasai, ‘Idayn, 22.