Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

20 October 2023 / 5 Rabi’ul Akhir 1445H

Following in the Footsteps of the Prophet: Contributing to the Path of Goodness

My beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all of His orders, and by abstaining from all of His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us to the path that is pleasing to him. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

My brothers and sisters,

Last week’s sermon emphasised the importance of peace, harmony, and compassion for mankind at all times, especially during current challenging times. Today, I would like to touch on another important value from the hadith that was read last week, which is the value of "feeding those in need", as mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.):

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ: أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ، وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ، تَدْخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِسَلَامٍ

Which means: "O people, spread peace, feed the needy, and pray at night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise in peace." (Hadith narrated by Imam Tirmizi)

This value of "feeding the needy" or extending help reflects the value of human relationships which is built upon on our deep care and concern for others. This value teaches us that we must care for each other, and that we should help each other as we navigate this worldly life together.

Although the hadith only mentions "eating" as a basic human need, the value of providing assistance also encompasses other basic needs. These basic human needs sometimes cannot be adequately provided for, without the support and help of others.

Here lies our opportunity, as Allah's servants, to embody the nature of His Mercy by helping our fellow human beings, and in this way obtain the best reward from Allah (s.w.t.). As Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur’an:

Which means: “To give charity publicly is good, but to give to the poor privately is better for you, and will absolve you of your sins. And Allah is All-Aware of all that you do.” (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 271)

Allah (s.w.t.) has decreed that every one of us who has an advantage should use that advantage to help those in need. This can be done openly or privately. In this way, our contributions would surely benefit all.

My brothers and sisters,

Singaporeans are known for our generosity, our kindness, and also our compassion. We should be pleased to possess such qualities, and as such we should strive to maintain them.

This spirit of giving to those in need should not be limited to meeting immediate needs, but it should also address broader long-term issues, such as poverty, basic education, inequality, and so on.

It is when we display a spirit of care and concern for others that Allah (s.w.t.) provides a way out for us to overcome and deal with the problems and trials that we face.

My brothers and sisters,

The humanitarian crisis facing Palestine right now is truly a sad and heart-breaking tragedy. Every day, the number of innocent lives lost increase dramatically. As a peace-loving community, we strongly abhor and condemn bloodshed and any form of cruelty that is directed towards innocent victims. Therefore, it is our deepest hope that there will be a resolution to this crisis and tragedy, and the best solution is the achievement of peace, with all forms of violence being stopped.

The path towards ending a problem or conflict requires taking constructive steps towards a solution. To begin with, when voicing out our points of view, we need to ensure that every word we utter reflects the beauty of our morals. Remember that every word we say is a reflection of ourselves. A Muslim certainly would not be willing to tarnish themselves with words that can lead to hatred and enmity.

My beloved fellow Muslims,

Islam prioritises peace and harmony. Responding to evil with goodness is indeed a very noble act, and it is also a reflection of the character of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).

As we walk in the footsteps of the Prophet (s.a.w.), and strive to emulate his noble character by cultivating the value of "وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَام " as we grapple with the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, I would like to invite all of you gathered here today to contribute to the RLAF Humanitarian Relief for Gaza appeal. Your contributions can be made either online through the RLAF website or into the collection boxes provided at mosques starting from today. Such contributions serve as proof and a manifestation of our love for the Prophet (s.a.w.), and an evidence of our commitment to peace and compassion for others during this sad and challenging time. Through our financial assistance, moral encouragement, and spiritual support - which includes our prayers, recitation of qunut nazilah, performing hajat prayers, and others - we hope that we will be able to lighten the burden of the victims of this tragedy.

May Allah (s.w.t.) provide a full solution to this crisis, and may He grant our beloved Singapore Muslim community the ability to continue to strive to spread goodness, peace, and kindness in any situation. Amin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم

Second Sermon

الحَمْدُ للهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا كَمَا أَمَرَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ الله، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ تَعَالَى فِيمَا أَمَرَ، وَانتَهُوا عَمَّا نَهَاكُم عَنْهُ وَزَجَرَ.

أَلَا صَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى، فَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا اللهُ بِذَلِكَ حَيْثُ قَال فِي كِتَابِهِ العَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.

وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ المَهْدِيِّينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيِّ، وَعَن بَقِيَّةِ الصَّحَابَةِ وَالقَرَابَةِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ، وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ، وَعَنَّا مَعَهُم وَفِيهِم بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتِ، الأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا البَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ البُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِيْنَ وَفِي كُلِّ مَكَانٍ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرّاحِمِيْنَ، اللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. 

 

Ya Allah Ya Qawiy Ya Matin, With all humility, we raise our hand ask of you O Allah, restore peace dan tranquility for this world. Protect us, our country and our brothers and sisters who are caught in conflict and humanitarian crisis, especially those in Palestine from any hardship and injustice. Grant Your guidance so that any conflicts and tensions can be resolved peacefully.

Ya Rahman Ya Rahim, bestow Your mercy upon Your servants in need. Ease the challenges of Your servants’ facing obstacles.

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, look upon us and those affected with Your Mercy O Allah, and grant us and them Your endless bounty in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, please accept our prayers and grant us our wishes, Ya Mujibus Saailiin! Ya Rahman Ya Rahim. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

 

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ. 

عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي القُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذكُرُوا اللهَ العَظِيمَ يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.