Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

6 October 2023 / 20 Rabiulawal 1445H

In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Preserving our Blessings 

My blessed Friday congregants,

Let us elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands and abstaining from all His prohibitions. May we become His servants who achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. Amin.

Brothers and sisters,

As Muslims, we are encouraged to emulate Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as our role model in our lives. It encompasses following him in various aspects of life. Including personal conduct, ethics, spirituality, and even on practical matters. Let us ponder upon the profound and timeless lessons from the exemplary life of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) that we can learn from his approach towards the blessings bestowed upon him by Allah, the Most Merciful.

It is a lesson that calls for us to cultivate a mindset characterized by gratitude, humility, and generosity in response to the abundant blessings and favors that we receive from our Creator.

Sayyidah Aisyah (r.a.) reported in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim,

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا صَلَّى قَامَ حَتَّى تَفَطَّرَ رِجْلاَهُ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتَصْنَعُ هَذَا وَقَدْ غُفِرَ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا

Which means: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, "should I not be a thankful slave."

Subhanallah, despite his elevated status in the eyes of Allah, the Prophet (ﷺ) remained humble and constantly sought to increase his worship, recognizing and appreciating all the blessings bestowed upon him by Allah (s.w.t). Let us not merely admire the conduct of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in response to Allah's blessings. Rather let us use it as a blueprint for leading a life of purpose and virtue. Emulating his example is not just a matter of admiration, but a call to action that can transform our lives for the better. 

Brothers and sisters,

Allah (s.w.t.) mentioned in the Quran:

 

Which means: “Whatever blessings you have are from Allah. Then whenever hardship touches you, to Him alone you seek help”  [Surah al-Nahl: 53].

This verse serves as a reminder of a fundamental truth: that all blessings come from the Allah (s.w.t). It underscores the idea that our successes, our health, our families, our wealth, and even the beauty of the natural world around us are manifestations of Allah's love and mercy.

In our daily lives, it is easy to overlook the simple yet profound concept that every blessing, every ounce of good fortune, every moment of joy, and every achievement is a gift from the Allah (s.w.t). 

My brothers and sisters,

This belief carries profound implications in our lives. It encourages a sense of gratitude that goes beyond mere words. It calls on us to reflect deeply on the countless blessings we enjoy daily and to express our thankfulness through our actions. Gratitude is not merely a sentiment; it is a way of life that involves recognizing Allah's generosity and living in a manner that reflects that recognition.

As believers, it is our duty to express gratitude for these blessings by utilizing them in ways that align with Allah's will. We must always keep in mind that Allah holds the power over all His blessings, and it is through His grace that we are able to enjoy them.

As we strive to earn a living, let us not forget that our efforts alone are not enough. Our hearts must also submit to Allah and remain humble. This attitude of humility teaches us to use the blessings bestowed upon us in a manner that pleases Allah, recognizing that all blessings ultimately belong to Him.

When we encounter individuals in distress, it is our duty to extend help to the best of our ability with our financial resources. Let us not limit ourselves to just our friends and neighbours, but also donate to credible charities and assist our brothers and fellow citizens in need. As generosity, was also a hallmark of the Prophet's character. He was known for his readiness to share his blessings with others, to help those in need, and to extend his wealth and resources to the less fortunate.

Before I end, let me share with you a doa of the Prophet (s.a.w). Let us recite it with sincerity and humility, seeking Allah's guidance and blessings in all that we do.

اللَّهمَّ إنِّي أسألُكَ العفوَ والعافيةَ في ديني ودُنْيَايَ وأَهْلِي ومَالِي

Which means: “O Allah, I ask for Your forgiveness and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth.”

May Allah (s.w.t) grant us the strength and guidance to express gratitude for His blessings and protect us from misusing them. Ameen Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

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. 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.