Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
10 February 2023 / 19 Rejab 1444H
Facing Trials in Life
My beloved fellow brothers and sisters,
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all His orders, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions in times of hardship and ease. May our taqwa become the reason for us to gain the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.).
Ma’asyiral muslimin rahimakumullah,
The trials that we face in life are governed by Allah’s supreme wisdom in dealing with His creation. There are those who are tested by wealth and luxury which may seem advantageous, but it can lead to a disregard of others, arrogance, pride, and a sense of self-satisfaction and self-praise. This is as described by Allah (s.w.t.) in the Qur’an:
Which means: “As for man, when his Lord tries him by giving him honour and blessings, he will say: ‘My Lord has honoured me!’” [Al-Fajr:15]
And then there are others who are tested by hardship in its various forms - loss of life or loved ones, illnesses, poverty, and so on. Such adversities may lead to the feelings of sadness, failure, and despair. Observe the following words of Allah (s.w.t.).
Which means: “But when his Lord tests him by limiting his provision, he then says, ‘My Lord has humiliated me!’” [Al-Fajr:16]
My brothers and sisters, let us not be easily deceived by the various circumstances of life, either during times of ease or hardship. This is because both ease and difficulty are tests. In life, no situation is permanent for mankind. Everything will end eventually.
However, what remains are the good deeds and charitable contributions that we make, because they leave a great and lasting impact. As Allah (s.w.t.) says:
Which means: “Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are far better to your Lord, in reward and in hope.” [Al-Kahf:46]
Brothers and sisters,
We have witnessed many tests and challenges whether upon us or others. This world is a stage that showcases the attitude and character of its actors, during easy and difficult times. We often witness various forms of disaster and misery. This week alone, we have witnessed with sadness the devastation in Turkey and Syria, which were hit by a severe earthquake disaster. So many lives were lost. In the blink of an eye, a child becomes an orphan, a wife becomes a widow, property is destroyed. Such is the fate and power of Allah that our situation can instantly change without us realizing it. For those of us who are only able to see the situation from afar, our instincts as human beings awaken a sense of kindness in us to help those who are affected.
InshaAllah, there will be suitable opportunities for us to help ease their pain through donations, and especially through our sincere prayers.
In addition to praying for our brothers and sisters who are facing hardship, we can also help them through making monetary donations. Do make sure that our donations are channeled to official and registered bodies that are licensed to collect such funds. This is to ensure that those funds reach the right beneficiaries.
My blessed brothers and sisters, the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) is conducting a donation drive to support humanitarian relief efforts in response to the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria. The earthquake has resulted in the loss of more than 12,000 lives and over 30,000 people injured. More than 5,000 buildings have also been reported damaged or collapsed. The winter weather has also worsened conditions for survivors who are left homeless or in the open under cold weather for fear of secondary earthquake effects.
Your generous contributions will support in disaster relief efforts and the immediate needs of those affected.
You may donate via donation boxes in this mosque which indicate collection for earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
You may also make donations online. More information can be found on the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) website and social media.
My brothers and sisters,
Another aspect that the world is still dealing with is war, injustice, and feelings of hatred amongst mankind. In certain situations, any feeling of respect between different religious and cultural groups is lost.
In this situation, we need to rely on our religious teachings and values. What is our attitude as believers, when faced with unpleasant situations? Are we going to add to the difficulties and contribute to the ugliness? Or do we try to spark the light of goodness, by working on improving relationships between people, and sowing mercy and kindness amongst all?
If there are those who have lost their humanity to the extent of insulting other people's religions, burn holy books, as believers, we should not react in the same way. Our role is to adorn ourselves with the teachings of the Quran. Let us be the embodiment of the Qur’an that walks on the face of the Earth and upholds its teachings with every breath we take.
Such are the teachings and attitude of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) in all situations – whether he is in a difficult and oppressed state, or when he is joyful and in power. He never chose the path of hatred, cruelty, or violence. On the other hand, our Prophet (s.a.w.) told us to remain steadfast on the foundation of mercy, kindness, and goodness.
My brothers and sisters, let us reflect upon ourselves and strive to improve our efforts in generating mercy and kindness
May we continue to be guided by the teachings and the sunnah of our Prophet (s.a.w.) in our every movement and behaviour. Ameen.
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.
