Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
9 December 2022 / 14 Jamadilawal 1444H
Manifesting Mercy and Love To Our Family
Brothers and Sisters blessed by Allah,
Let us increase our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by doing good deeds for our family members. May Allah (s.w.t.) reward us for our good deeds and place us among his righteous servants. Amin.
Brothers and Sisters,
The creation of spouses is one of the signs of His greatness. Allah (s.w.t.) decreed in Surah Ar-Rum, verse 21:
Which means: “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”
As mentioned in the verse earlier, to achieve peace and tranquility in marital life, it requires two fundamental values. The first is love, while the second is mercy.
Allow me to begin by sharing a beautiful story that we can benefit from. The story is in relation to the household of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), as narrated in a hadith, Al-Aswad bin Yazid said:
سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ مَا كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَصْنَعُ فِي بَيْتِهِ ؟ قَالَتْ: كَانَ يَكُونُ فِي مِهْنَةِ أَهْلِهِ - تَعْنِي خِدْمَةَ أَهْلِهِ - فَإِذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ خَرَجَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ
Which means: “I asked Aisyah (r.a.) “What did the Prophet (s.a.w.) do in his home? Aishah replied, “The Prophet was always at the service of his household, and when it was time for prayer, he would leave to pray.” (Hadith narrated by Imam al-Bukhari)
Such is the life of our Prophet (s.a.w.). No matter how busy he was, he would still allocate enough time for his family members.
Brothers and Sisters,
In discussing about household matters, I would like to emphasise on one important aspect, especially when we are faced with challenges in our marriage.
Marriage is a lifelong journey we embark together with our spouse. At times, life will throw us challenges. We may face financial difficulties, or perhaps problems in relation to our children’s education, and many more.
In that particular moment, it might be difficult for one to manifest love and mercy. My dear brothers and sisters, when we are faced with trials, it is crucial for us to remain steadfast to our religious guidance. This is because the bond of marriage between the husband and wife is a sacred union before Allah (s.w.t.).
Islam teaches us that both husband and wife complement one another, and thus we should never expect perfection from each other. How can we when we ourselves are full of flaws? Here, our fortitude is tested. So are our heart and character, as well as our patience and willingness to forgive others, just like how we would like others to be patient and forgiving towards us.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us reflect how Allah (s.w.t.) teaches us that we should not forget the goodness of our partner even when facing conflicts in our household. Allah decreed, “And do not forget kindness among yourselves. Surely, Allah is All-Seeing to what you do.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 237)
The wisdom behind it is to encourage each believer to look at challenges in a positive way. A positive mindset can lead to positive outcome, and with a proper plan, he will surely find a way out, inshaAllah.
Brothers and sisters,
Today, the challenges in a household come in many different forms – such as raising children, and so on. At the same time, more wives are also working and contributing to the family household nowadays. They are also busy working while ensuring that all family needs are fulfilled.
This is indeed an important and valuable contribution for the community. My dear brothers, it is important to understand that the household responsibilites must be equally shared, especially when the wife is working. It is crucial to support and assist one another in managing the household such as raising the children, monitoring their education, and many more.
Therefore, this requires discussion and mutual understanding from both parties.
May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us families that are blessed with love and mercy, which fulfil the needs of our iman, taqwa, and character. Amin 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.
