Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

19 March 2021 / 5 Syaaban 1442H

Religion Brings One Closer to Allah

My brothers, 

Let us continue to nurture taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) by fulfilling all His commands and leaving all His prohibitions. May our efforts in doing so bring us closer to Allah (s.w.t.). Amin.

Brothers,

For the past weeks, the Friday sermon has been placing emphasis on how our religion is never separated from the realities of our daily lives. Islam is a religion that aims to ensure that when its followers commit themselves to practising it, they do not become individuals who lose their humanity.

The following words of Allah (s.w.t.) from Surah al-Maun verses 1-7 contain a very interesting point to take note of:

Meaning: “Have you considered the person who denies the religion? It is he who pushes aside the orphan, and does not encourage others to feed the needy. So woe to those who pray, but are heedless of their prayer; those who only show off (their deeds) and refuse to give (even the simplest) aid.”

Let us observe how Allah describes people who deny the religion. He does not describe them as those who deny the existence of Allah, nor those who challenge the teachings of Allah and His Prophet.

Instead, the characteristics of people who deny the religion are those who oppress others or abuse the orphans. They ignore the plights of those in need and even refuse to give even the smallest help to others. These show us that it is impossible for a person of faith to do things that would harm and hurt others. Our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) also reminded us: “Know that whosoever tells lies, he is not from among us.” (Hadith reported by Imam Muslim).

Brothers,

This is a reminder that our religion emphasizes the aspect of humanity in the practice of its teachings. Our religion teaches us not to hurt others, while we are being selfish and prioritize our comfort. This is not part of our religion.

Let us look at one example. Alhamdulillah, we have been able to perform our prayers at mosques by registering through the online booking system. Prayer spaces have also been increased over time. Unfortunately, there have been instances where some individuals misused the system as they wanted to perform Friday prayers more often or for consecutive weeks.

Brothers, such actions are implying that these individuals are not concerned about other congregants who might not have had the chance to pray at the mosques. How do we seek forgiveness from Allah if sour actions go against the ethics of His religion?

Even though the intention to perform prayers at mosques is a noble act, the result cannot justify the means. The teachings of Islam encourage good in all aspects of life, which includes our willingness to share goodness with others.

Brothers,

Remember that the opportunity to continue performing acts of worships together in the houses of Allah is a huge blessing – one that should not be taken lightly. We do not want the sincerity of our good deeds to be tainted with selfishness as we take the rights and chances of others.

When we are not able to secure our slots in the mosque, remember that one of our own brothers will be able to do so in that very slot that you wanted.

Therefore, let us share the goodness with others. Let us be grateful for this blessing as Allah (s.w.t.) will grant us more blessings. This is the symbol of our gratitude. It is in line with Allah’s words in Surah Ibrahim verse 7:

Meaning: “And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’”

Brothers,

Alhamdulillah, we have just entered the blessed month of Syaaban. It signals the coming of Ramadan. So, what are the steps that we have taken to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the holiest month? Are we ready to meet Ramadan?

I would like to invite all of us to start now. Let us inculcate the spirit of increasing our acts of worship and good deeds within ourselves and our family. Whether we perform these acts at the mosques, or at home with our families. Let us share the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us, with the people around us. In this month of Syaaban, let us recite the prayer that I will be sharing with you shortly. May Allah bless us during this month of Syaaban and grant us the opportunity to meet Ramadan. The prayer is:

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ شَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ

Meaning: “O Allah, bless us in Syaaban, and let us reach Ramadan.”

May Allah (s.w.t.) continue to give us opportunities to share His blessings with the people around us and may Allah (s.w.t.) be content and love us for all our efforts in doing so. Amin. Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

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

 

 

Second Sermon

الْحَمْدُ 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 الْعَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا. 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 لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، الْأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالْأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا الْبَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالْمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ الْبُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ، وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُمْ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ  يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ.