Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

4 November 2022 / 9 Rabiulakhir 1444H

Supplication of Prophet Yunus (a.s) : Ethics of Calling Upon Allah (s.w.t)

 

Brothers and sisters blessed by Allah (s.w.t.),

Let us increase our taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) by following all His commands and staying away from all His prohibitions. May we be placed among His pious servants. Amin.

Brothers and sisters,

As servants of Allah, we are in constant need of His help. Surely, we have aspirations that we hope will be fulfilled by Allah. But how do we ask Allah to fulfil our hopes and needs? What are the ethics and manners of supplicating to Allah? 

The Friday sermons for this month will focus on the importance of making supplications. Together, we will reflect upon the meaning and wisdom in the various supplications made by the Prophets (a.s.) as mentioned in the Quran. May these examples guide us on the various prayers we can and should make moving forward.

Brothers and sisters,

Allah (s.w.t.) decreed in surah Al-Anbiya’, verse 87:

 

Which means: “And remember when the Man of the Whale stormed off from his city in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then in the veils of darkness he cried out, “There is no god worthy of worship except You. Glory be to You! I have certainly done wrong.”

This verse tells the story of Prophet Yunus (a.s.) who did not lose an ounce of hope in the mercy of Allah (s.w.t.) despite being trapped in the belly of a whale. Indeed, Prophet Yunus (a.s.) remained optimistic that Allah (s.w.t.) will save him, and he continued praising and putting his trust in Allah (s.w.t.). This is a good example that we must strive to follow when making supplications. 

 

My dear brothers and sisters,

Let us reflect upon how Prophet Yunus (a.s.) supplicated to Allah (s.w.t.) with so much humility towards our Creator. In his supplications, Prophet Yunus continued to praise the oneness and majesty of Allah (s.w.t.), while acknowledging his own flaws and weaknesses. The supplication was accepted by Allah (s.w.t) and he was finally taken out from the belly of the whale.

 

My dear brothers and sisters,

Allah (s.w.t.) is ever-ready to accept our supplications. However, there are certain guidelines that we should strive to abide by, like how Prophet Yunus (a.s.) supplicated with humility, while maintaining a positive perception of Allah (s.w.t.). These two things are crucial and must be observed when making supplications. This is based upon the hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad,

عَنْ أَنَسٍ‏:‏ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَدَعَا رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ‏:‏ يَا بَدِيعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ، إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ‏:‏ أَتَدْرُونَ بِمَا دَعَا‏؟‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، دَعَا اللَّهَ بِاسْمِهِ الَّذِي إِذَا دُعِيَ بِهِ أَجَابَ‏.‏

Which means: “Anas narrated: I was with the Prophet (s.a.w.) when a person supplicated: “O Creator of the Sky and Earth, O the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining, verily I plead!” The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Do you know with what he has supplicated? With my soul that is held in His Hand, he has supplicated to Allah by uttering His names that when mentioned, will surely be accepted by Him.”

Let us reflect upon how the Prophet (s.a.w.) began his supplications with the divine names of Allah (s.w.t.), while praising and expressing servitude to the Creator.

Upon expressing one’s humility, it is equally important for us to maintain a positive perception of Allah (s.w.t.). This is because there is no supplication that goes unheard by Allah, as He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing.

However, it is important to remember that whether a supplication is granted or otherwise, it is based on the decree of Allah, which contains wisdom and goodness. When Allah gives, it is a goodness. When a blessing is withheld momentarily, or when we are tested, there is goodness as well.

 

Let us continue making supplications and relying upon Allah (s.w.t.) by uttering His infinite names. May Allah accept our prayers and supplications. Amin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، 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.

Brothers and sisters,

As we supplicate to Allah (s.w.t.) for our needs to be granted, we must also strive to help those in need. Perhaps with our assistance, it will be a reason for Allah to fulfil our supplications. For example, helping those who are ill and in need of help.

This month, the “Bone Marrow Donor Programme” will be organizing a nation-wide campaign named “Match for Life”. The purpose is to raise awareness about bone marrow donation and to advocate for more bone marrow donors.

Bone marrow donation is needed for those who are facing blood-related illnesses, when the bone marrow has ceased to function. For some, this can be life-threatening. Therefore, bone marrow transplant is a way to preserve a person’s life and health.

What are the ways we can do to help?

If we are unable to donate, what we can do is to at least participate in these programs and spread information, as well as giving moral support to others. Hopefully, with the assistance that we extend to others, Allah will grant our supplications. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

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 وَبَارِكْ 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.