Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
22 March 2024 / 11 Ramadan 1445H
Blessings in the month of Ramadan
My blessed Friday congregants,
Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. by obeying all His commands, and by refraining from all that He has forbidden. May Allah s.w.t. continue to nurture our taqwa because of the act of fasting that we observe throughout this Ramadan. Amin.
My beloved brothers and sisters,
Al-Qur’an recounts the story of Bani Israel under the guidance of Prophet Musa a.s., describing a significant fault they made by worshipping a cow in his absence. Consequently, Allah s.w.t. decreed a severe punishment, including the death penalty for those who engaged in the act of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Prophet Musa a.s., then led seventy of them to a place designated by Allah s.w.t. seeking repentance. However, during their journey, the earth shook as a warning and reminder from Allah s.w.t. This event caused anxiety in the heart of Prophet Musa, leading him to pray for the forgiveness and mercy of Allah s.w.t. One of Prophet Musa's supplications is recorded in verse 156 of Surah al-A'raf:
Which means: “O Allah, inscribe for us goodness in this life and in the hereafter. Indeed, we have turned to You. Allah replied, “I will inflict My punishment on whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses everything. I will specify it for those who act righteously and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our revelations.”
Brothers and sisters, despite the extent of Allah's anger towards the wrongdoing of Bani Israel, and the severity of the warning issued to them, Allah remains the Most Forgiving.
Allah s.w.t. affirms that with His justice, there will be a punishment inflicted upon those whom He wills. However, His forgiveness and compassion are far more extensive than His anger. Believe that the mercy and love of Allah encompass everything.
Thus, this is also our hope as the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., especially during this month of Ramadan. While we still bring with us mountains of sins and wrongdoings, Ramadan returns with Allah’s infinite mercy and forgiveness. This ummah is taught not to despair. If we humble ourselves to seek His forgiveness, Allah s.w.t. will erase our faults and sins. This is among the achievements of fasting in Ramadan that we hope for, as mentioned by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إيمَانًا واحْتِسابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مٓا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Which means: "Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan with full of faith and hope, his past sins will be forgiven." (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).
Let’s strive for the mercy of Allah, my dear brothers and sisters. Let’s always maintain good thoughts of Allah. At the same time, let us strive earnestly to do what Allah demands, to receive His abundant mercy. What is that mercy? Let us once again pay attention to the mentioned verse 156 of Surah al-A'raf, where Allah s.w.t. affirms that His mercy is bestowed upon those who 1) are mindful of Him, 2) give zakat, and 3) believe in the signs of Allah.
Insha Allah, our fasting will strengthen taqwa in our hearts, and thereby our relationship with Allah will be strengthened and invigorated. If we consider this verse carefully, it also contains the message that contributing to the well-being and development of society through zakat, is among the conditions for receiving the mercy of Allah. In other words, it is a reminder to Bani Israel, and to all of us, that maintaining a relationship with Allah through taqwa alone is not sufficient if the needs of the community are not taken care. This is why there are more than 20 verses in the Holy Qur’an where Allah s.w.t. combines the command to pray with the command to give zakat.
My blessed congregants,
Certainly, it is a commendable practice for most of our community to give zakat during the month of Ramadan, hoping for its blessings. Let us continue this noble practice, brothers and sisters. However, let us not give zakat merely to fulfill an obligation. Instead, let us experience the beauty of combining zakat with prayer, taqwa, and fasting, as a purifier of the soul that brings forth, the abundant mercy of Allah for us.
Let us make this Ramadan meaningful with fasting that nurtures taqwa in our hearts, and with a sense of care and empathy towards the needs of our community. May Allah s.w.t. cleanse our souls from the traits of stinginess, arrogance, self-centeredness, and ingratitude for the countless and immeasurable blessings bestowed upon us. Amin ya Rabbal Alamin.
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.
Blessed Friday congregation,
The humanitarian crisis in Palestine has yet to show any signs of conclusion. Those who are oppressed continue to live in fear and uncertainty amidst the solemnity of Ramadan. At the same time, they also yearn for the sympathy of the global community. Therefore, the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) has initiated a donation drive 'Ramadan Appeal for Gaza 2024' on Wednesday, 20thMarch. You can donate through the collection boxes in the mosques indicating the ‘Ramadan Collection for Gaza’. You can also contribute through online platforms such as PayNow, Interbank Transfer, and via cheque. Further information can be found on the website and social media of the Rahmatan Lil 'Alamin Foundation (RLAF).
Let us together extend our assistance to them and seize the opportunity of the blessed month of Ramadan to perform righteous deeds. Let us pray, while fasting during this Ramadan day, for Allah s.w.t. to alleviate their suffering and aid His servants there. 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 تَسْلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.
وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ المَهْدِيِّينَ سَادَاتِنَا 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، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ. اللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ 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 يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُم، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ.
