Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

15 March 2024 / 4 Ramadan 1445H

Spiritual Strength During 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 abstaining all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) increase our taqwa because of the fasting that we observe throughout Ramadan. Amin.

Brothers and sisters,

Allah (s.w.t.) created this world to be beautiful and enchanting. Immensely alluring and attractive to humankind at all time, to the extent that many forget the true nature and purpose of life.

But fortunate indeed are those chosen to have faith in their hearts. This is because our religion has put into place many routines and practices that help to keep us on the straight path, amidst all the enticements of this deceitful world that we live in.

An example is fasting, as installed by Allah (s.w.t.), which recurs every year. During this Ramadan season, we can truly feel the magnitude of Allah's gift to us. Allah (s.w.t.) wants us to feel hunger throughout the day, and Allah (s.w.t.) wants us to feel the agony of thirst from dawn until sunset. This is not to torture us, as presumed by those who lack understanding. Rather, Allah (s.w.t.) wants us to become His servants who possess strength, have firmness of purpose, and who feel spiritually vibrant in any circumstance. 

This is so that, at the end of Ramadan, when the world reemerges with all its temptations, we as believers will not lose our resolve easily, and succumb to our unbridled desires. For those who fast, Allah (s.w.t.) grants them taqwa that fortifies their bodies and souls. As Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur’an:

Which means: "O you who have believed, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was for those before you, so that you may be mindful of Allah." [Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183]

At this juncture, perhaps some of us may be wondering, "What is the connection between abstaining from food and drink, and taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.)?".

My beloved brothers and sisters,

The Madrasah of Ramadan is prescribed by Allah (s.w.t.) to teach us to control our desires. In religious terms, this is called PATIENCE.

A Muslim who has the inner strength to manage and control their desires well usually enjoys success in life. That is the formula for a student's excellence, the secret of a leader's success, a merchant's, a worker's, and anybody else's success. Conversely, someone who lacks determination, to the extent of being willing to do anything just to satisfy their desires, usually faces failure in achieving their aspirations.

And so it is also for those who seek Allah's pleasure, and dream of eternal happiness in the Hereafter. They must nurture PATIENCE within themselves through the practice of fasting as installed by Allah (s.w.t.), especially during the month of Ramadan, every year. As our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said:

الصَّومُ نِصْفُ الصَّبرِ، وَالطُهُورُ نِصْفُ الإِيمَانِ

Which means: "Fasting is half of patience, and that patience is half of faith."[Hadith narrated by Tirmizi].

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, strive to ensure that this fast truly rejuvenates the patience within you. We do this by curbing our desires, so that our wants align with our abilities and needs. Let us not falter when faced with the infinite desires of our egos, to the point where those desires rule our minds and dominate our hearts.

Be mindful with our appetite when the time comes for us to break our fast. Ensure that our fasting is not in vain, with the minor discomfort of hunger and thirst throughout the day being followed by excessive indulgence when the sun sets.

Likewise, we should restrain our desire to spend, especially in preparation for the upcoming festivities. Let us not overspend to the point of wastefulness, especially if it reaches the level of spending beyond our means.

Additionally, practicing thriftiness is also a religious command. For example, as believers, we are urged to be economical in the use of natural resources like water, electricity, and so forth, even for purposes of worship. Remember, Allah's words affirm that the wasteful are the brethren of the devils.

However, if this is our habit, how can our desires be conquered and tamed? How can we succeed in becoming resilient and patient individuals when faced with various challenges throughout our lives? Pay attention, my brothers and sisters, to what Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah Al-Nahl, verse 96:

Which means: "Whatever you have will end, but what is with Allah is everlasting. And We will surely reward the steadfast according to the best of their deeds." 

May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us the ability to fulfil our fast according to its purpose and goals. May Allah (s.w.t.) bestow His mercy and peace upon all Muslims. 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. 

 

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، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين. 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 يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.