Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
8 March 2024 / 27 Syaaban 1445H
The Bliss 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 from all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us all the opportunity to meet the noble month of Ramadan soon. Amin.
Dear congregants,
All praise be to Allah (s.w.t.) who, with His mercy, has granted us the month of Ramadan, a month filled with opportunities for reward and forgiveness, a month that was not bestowed upon previous nations. Let us take note of the words of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), who said:
إِنَّ للهِ عُتَقَاءَ فِي كُلِّ يَومٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ، لكلِّ عبد مِنهُم دَعْوَةٌ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ
Which means: "Indeed, Allah has His servants who will be freed (from the Hellfire) every day and night (during Ramadan), verily for every servant among them, there is a supplication that will be answered." [Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad].
This hadith serves as a motivation for us to establish sincere intentions when performing good deeds, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan. Let us instil within ourselves the determination to make this Ramadan more beneficial than the previous ones. Let us meticulously plan for the month so that we do not miss out on receiving the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (s.w.t.).
Brothers and sisters,
As we prepare ourselves for Ramadan, let us pause and reflect on our sincerity in performing our worship. This is one of the methods of self-reflection that can help us in maintaining steadfastness and sincerity in our devotion to Allah (s.w.t.). We should also contemplate what we aim to achieve this Ramadan: true repentance, enlightenment, or reward?
And if we were to broaden the scope of our self-reflection, we can then perhaps ask ourselves: How can we implement positive changes in our lives and those around us? How can we support our family members in preparing for Ramadan? In fact, brothers and sisters, there are several areas to consider in this regard, such as ensuring we meet our dietary requirements, addressing medical concerns, or sharing Islamic guidances on fasting, among others.
My beloved congregants,
As we eagerly await the arrival of Ramadan, let us strive to seek guidance from qualified religious scholars regarding the guidelines and practices of performing worship throughout the month of Ramadan. For those facing specific situations or challenges, such as dealing with illnesses that require treatment or medication during the day, or managing challenging work duties, please seek advice from those who are knowledgable.
May our worship be carried out with ease, in accordance with our health and ability. This is a sign of our sincerity in seeking the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). Let us contemplate the words of Allah (s.w.t.) in Surah al-Ankabut, verse 69:
Which means: "As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with those who do good."
Brothers and sisters,
Let us plan our worship diligently, so that we may fully acquire the sweetness of Ramadan. Clear intentions and organised planning form the main foundations for achieving a more meaningful and productive Ramadan.
Lastly, let us all sincerely uphold our intentions, seek intermediation (tawassul) from Allah (s.w.t.) through our righteous deeds, and beg for His mercy, compassion, and power, so that our brothers and sisters in Palestine in particular, and in the Middle East in general, may find a way out of the ongoing conflict and oppression. Ya Allah Ya Latiff Ya Qadir, please help Your servants there, soften the hearts that have hardened, instil the lost values of humanity in those who often neglect Your power, and restore lasting peace to them.
May Allah (s.w.t.) accept our sincerity in deeds and prayers, and forgive all our sins. 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.
