Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

23 February 2024 / 13 Syaaban 1445H

The Value of Rahmah in the Life of a Believer

My blessed Friday congregants,

Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all His orders and abstaining from all His prohibitions. May we be among those whom He loves. Amin. 

My beloved brothers and sisters,

Once, a Companion named Usamah bin Zaid said to our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.): "O Messenger of Allah, I have never seen you fast in any other month like you do in the month of Sha’ban. The Prophet (s.a.w.) replied:

ذلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ ، وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرفَعُ فِيْهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ ، فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عمَلِيْ وأَنَا صَائِمٌ.

Which means: "That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be raised while I am fasting." [Hadith narrated by Imam Al-Nasa’i].

This hadith encourages us to enhance our deeds and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.) during the month of Sha’ban. It is part of our preparations for the upcoming month of Ramadan. Let us seize this opportunity to renew our intentions, repent sincerely, strive to improve our relationship with Allah (s.w.t.) and strengthen our relationships with fellow human beings, as we approach the second half of Sha’ban.

Brothers and sisters,

In a hadith qudsi narrated by Abdul Rahman Bin Auf (r.a.), Allah (s.w.t.) said which means: "I am Allah. I am ‘ar-Rahman’ (the Most Merciful). I have created 'Rahim' (ties of kinship) and derived its name from My Name. Whoever maintains ties of kinship, I maintain ties with him, and whoever severs ties of kinship, I sever ties with him." [Hadith narrated by Imam Al-Tirmizi].

We might often hear that the Shari’ah is built upon several fundamental principles; one of which is the principle of ‘Rahmah’ (mercy). But what does ‘Rahmah’ means? As believers, we begin every day by saying “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim” before starting any matter or affair. Once again, let us reflect on the meanings of Rahman, Rahim, and Rahmah?

My beloved brothers and sisters, all these words share the same root word, and carry with them the meanings of mercy and compassion. This can be understood through the views of Imam Ibn 'Ashur on the Shar’iah, in his book al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir: He explained that the uniqueness of the Shar’iah lies in the value of mercy which extends to humanity in all circumstances, embracing all humankind, and not limited to any particular nation. The Shari’ah is based on the principles of mercy, gentleness, and ease.

This is in line with the words of Allah (s.w.t.) in Surah al-Nahl, verse 89:

Which means: “And remember the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves. And We will bring you, O Muhammad (s.a.w.), as a witness against these people [your nation]. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things, and as guidance and mercy and glad tidings for those who submit (to Allah).”

My beloved brothers and sisters,

Let us strive to maximise our deeds in this month of Sha’ban:

Firstly, let us sincerely repent to Allah (hablun minallah) for all our past sins. May Allah (s.w.t.) continue to bestow His countless blessings upon us.

Secondly, let us mend our relationships with fellow human beings (hablun minan nas), by seeking forgiveness from those we may have wronged, and extending forgiveness to those who have hurt us. Truly, this practice reflects the mercy within ourselves.

Lastly, let us maintain ties of kinship with family members, relatives, and friends. Where necessary, let us make an effort to reconcile with any family member or relative with whom we may have a dispute.

May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us the opportunity to welcome the upcoming month of Ramadan in good health, in peace, and under His protection and mercy. Amin ya Rahman. Amin ya Rahim. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin!

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، 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 تَسْلِيمًا. 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 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.