Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
20 September 2024 / 16 Rabiul Awal 1446H
A Reflection of Sunnah in Achieving Excellence
Dear blessed Friday congregation,
Have taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. Increase our knowledge and perfect our deeds. Let us make the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. our guide in achieving an excellent life. May Allah make us among His successful servants in this world and the hereafter. Amin.
My beloved brothers,
Today's sermon will focus on the Prophet's Sunnah in achieving excellence, both in this world and the hereafter. Before that, let me recite a verse from Surah At-Taubah, verse 128:
Which means: "There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful."
The Prophet showed his concern for us, the last generation, whom he never met, through various life guidelines. Among the legacies he left is guidance on pursuing excellence in everything we do, whether in our work, studies, or daily affairs with family and those around us.
My brothers and sisters,
The books of Shama’il Muhammadiyah narrate that when the Prophet s.a.w. spoke, he gave full attention and turned his body towards the listener. When speaking, he spoke clearly, word by word, even repeating if necessary, so that those listening could easily remember his words. This demonstrates his excellence in the art of communication.
Respected congregation,
Allow me to propose two suggestions for your consideration:
Firstly, evaluate and improve the quality of life. Take practical steps by making daily assessments: How can we improve our worship today? Or how can we work more efficiently tomorrow? For students, how can you prepare more effectively for upcoming exams?
Try to set a small, achievable goal each day, whether in our worship, at work, school, or our interpersonal relationships. This aligns with Islamic teachings that emphasise continuous self-improvement. Start with easy good habits, such as increasing our recitation of the Quran daily, frequently asking for Allah's help outside prayer times, or actively and consistently maintaining health to stay away from illness.
Secondly, recognise and improve our weaknesses. Accepting shortcomings and mistakes is a positive step towards excellence. When we make mistakes, quickly repent, make amends, and improve ourselves. Practice accepting constructive criticism with an open heart. For example, if we lack patience in our interactions with others, strive to improve by listening first before responding. Sacrifice our ego, accept our mistakes, and strive to improve by overcoming our weaknesses. When we feel prepared, ask family or friends for feedback on our attitudes or actions so we can see areas for improvement.
In this regard, let us reflect on the Prophet's hadith:
كُلُّ ابْنِ آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ، وَخَيْرُ الخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ
Which means: "Every son of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent." (Hadith narrated by Imam At-Tirmizi).
Respected congregation,
Let us compete in manifesting our excellence in our relationship with Allah and with fellow humans. Today, we have the opportunity to do so specifically for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. The Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), in collaboration with mosques across Singapore, is conducting a donation drive to support humanitarian aid efforts for the people of Gaza. Let's take this opportunity to contribute to this humanitarian aid fund.
In conclusion, and in conjunction with the month of Mawlid, the month of love for the Prophet, I end today's sermon with a hadith narrated by Imam Ibn Hibban. The mother of all believers, Aisha r.a. once heard the Prophet's prayer: "O Allah, forgive Aisha for all her past and future sins, those committed openly or in secret, big or small." Hearing this prayer, Aisha r.a. felt very happy. The Prophet s.a.w. then said, "Are you pleased to hear my prayer, O Aisha? Know that this is my supplication for my ummah in every salah."
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 تَسْلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.
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. اَللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبِ السِّلْمَ وَالسَّلاَمَ وَالأَمْنَ وَالأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ كُلِّهِ وَلِلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ. 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.
