Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
27 September 2024 / 23 Rabiul Awal 1446H
A Reflection of Sunnah in Community Life
الحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ، الَّذِي بَعَثَ مُحَمَّدًا بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا، وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُنِيرًا، وَأَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّم عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ، صَلَاةً وَسَلَامًا دَائِمَيْنِ مُتَلَازِمَيْنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ اللهِ، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ، أُوصِي نَفْسِي وَإِيَّاكُم بِتَقوَى اللهِ، فَقَد فَازَ الـمُتَّقُونَ.
Fellow Muslims blessed by Allah,
Have taqwa and be mindful of Allah s.w.t. Increase our faith in Him by emulating the noble character and mannerisms of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. This is also known as the Sunnah, which serves as a guide and motivation for us to achieve true success in this world and in the hereafter. Ameen.
My dear brothers,
The sermons this month revolve around the life and personality of Rasulullah s.a.w. Today, the khutbah will conclude the month of Maulidurrasul by sharing the guidance of the Prophet s.a.w. in building a community of noble character.
Dear blessed congregation,
Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was not only a prophet and a messenger, but also a leader of his family and community. His influence extended beyond his role as a spiritual guide. He was a figure of unity, a leader with exemplary character and compassion, and an advocate for justice. Rasulullah s.a.w. exemplified a life of integrity, filled with sincere care and service to others. This is one of the interpretations of “mercy” contained in Allah's words:
Which means: "And We have not sent you (O Muhammad s.a.w.) except as a mercy to the worlds." (Surah Al-Anbiya’, verse 107)
This mercy is not limited to a particular group or race but encompasses all of Allah s.w.t.'s creations.
Dear blessed congregation,
In fostering positive social relationships, the Prophet s.a.w. advocated the importance of building a community that cooperates and works together in doing good. Consider the words of Rasulullah s.a.w., which mean: “Whoever has surplus provision (food), let him give to those who have none.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim).
Rasulullah s.a.w. reminds us that as members of the community, we must support and motivate each other. A successful community requires collective effort, where everyone supports one another. Each of us has an important role in building a better society. By working together and sharing our strengths, we contribute to the formation of a resilient and compassionate society. Every positive initiative we take is significant in creating a community that reflects our values and aspirations, in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
In light of this, it is appropriate for us to ask ourselves the following questions as a reflection of our faith: When was the last time we cooperated in doing good with those around us? And if such an effort has been made, perhaps it is also worth asking whether we have encouraged our family members and friends to do the same. If the answer is also “Yes”, alhamdulillah! For we have demonstrated the spirit of cooperation in accordance with the Sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w.
My dear brothers,
Allow me to share three (3) guidelines from the Sunnah in relation to today's khutbah topic, 'The Reflection of Sunnah in Community Life':
Firstly: The noble character of Rasulullah s.a.w. should be our guide in life. We must demonstrate good examples. Our behaviour should reflect the true teachings of Islam, for indeed, the best form of da'wah is through our character and conduct.
While we remain firm and steadfast in our principles, we should be gentle, considerate, and patient when dealing with everyone, regardless of race, age, or religion. We, the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., should be an inspiration for positivity. Negative behaviors in social interactions, such as belittling or undermining others, are not our way and are not the way of the believers.
A companion of the Prophet named Abu Musa al-Ash'ari r.a. narrated that the Prophet s.a.w. used to advise his companions when sending them on missions, saying: "Give good news and do not repel people (from the religion). Make things easy, and do not make things difficult." (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim).
Secondly: Cultivating a culture of mutual respect and cooperation. As Muslims, we are at the forefront of promoting societal values that align with the Sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w.
Rasulullah s.a.w. was known for his concern for the lives of others. During his youth, he participated in community efforts to defend the oppressed and wronged. The Prophet s.a.w. also constantly reminded that all humans are equal in the sight of Allah, except those who are pious.
My dear brothers,
Lastly: Embracing our role as the Ummah of Rasulullah s.a.w. Every word we utter and every action we take reflect how well we understand and embody the teachings of Islam. Therefore, let us, with humility and self-awareness, work together to build a community that truly reflects the teachings of Islam.
A Muslim does not merely fulfil his spiritual obligations. He lives his life without isolating himself from society. In fact, he also becomes an example and source of inspiration for everyone. He contributes to the development of the community, especially to those entangled in poverty, by providing moral and psychological support or financial assistance. Hopefully, such efforts can ease the burdens of the challenges of life today.
Dear blessed congregation,
As a closing, and in conjunction with the month of Maulidurrasul, I end today’s sermon with a hadith that reflects the love and mercy of Rasulullah s.a.w. towards us. This hadith is narrated by Imam Ibn Hibban. Sayyidatina Aisha r.a. once heard the Prophet s.a.w. supplicate: “O Allah, forgive Aisha for all her past and future sins, the ones she committed openly and secretly, the major ones and the minor ones.” Hearing this prayer, Sayyidatina Aisha r.a. felt extremely happy. The Prophet s.a.w. then said: “Are you pleased to hear my supplication, O Aisha? Know that this is my supplication for my Ummah in every prayer.”
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.
