Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
6 September 2024 / 2 Rabiul Awal 1446H
A Reflection of Sunnah in Family life
Dear blessed Friday congregation,
I remind myself and everyone present to increase our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. Let us refine our daily practices with the guidance of the Quran. Let us emulate the practice of taqwa through the life of Rasulullah s.a.w., especially in matters related to family life.
My dear brothers,
Today is the 2nd of Rabiul Awal 1446H. Throughout this month, the Friday sermon will invite the audience to reflect on the life of Rasulullah s.a.w. from various perspectives, as his life truly serves as an example for us all. Allah s.w.t. states in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 21:
Which means: “Indeed, you have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah, for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.”
Indeed, there are numerous good examples that we can draw from the sirah of Rasulullah s.a.w. Today, let us focus on emulating his sunnah in family interactions, as there are many indicators which show his love and mercy illuminating his family.
My dear brothers,
Allow me to share three aspects of Rasulullah’s life which we can apply within our families:
First: Rasulullah s.a.w.’s affection towards his family. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. not only treated his family well but also showed sincere affection in all situations. Sayyidatina Aisyah r.a. narrated: “Rasulullah s.a.w. would recline on my lap when I was in state of menses, and he would recite the Quran.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).
This hadith demonstrates how Rasulullah s.a.w. was affectionate towards his wife, and his affection persisted even when his wife was unable to perform acts of worship. Rasulullah s.a.w. would still involve her and provide her his attention. This is a beautiful depiction of love between husband and wife, who support and complement each other in life. For those who are husbands, this is our call to embody the sunnah of the Prophet and be an exemplary partner.
Second: Mercy and gentleness. Rasulullah s.a.w. was known for his mercy and gentleness, especially towards the young. He did not get angry or quick to judge when faced with a situation. Instead, he always embodied the character of mercy.
A companion named Anas ibn Malik r.a. was entrusted by his mother to serve Rasulullah s.a.w. at the tender age of ten. Upon reaching adulthood, he recalled, “I served Rasulullah s.a.w. for ten years. He never once said to me, ‘Uff’ (as an expression of displeasure), nor did he ever question something I did by saying, ‘Why did you do that?’ or something I did not do by saying, ‘Why didn’t you do that?’” (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).
Once again, Rasulullah s.a.w. demonstrated how to nurture mercy and gentleness within the family, even towards a young servant. We should strive to treat our families well. Give them our trust, nurture their self-confidence, and do not let emotions and haste cloud our judgment. For the fathers, elders, and seniors amongst us, this is our reminder to be a role model for the younger generation.
Third: Respecting the elderly. Rasulullah s.a.w. became an orphan at six years old. He greatly valued the love and care of the extended family members who raised him, including his uncle Abu Talib, who greatly supported him. Even though Abu Talib himself did not declare the shahadah until his passing, Rasulullah s.a.w. never allowed that to be a reason to raise his voice, protest, or prevent him from respecting his dear uncle.
Clearly, the attitude demonstrated by Rasulullah s.a.w. aligns with his hadith which means: “Whoever does good to you, repay them in kind.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud). For the younger generation, this is our reminder to show respect to our elders. Set aside our pride and ego in times of disagreement and look at them with respect and compassion.
Dear blessed congregation,
Rasulullah s.a.w. has shown us that the family is a source of motivation for us to continue striving for Allah’s pleasure. May every act of goodness we do for our families be a small step in fulfilling the sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w.
In conjunction with the month of Maulidurrasul, the minbar will conclude this sermon with a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad for our reflection. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said:
“It will be said to the reciters of the Qur'an (on the Day of Judgment): ‘Recite the Qur'an and keep ascending (through the levels of Paradise), and beautify your recitation as you used to beautify it in the worldly life. Indeed, your position (in the Hereafter) will be based on the last verse that you recite.”
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.
