Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
30 August 2024 / 25 Safar 1446H
Achieving Common Goodness
Dear blessed Friday congregants,
On this blessed Friday, let us renew our commitment to increase our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. One of the signs of taqwa is the consistent drive to grab any opportunity to do good deeds—deeds not limited to oneself but extended to all of Allah’s creation.
Dear beloved brothers,
Last week’s sermon mentioned some religious guidelines for living harmoniously in society, such as the prophetic advice that as Muslims, our behaviour should bring peace and tranquillity to others. This week, we are called to reflect on guidance from Surah Al-Mu’minun, verses 99-100:
Which means: "When death approaches one of them, they cry, ‘My Lord, let me return (to life). So, I may do good in what I left behind.’"
Though these verses are directed at those who deny and are ignorant towards Allah’s blessings, we can still draw valuable lessons from them. What is the key lesson here, my dear brothers? We must not be among those who miss the opportunity to do good deeds in this world, whether for our own benefit or the common good, only to feel regret when the doors of doing good deeds and making repentance have closed with the arrival of death. May Allah protect us from such fate!
Dear brothers,
Allow me to share some examples that we can use as guidance to achieve the common good:
Firstly: Desiring good for all.
Before the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was appointed as a prophet and messenger, he witnessed an agreement forged by the people of Jahiliyyah known as Hilf al-Fudul. This was an agreement to uphold justice and protect the weak within society.
Although this happened before the coming of Islam, the Prophet s.a.w. later praised this pact, saying which means: “I witnessed a pact in the house of Abdullah bin Jud’an that I would not trade for the finest camels. If I were called to it in Islam, I will surely accept it.” (Hadith narrated by Imam al-Baihaqi).
This, my brothers, is Islam as expressed by the words of the Prophet s.a.w. It is a religion that emphasises social justice, focuses on supporting the weak and needy, and does not overlook long-term benefits. We must be at the forefront in this arena because this is a sign of those who truly understand the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. We should always seek opportunities to engage in positive efforts to achieve the common good.
Let us not forget those in our community who need support. Some may require financial help, others may seek our advice and instruction, and there are those who simply want to be acknowledged. Observe the individuals around you—at home, in school, or at work. Extend your attention and assistance in whatever way you can. Such acts of kindness might be the reason for our own sustenance and peace in life. The Prophet s.a.w. once said:
هَلْ تُنْصَرُوْنَ وَتُرْزَقُوْنَ إِلاَّ بِضُعَفَائِكُمْ؟
Which means: “Is it not because of (the sincere prayers of) the weak among you that you are given assistance and sustenance?” (Hadith Muttafaq ‘alaih).
Secondly: Contributing to the common good in every field.
History has shown the many roles played by Muslim communities of the past. For example, during the Ming Dynasty in China, the Hui Muslim community was renowned for their expertise in trade. They were not only successful merchants but also contributed significantly to the economic success of the dynasty. This is yet another example of how the Muslim community has been active in contributing goodness to the welfare of all, becoming an important part of society wherever they may be.
Let us move forward together, spreading goodness and benefit to everyone. May every good deed we do be rewarded with goodness, as Allah decreed:
Which means: "Is there any reward for goodness except goodness?" (Surah Ar-Rahman, verse 60).
Let us raise our hands, to ask Allah for the opportunity to do good as long as we live.
Ya Allah, Ya Fattah, Ya ‘Alim, we ask for Your guidance and mercy. Lead us to the path that pleases You. Bless our efforts in spreading goodness to our community and all of humanity. Ya Jalil, Ya Karim, protect us from selfishness and grant us hearts that are generous and loving. Ya Wadud, Ya Majid, bless our families, our community, and all Your servants. Keep us steadfast in faith and shower us with Your mercy. Amin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم.
Second Sermon
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. اللَّهُمَّ 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.
