Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
19 January 2024 / 7 Rejab 1445H
Appreciating the Objectives of Islamic Law (Shari’ah)
My blessed Friday congregants,
Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all His commands, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May Allah bless us with a clear understanding of the religion and accept all our deeds in this blessed month of Rejab. Amin.
My beloved fellow Muslims,
In recent weeks, we have been reminded of the importance of knowledge. It is knowledge that familiarises us with Islam. It is knowledge that enables us to appreciate the beauty of Islamic teachings and laws. Through this knowledge, we discover the implicit objectives emphasised in the Shari’ah and our religious laws. Keep in mind that the Shariah aims to preserve human wellbeing. As Allah (s.w.t.) says:
Which means: “Allah does not wish to burden you, but He wishes to purify you and complete His favour upon you, so that you may be grateful.” [Surah Al-Maidah, verse 6].
This verse clearly shows that the Shar’iah prioritises the overall wellbeing of humankind. Furthermore, if we reflect upon and truly comprehend the verses that constitute laws in the Qur'an and the hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w.), we will definitely understand the wisdom behind these verses or hadiths. Let us contemplate the objectives behind the prohibition of khamr (wine) and gambling in Islam. Allah (s.w.t.) reminds us:
Which means: “Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist??” [Surah Al-Maidah, verse 91].
Observe how the Shari’ah, through the prohibition of khamr (wine) and gambling, aims to protect our mental and social wellbeing. The Shari’ah is not limited to simply looking after our spiritual needs. In fact, it underscores the significance of various aspects of life, including fostering positive relationships with others.
Brothers and sisters,
This reflects the beauty of the Shari’ah - it was established to preserve human interests. Imam Al-Juwayni, a scholar of the Shafi'i school, in his book Al-Burhan, quoted Imam Shafi'i’s words regarding the importance of public wellbeing in the determination of law. Imam Shafi'i explained that if a particular ruling is not found in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.), then one should consider the interest of public wellbeing in the Shari’ah, before considering other justification.
For instance, during the Battle of Yamama, many of the Companions, who had memorised the Qur'an, were martyred. In response, Sayyidina Umar al-Khattab (r.a.) suggested to the Caliph Abu Bakar as-Siddiq (r.a.) to compile the verses of the Qur’an into a written book. This suggestion aimed to ensure that the content of the Qur’an was accurately preserved, preventing any potential loss due to the further deaths of those who had memorised it.
Initially, Sayyidina Abu Bakar (r.a.) was hesitant to agree this suggestion, considering that our Prophet (s.a.w.) had not compiled the Qur’an during his lifetime. After some persuasion, he eventually agreed to the suggestion, recognising its long-term benefit for future generations of Muslims.
Brothers and sisters,
The history of the compilation of the Qur'an as shared earlier, highlights several lessons for us to reflect upon together:
First: It emphasises the importance of understanding the objective behind a particular law or ruling. Every law aims to preserve the interests and wellbeing of human beings. This includes protecting us from any form of harm or difficulty that can negatively impact our lives.
Second: It underscores the significance of appreciating the opinions of scholars (the ulama) when they explain the reasoning behind a specific ruling. Every legal opinion issued by them is based on clear and established religious grounds. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that human wellbeing will continue to be preserved, as well as to protect humankind from any harm or difficulty in life.
May Allah (s.w.t.) grant wisdom to all of us in understanding this religion. We pray that we will find success in this world and in the hereafter. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.
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.
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.
