Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
23 September 2022 / 26 Safar 1444H
Avoiding Violence in Educating Children
Blessed brothers and sisters,
Let us have taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by doing all His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. May we be placed among His noble and beloved servants. Amin.
Brothers and sisters,
Children are blessings from Allah (s.w.t). Many married couples hope to have children of their own to brighten up the ambiance of the home they have built together. It is part of human nature for couples to feel happy when they are blessed with children to be part of their family institution.
However, the gift given by Allah (s.w.t) comes with responsibility and trust which every parent must shoulder carefully. In parenting, there are times when parents feel happy and contented, but there will be times when their feelings and emotions are tested, due to the actions of their children.
There is no doubt that raising children has its challenges. This is clearly recorded in the words of Allah (s.w.t.):
Which means, “Your wealth and children are a test, but Allah has with Him a great reward.” (Surah al-Taghabun: verse 15)
Although there are many challenges in raising children, it does not give parents the right to act or do as they wish. Especially if those actions may lead to child abuse.
Brothers and sisters,
According to official statistics between 2017 and 2021, there has been an increase in the investigation of child abuse cases either physical, sexual, or neglected children. This increase should make us carefully reflect on the problems faced by the community.
We need to ask ourselves; What is the cause of this problem? And what can we do to reduce the number of such cases?
Brothers and sisters,
Children are vulnerable beings. They accept whatever that is given and shown to them. Children’s attitude and morality are shaped by their parents’ character and personality. Children will grow up to become someone with the characteristics that they were exposed to when they were young. The way we treat our children will shape how they deal with their families and how they interact with the community around them in the future.
If children are brought up in a loving family, they too will treat their own family with warmth and compassion. If they are frequently exposed to violence and abuse, these too will form part of their worldview and belief system. Therefore, parents must strive to become the best example to their family members.
Let us look at the example shown by the Prophet (s.a.w.). Aisyah (r.a.) said which means: “The Prophet (s.a.w) never struck a servant or a woman, and he never struck anything with his hand.” (Hadith reported by Ibn Majah)
Brothers and sisters,
Look at our children with mercy and compassion. Follow the example of Rasulullah (s.a.w.) who made mercy a fundamental value in our interactions with others, especially within our family members. Sayyidah Aisyah (r.a.) described the Prophet (s.a.w.) by saying:
مَا رَأَيتُ أَحَدًا أَرْحَمَ بِالعِيَالِ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ
Which means: “I have never seen anyone more kind to one's family than the Prophet (s.a.w.)”. (Hadith reported by Ibn Hibban)
Lastly, let us not forget to always pray for the well-being of our children. The prayers of parents will not be rejected by Allah (s.w.t.).
May Allah (s.w.t) grant our children to be loving and compassionate Muslims who are devoted to serving the community. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، 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 تَسلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَ بَارِكْ 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، يَارَبَّ 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 يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.
