Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura 

Friday Sermon 

27 June 2025 / 1 Muharram 1446H

Awal Muharram – Towards Spiritual Renewal

Dear blessed congregation,

Let us observe taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. with true and sincere devotion. Fulfil all His commands and avoid all His prohibitions. Indeed, those who are mindful of Allah will always receive His guidance and protection, regardless of their circumstances. 

 

Dear congregants,

We are now at the beginning of the new Hijri year. The month of Muharrammarks the first chapter of the Islamic calendar. If asked about the virtues of this month, what would our answer be? Brothers, this is the only month in the Islamic calendar that the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. referred to as  – the 

“Month of Allah.” In a hadith narrated by Muslim, the Prophet s.a.w. said:

Which means: “The best time to fast after Ramadan, (is in) the Month of Allah – Muharram.” (Muslim) 

Another honour granted to the month of Muharram is that it is one of the four sacred months highly regarded in Islam. As such, Muslims are indirectly encouraged to begin the new Hijri year with acts of worship and righteous deeds– with the hope that a good beginning brings blessings and inspires steadfastness throughout the year.

 

Dear congregants,

Muharram is not merely a marker of the passage of time. It reminds us of a great event in Islamic history – the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and his Companions from Makkah to Madinah. It was a journey that demanded sacrifices – in wealth, status, and emotion. Yet amid these trials, the Prophet s.a.w. remained steadfast and firmly believed in Allah’s assistance. 

Verse 40 of Surah at-Taubah recounts the moment the Prophet s.a.w. left Makkah with Sayyidina Abu Bakr r.a. after being expelled by the disbelievers. They were pursued by hostile forces and sought refuge in a cave. When Sayyidina Abu Bakr r.a. grew anxious and troubled, the Prophet s.a.w. reassured him, saying: 

Which means: “Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us.” 

And so, Allah sent down His sakinah –tranquillity – upon them and supported them with His help. This, brothers, is the spirit of Hijrah: a firm conviction that with hardship comes relief, and with difficulty, there is hope. It teaches us that transformation for the better requires perseverance, patience, and firm faith. 

In this spirit of Muharram, let us engage in self-reflection and resolve to improve ourselves. If in the past year we were often negligent, let us now become more mindful. If we were previously distracted, let this year be one of greater attentiveness and awareness. 

 

Honoured congregation,

To embody the spirit of Hijrah in our lives, the sermon today invites us to take two steps: 

 

First: Use our time wisely.

Our lifespan is very brief. If we fail to fill our days with good deeds, we will lose precious time, and we will be in a state of loss. This is the powerful message of Surah Al-‘Asr, in which Allah s.w.t. says: 

Which means: “By time! Indeed, mankind is in loss.  

Except for those who believe, do righteous deeds, and encourage one another to uphold truth and patience.” 

Therefore, do not let time pass without meaningful action. Fill it with righteous deeds. Visit the mosque more frequently, not just once a week. Make charity a daily habit. Read the Quran and reflect on its meanings. Revive the noble sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. in both our outward actions and inner state. Improve our interactions with others – with our spouses, children, parents, neighbours, colleagues, and friends. Ensure that, as mentioned in Surah Al-‘Asr, each of our interactions reflects faith, good deeds, truth, and patience. 

 

Second: Leave behind past sins and wrongdoings.

The Prophet s.a.w. once said, in describing the essence of Hijrah:

Which means: “The true ‘muhajir’ or migrant is the one who abandons what Allah has forbidden.” 

This is an opportunity to close the chapter of past mistakes and open a new page that is pure. Stop the cycle of repeating the same errors. Leave bad habits behind – whether big or small, seen by others or unseen. 

Be cautious of every type of sin – not just certain types. Sins in worship, such as deliberately neglecting prayer or performing acts of worship ostentatiously. Sins against others – such as backbiting, slander, telling lies, oppressing others, or inflicting emotional or physical harm. Sins towards oneself and one’s family – such as neglecting responsibilities to one’s spouse, parents or children, or engaging in unlawful relationships, whether with the opposite or the same gender, or becoming involved in drug abuse, whether as a user or distributor. All these are sins that must be left behind without delay. 

 

Dear congregation,

Hijrah is not just about moving one’s physical location – it is a transition of the soul. It is a continuous journey of self-improvement – from darkness to light, from heedlessness to awareness, from sin to repentance. Hijrah does not demand perfection, but sincerity in striving for better. 

Let us make this new Hijri year a turning point towards spiritual renewal and purity from sin. Let us begin this journey with hope, prayer, and determination. Ya Allah, indeed, we have wronged ourselves greatly, and none can forgive our sins except You. So forgive us and have mercy on us. Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

 

 

 

         

Second Sermon

Dear blessed congregation,  

Let us raise our hands in supplication to Allah. With hearts full of sincerity. With deep hope. That Allah will accept this prayer. The plea of a servant who is full of shortcomings, to the Almighty, the All-Hearing. Our prayer is especially for our brothers and sisters who continue to suffer and endure hardship in Gaza. At a time when help from mankind has been cut off, let us, as ‘ibadullah (servants of Allah), turn to the Lord of all worlds – the One who is more powerful than every ruler, mightier than every army – to continue bestowing His aid upon them.  

Ya Allah, the All-Hearing Lord who hears every whisper of His servants’ hearts, grant us Your forgiveness, for indeed, we are Your servants who often forget and make mistakes. Forgive our past and future sins, those committed intentionally and unintentionally, the small and few and the vast akin to the oceans. And do not let these sins become a barrier that prevents our prayers from being accepted.  

O Lord who answers the supplications of His servants, on this blessed day and moment, we bow with sincerity and humility, pleading for a portion of Your mercy, O Most Merciful. Help our oppressed brothers and sisters wherever they may be, especially in Gaza and Palestine.  

Ya Allah, Ya Mannan, lighten their burdens, protect them from violence and harm, heal those who are sick and wounded, and provide sustenance for those who are hungry and thirsty.  

Ya Latif, Ya Hannan, envelop them in Your mercy, place them within Your divine love, and strengthen their spirits with faith in Your assistance.  

Ya Allah, Ya Dzal ‘Izzi was-Sultan, replace their fear with peace, their hardship with ease, their anxiety with calmness, and their sorrow with joy.