Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura 

Friday Sermon 

20 June 2025 / 23 Zulhijjah 1446H

Balancing Principledness and Compassion

Dear blessed congregation,

Let us harbour the resolve to be among the righteous servants with taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. Fulfil all His commands and avoid all that He has forbidden. May Allah s.w.t. grant us steadfastness of heart, unwavering faith, a caring attitude accompanied by compassion, so that together, we may uphold the teachings of Islam in the best possible way at all times. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin. 

 

Honoured congregation,

Consider the following question: Can we hold firmly to the principles of our religion, and at the same time, show compassion to those who are still struggling to practise them? 

Listen to the words of Allah in Surah At-Taubah, verse 128: 

Which means: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger (Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; (he is) concerned over you, and kind and merciful to the believers.”

Reflect, dear brothers. Rasulullah s.a.w. was the very person who laid the foundation of Islamic principles. Yet, at the same time, his compassion and mercy are clearly described in the verse just recited. This shows us that these two qualities – steadfastness in upholding Islamic principles and compassion for others – are not in conflict. In fact, they can and should coexist within ourselves, as demonstrated in the noble character of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. 

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

We live in a time full of challenges. Human suffering caused by war have led to physical and mental challenges. Meanwhile, a culture that prioritises material progress offers a spiritual challenge. It can lead people further away from religion and belief in the Divine. The spread of an unregulated lifestyle that disregards divine guidance threatens the moral values of Muslim life. This brings us ideological challenges as well. 

As believers, we are called to hold fast to the sacred values and principles of Islam. At the same time, we are also commanded to show compassion and empathy, especially to those who are struggling with confusion and uncertainty in their faith. 

This reality requires us to be steadfast in our Islamic values while nurturing ourselves, guiding our families, and helping others with wisdom and compassion. 

Rasulullah s.a.w. once said: "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed." The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, we understand how to help the oppressed. 

But how do we help the oppressor?” The Prophet s.a.w. replied, “By preventing him from committing oppression.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari) 

This is the balance that Islam teaches us – we help those who are in the wrong, by guiding them away from wrongdoing. At the same time, we do not respond with harshness or judgment, without compassion and empathy. 

 

Blessed congregation,

How can we practise this balance in our daily lives? Let us look at some examples from the Prophet’s approach: 

First: Educate with kindness, and do not rush to penalise others.

Once, a man came to the Prophet s.a.w. asking for permission to commit zina(fornication). Instead of scolding or humiliating him, the Prophet s.a.w. guided him gently, asking: “Would you like that to be done to your own family members?” The man replied, “No.” The Prophet s.a.w. said, “Just as others do not wish it for their family.” Then, the Prophet s.a.w. made a supplication for the man. (Narrated by Ahmad) 

This example shows that religious advice should be delivered with wisdom, according to each person’s level of understanding, and with the sincere intent to guide, not merely to penalise. 

Second: Do not insult or degrade others.  

The Prophet s.a.w. once corrected a companion who mocked a man being punished for drinking intoxicants. The Prophet s.a.w. said: “Do not be a helper of Satan against your brother.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari) 

Dear brothers and sisters, this hadith teaches us how to treat those who sin or make mistakes. While we do not condone their actions, we must also avoid sinful behaviour ourselves – such as mocking, insulting, or degrading others. This unacceptable behaviour is influenced by Syaitan. Such behaviour only distances people from the beauty of Islam. Instead, we must continue advising and guiding them with the hope that their hearts will return to the truth. 

 

Dear congregation,

These two hadiths are examples of the Prophet’s approach in nurturing and guiding his ummah, especially those who had erred or were tempted to go against religious principles. Many more stories in the sunnah and sirah of the Prophet s.a.w. reflect this noble character. 

The Prophet’s firmness in principle did not erase his compassion. Likewise, his kindness never stopped him from preventing immorality, and upholding the valuesand principles of Islam. 

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was deeply concerned for his people – he was grieved by our suffering constantly desired our wellbeing and was full of mercy and compassion towards the believers. These are the noble traits of the Prophet s.a.w. that we should emulate in our lives, as a sign of our love for him. 

May Allah s.w.t. grant us the strength to hold firmly to our religion and bless our hearts with compassion for our fellow humankind. Ya Allah, fill our hearts, our tongues, our eyes and our ears with Your light. 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.