Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
25 October 2024 / 22 Rabiul Akhir 1446H
Building Resilience: Responding to Crises with Faith
Blessed congregation,
Let us strive to increase our taqwa, by obeying all His commands and abstaining from all His prohibitions. It is by taqwa, that we gain the strength to navigate life with resilience and hope, despite the challenges and tribulations.
My Dear Brothers,
Today, from this pulpit, I will highlight the importance of building resilience amid tribulations and the response of our small yet global Muslim community, to the ongoing crisis in Gaza over the past year.
Brothers,
Trials and tribulations are not without purpose. They serve to remind us of the true meaning of life in this world; that is to strive to become a better person, and to be closer to Allah s.w.t. Life is truly much more fulfilling when we come to realise its meaning.
Allah s.w.t. guides us in Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 155-157:
Which means: “We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—who say, when struck by a disaster, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will (all) return.’ They are the ones who will receive Allah’s blessings and mercy. And it is they who are (rightly) guided.”
Dear blessed congregants
Allah reminds us that the pain and struggle we go through are not pointless. They will yield their rewards, whether in this life or the Hereafter.
Should we not feel grateful for such promises? Even when all seems lost, Allah s.w.t. affirms that we are on the right path, as long as we remain steadfast in our faith and values.
My Dear Brothers,
We have seen in the past year unimaginable catastrophe around the world by humanity’s own undoing fuelled by violence, destruction and greed.
Yet, despite the horrors, we also witness humanity’s potential to demonstrate extraordinary patience, resilience, and the mutual solidarity for compassion and justice. These are virtuous qualities that we should strive to define our humanity.
Watching the destruction and losses unfold daily, with little sign of improvement, forces us to confront our own helplessness. Even so, we must remember that, in these moments of despair, we are not abandoned. Let us hold on to our faith and never lose hope. Allah s.w.t. reminds us in Surah Yunus, verse 107:
Which means: “And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it except Him. And if He intends good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whoever He wills of His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
My Dear Brothers
Being patient and resilient does not mean that we are indifferent to transgressions and suffering. Rather, it means that, we strive to respond with wisdom while upholding our principles of compassion and justice. Because hoping for divine intervention does not mean abandoning our efforts.
So, what can we do in such dire circumstances? I would like to humbly suggest the following:
First, our resilience is marked by our unwavering commitment to provide assistance, whether in times of ease or difficulty. We may offer our contribution to The Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation, or RLAF, in providing humanitarian aid for Gaza in Palestine, opened until 13 December this year.
Singaporeans, from all walks of life, have proven their compassion and unity for the innocent victims in the midst of the atrocities. Let us continue to participate in this collective effort.
Second, in a time when people are more divided than united, let us strive to build bridges and foster peaceful conversations about justice and humanity. Last week’s sermon emphasised the importance of mercy and justice. Justice is a universal value, shared by all communities. Islam places justice in such high regard that Allah s.w.t. profoundly reminds us in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 8, which means: “Do not let the hatred of a people swerve you from justice. Be just! That is closer to Taqwa.”
The crises in the Middle East have not only fuelled narratives of violence and hatred around the world, but they have also clouded the vision for peace and harmony between diverse communities. It is our duty to uphold the true teachings of religion as beacons of compassion and justice. Through respectful conversations, we must foster trust and provide mutual encouragement for goodness.
The third and perhaps the most important step, is to return to Allah s.w.t. in humble servitude and pray. Continue to participate in Hajat prayer and Qunut Nazilah during the Fardhu or Friday prayers. Truly, nothing is beyond His capacity.
You, my brothers, have shown great heart and resilience during this challenging time, being among the first to consistently offer Qunut Nazilah in Friday prayers since the escalation of the crises in the Middle East. Let us continue our resolve and hold firm to our prayer.
Dear Blessed Congregants
As much as we strive to provide a positive change in this world, ultimately, we leave the outcome of our humble efforts to Allah sw.t. Surely there is good ending for the faithful. Allah is our Protector. In Him let the believers put their trust.
Ya Allah, Ya Hayyu, Ya Qayyum, guide our every step to become merciful, resilient, and just in this challenging time. Nurture in us taqwa so that we may navigate life in this world. Grant Your protection and help to the victims of transgression in Gaza and other places. Bestow upon them the best of abode in Paradise. 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.
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. اَللَّهُمَّ 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
