Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
5 April 2024 / 25 Ramadan 1445H
The Forgiveness and Mercy of a Servant
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 (s.w.t.) increase our taqwa through the worship that we perform throughout Ramadan. Amin.
Beloved brothers and sisters,
The time flew by so quickly that we have already reached the last Friday of Ramadan. Thus, let us maximise this remaining time of this noble month by sincerely working to attain the special gifts promised by Allah (s.w.t.). One of the greatest gifts from Allah is His forgiveness for all the sins we have committed.
This world is full of trials, my brothers and sisters. The adornments of this world are countless and tempting, distracting many, and rendering them incapable of controlling their ever-burning desires. The reality is that none of us are free from making mistakes and committing sins. Consequently, as sins accumulate within us, we grow restless, and our souls become uneasy. We are aware that sins, if left uncleansed, will only draw us closer to Allah's punishment in the Hellfire.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, Allah (s.w.t.) commands us to seek His forgiveness excessively and sincerely, especially during these last ten days of Ramadan. Indeed, we are encouraged to increase our supplications to Allah (s.w.t.), as taught by the hadith of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.):
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Which means: "O Allah! Indeed, You are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me." [Hadith narrated by Imam Tirmidhi].
However, my brothers and sisters, did you know that someone who seeks forgiveness from Allah (s.w.t.) should also forgive the mistakes of others towards them? If we withhold forgiveness for someone's wrongdoings against us, even after they have sincerely apologised, then Allah (s.w.t.) may not forgive our sins. As the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
اِرْحَمُوا تُرْحَمُوا، وَاغْفِرُوا يَغْفِرِ اللهُ لَكُمْ
Which means: "Show mercy, and you will be shown mercy. Forgive, and Allah will forgive you." [Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and Imam Tabrani].
My respected brothers and sisters,
Humans are not immune to making mistakes. This fact should not deter us from forgiving our brothers and sisters who sincerely repent for their past actions. Reluctance to forgive others can hinder us from obtaining Allah's forgiveness for our own sins.
While it is indeed challenging for us to forgive the mistakes of others, know that choosing forgiveness and striving to forget others' wrongdoings actually helps in healing our own souls. By doing so, we distance ourselves from feelings of revenge, envy, hostility, and animosity. Let us draw lessons from our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) during the conquest of Mecca. Despite their past transgressions against him, he forgave every inhabitant of Mecca and harboured no ill will whatsoever towards anyone.
Saiduna Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, on the other hand, was once reprimanded by Allah (s.w.t) for not forgiving his relative named Mistoh (مسطح). Mistoh was a poor man, and Abu Bakar generously supported his livelihood. However, at one point, when Abu Bakar's daughter Aishah was falsely accused of adultery against our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Mistoh was among the three Companions who spread the slanderous rumours throughout society. Eventually, Allah (s.w.t.) cleared Aishah's name, and the three Companions were severely punished. They repented, and their repentance was accepted by Allah (s.w.t.). However, Abu Bakar did not forgive Mistoh. Instead, he swore an oath to stop his assistance to Mistoh. Abu Bakar's stance, however, led to a rebuke from Allah (s.w.t.) in Surah An-Nur, verse 22:
Which means: "Let not those of virtue and wealth among you swear not to give (aid) to their relatives, the needy, and the emigrants for the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All-Forgiving and Most Merciful."
After being reprimanded, Abu Bakar immediately sought forgiveness from Allah (s.w.t.), revoked his oath, and resumed assisting his relative. Such was the compassion of Abu Bakar. Despite feeling deeply hurt, he did not allow the flames of his anger surpass the tenderness of Allah's mercy and compassion.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us nurture our hearts to be capable of extending forgiveness, just as we constantly implore Allah (s.w.t.) for His forgiveness. There is no need to wait for Hari Raya to forgive each other. Now, in these final days of Ramadan, when the gates of Allah's Paradise are wide open for His servants who hasten to repent to Him, let us open our hearts to forgive all our brothers and sisters, whether they are aware or unaware. Allah (s.w.t.) is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.
May our sincerity in extending forgiveness be among the reasons for all our sins to be erased by Allah (s.w.t.), the Most Forgiving and the Most Merciful. 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. 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.
