Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

17 December 2021 / 12 Jamadilawal 1443H

Contemplating the Name of Allah: Al-Wahhab

Brothers and sisters,

Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. Hopefully with taqwa, we continuously receive guidance and help from Allah in this world and the hereafter.

Brothers and sisters,

For this week’s sermon, let us reflect upon another name of Allah (s.w.t.), which is al-Wahhab, the Bestower or the Giver.

Allah is always willing to give. He sends down His mercy, forgiveness and blessings to whomever He wills. Nothing could possibly prevent Him from giving that which He intends to. In fact, He continues to give even when we make mistakes, commit sins, or fail to obey His commands. This is the greatness and glory of Allah, al-Wahhab.

Brothers and Sisters,

There are times when we feel unworthy of receiving Allah’s favours and blessings because of the many sins we have committed. But Allah (s.w.t.) has never stopped giving and continues to grant us many of His favours and blessings. These include our sense of sight, sense of hearing, happiness, the ability to worship in the house of Allah even during the pandemic, and many more. Sometimes, we do not realize the favours that Allah has granted us. We tend to want more, and often feel upset when we do not get what we wished for. We also tend to forget the countless blessings and many favours Allah has given to us.

Brothers and sisters,

When we ask Allah for something, we must understand that Allah (s.w.t.) gives us what we need, which may not necessarily be what we want. This is because Allah is All-Knowing. He knows what is best and suitable for us. Listen to the verse where Allah (s.w.t.) says:

Which means: “To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters and blesses whoever He wills with sons.” (Surah Asy-Syura: 49).

Brothers and sisters,

The believer who contemplates the name of Allah al-Wahhab, will be more motivated to apply this characteristic in his daily life. Now allow me to share three things we can all work on together.

Firstly: Appreciate the favours and blessings of Allah by obeying His commands.

When a believer is granted favours and blessings from Allah, he does not turn greedy nor become selfish. Instead, he will constantly find ways to share goodness and leave a positive impact in the life of others. This is because we are required to channel Allah’s favours in the path of goodness and not otherwise.

Secondly: Strive to acquire sustenance that are blessed by Allah.

For example, a father who goes out to work and support his family, he needs to ensure that he performs it truthfully and in an honest manner, free of any form of cheating. This is because, wealth and status are not the benchmark of Allah’s mercy on His slaves. What is most important is that the sustenance is blessed by Allah (s.w.t.).

Thirdly: Instill a deep sense of gratitude in our hearts.

The many favours Allah (s.w.t.) has granted us should increase our sense of gratitude. Grateful that Allah (s.w.t.) always protects us and our well-being. Grateful that Allah (s.w.t.) will never allow us to suffer alone in hardships. And remember the promise of Allah that when we are grateful to Him, He will surely provide us with more of His gifts and mercy.

Let us continue to appreciate the favours and blessings of Allah (s.w.t.), by increasing our sense of gratitude towards Him.

May all of us become Muslims who find joy in the act of giving or helping one another, and always be in a state of gratefulness upon receiving every favour or blessing that Allah (s.w.t.) gives to us. Amin. Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ

 

 

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.