Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

27 February 2026 / 9 Ramadan 1447H

Cultivating the Essence of Ubudiyyah at Home in Ramadan

Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,

Let us adorn ourselves with taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. Strive to maximise this Ramadan as though it is our last, so that we may attain enduring rewards and our souls be cleansed from sin. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

Dear blessed congregants,

In this month of Ramadan, we see our mosques enlivened and filled with many worshippers. However, today’s khutbah reminds us: let us not confine our devotion to Allah only to the month of Ramadan or to the mosque alone.

Our homes are not merely places of rest, shelter, and worldly affairs. Rather, in Islam, the home is the first madrasah and the first environment where individuals and families are nurtured in Ubudiyyah – devotion and servitude to Allah s.w.t.

Observe how Prophet Ibrahim a.s. and Prophet Ya‘qub a.s. cultivated faith beginning from the home. Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 132:

Which means: “And Abraham instructed his sons, and so did Jacob, saying, ‘O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except in a state of submission (as Muslims).’”

My dear brothers,

From this, we recognise the role of the home in ensuring that our spiritual journey continues even beyond the month of Ramadan:

First: The home is the place where worship and spirituality are cultivated

When worship is alive within the home, it becomes normalised; a habit not confined to a particular time. It becomes part of the rhythm of daily life. The Prophet s.a.w. said, which means: “Pray in your homes, for indeed the best prayer of a person is in his home except for the obligatory prayer.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

When prayer is maintained in the home, when the Quran is recited consistently, when supplications are heard by the children, and when the remembrance of Allah beautifies the environment, the home continues to be immersed in an atmosphere of iman even after Ramadan has departed.

Second: Worship must be established as a legacy, not merely an individual practice

Faith was never meant to be experienced alone. It must be lived, witnessed, and transmitted from one generation to the next. The prophets did not only worship Allah themselves; they strove to ensure that their children worshipped and obeyed Him as well. They advised them, guided them, and demonstrated faith through their actions.

Children do not learn faith merely through instruction. They learn through observation. When they see their parents pray, they learn the importance of prayer. When they hear their parents make du‘a, they learn reliance upon Allah. When they see their parents recite the Quran, they develop love for the Quran.

The habits introduced by parents becomes a protection for their children. The practices established today will determine the sustainability of faith of future generations.

So let us reflect on the condition of our homes today. Is it a place where worship thrives? When was the last time our families prayed together? When was the last time our homes were illuminated with the recitation of the Quran? When was the last time our children saw us humble ourselves sincerely before Allah?

Esteemed congregants,

Just as we enliven the houses of Allah during this Ramadan with our worship, let us strive to enliven our own homes by cultivating an environment of faith within them. This is the essence of cultivating Ubudiyyah. May Allah s.w.t. bless every one of our homes with faith, tranquility, and His mercy.

 

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