Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Friday Sermon
7 June 2024 / 29 Zulkaedah 1445H
Cultivating Tranquillity in the Household
Dear Blessed Congregation,
Let us cultivate taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. by obeying all His commands and abstaining from all His prohibitions. May the household we build and the family bonds we form remain strong and be blessed by Allah s.w.t.
Dear Congregants,
Last month's sermon reminded us of the importance of life planning – for the well-being of ourselves, our families, and our communities. This month's sermon will mention several lessons about the family taken from the Farewell Sermon (Khutbah Wada’) of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. before his passing.
Let us reflect on one of his advices in that sermon:
فَاتَّقُوْا اللهَ فِي النِّسَاءِ فَإِنَّكُمْ أَخَذْتُمُوْهُنَّ بِأَمَانِ اللهِ وَاسْتَحْلَلْتُمْ فُرُوْجَهُنَّ بِكَلِمَةِ اللهِ
Which means: “Fear Allah concerning (the affairs of) women, for you have taken them as a trust from Allah, and their intimate relations have been made lawful for you by the word of Allah.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim).
Subhanallah, observe the beautiful advice of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. concerning wives. He reminds husbands, as many of us are, to uphold the rights of a wife and guide them on the path that pleases Allah. A husband must honour his wife's dignity, treat her with gentleness, and show kindness. Indeed, when a husband says ‘I accept her marriage’, he is actually making a promise to Allah s.w.t. to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to him.
My Dear Congregants,
Every married couple undoubtedly desires happiness and tranquillity (sakinah) in their lives. Therefore, we should seek to fulfil every right and responsibility in order to nurture a household adorned with Sakinah, Mawaddah, and Rahmah.
Remember, my brothers, a husband is a guardian for his wife. Imam Al-Ghazali in his book Majmu’ah Rasail (مجموعة رسائل) explains the etiquette of a husband towards his wife, which includes: “…interacting well, speaking kindly, showing affection, not constantly questioning the wife's shortcomings, and forgiving her when she makes a mistake. Also, protecting the wife's property, not arguing, spending generously on her needs, honouring her family, and consistently giving good promises.”
Such is the guidance of Islam. When a husband fulfills his role well, he creates an atmosphere of intimacy, happiness, and tranquillity in his household.
Dear Congregants,
We are aware that married life is not free from challenges. Every problem needs to be handled carefully so that any flaw and shortcoming remains hidden from public view. However, if it involves danger and harm, such as domestic violence, it becomes an issue that must not be ignored.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, whether between spouses or between parents and their children. It can occur in various forms, whether physical, mental, psychological, or emotional abuse. As a believer, we must ask ourselves, does the noble teaching of Islam allow someone to harm, threaten, force, or instill fear in their own family members? Certainly not! For this violates the spirit of Islamic teachings.
Dear Congregants,
We cannot remain silent or allow domestic violence to occur within Muslim families. Domestic violence is not a private issue. As a community of believers, we need to care about the suffering of others. Is it not the character of a true believer, apart from calling to goodness, to also prevent evil and harm from occurring? Allah s.w.t. says:
Which means: “[The believers are] those who turn to God in repentance; who worship and praise Him; who bow down and prostrate themselves; who order what is good and forbid what is wrong and who observe God’s limits. Give glad news to such believers.” (Surah Al-Tawbah, verse 112).
Therefore, we need to immediately report to the authorities or family service centers if we see signs of abuse. Similarly, if we notice someone who is usually cheerful becoming more withdrawn and silent, we should inquire if they are distressed or experiencing domestic violence.
Let us all play our roles as true guardians of our wives and family members. May Allah s.w.t. grant tranquility and happiness to our families in this world and the hereafter. Ameen, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
SECOND KHUTBAH
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 وَالسَّلاَم وَاْلأَمْنَ وَاْلأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ أَجْمَع يَا لَطِيْف. 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.
