Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
22 November 2024 / 20 Jamadil Awal 1446H
Curbing Wasteful Practices
Dear blessed congregation,
Let us strive together in increasing our piety (taqwa) to Allah s.w.t. by fulfilling His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Indeed, the most noble among us in the sight of Allah is the one who possesses the highest level of taqwa.
Ma’asyiral Muslimin wa Zumratal Mukminin Rahimakumullah,
This week’s sermon will address the issues of environmental pollution and wastage, and how, as Mukmin (believers), we can take proactive steps to overcome these negative habits.
My dear brothers,
Imam Muslim narrated a hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. reminded us that Allah s.w.t. is the Most Beautiful and loves beauty. This, of course, includes the beauty of all His creations, including the environment, which should be preserved from pollution and wastage, as highlighted in last week’s sermon.
In another hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and Imam Ibn Majah, a companion was reprimanded by the Prophet s.a.w. for excessive use of water while performing ablution (wudu). Observe, my dear brothers: this was ablution, not simply washing clothes or playing with water, but making wudu in preparation for prayer. This reminder sends a clear message that our lifestyle as Muslims should reflect Islamic teachings, and wastefulness has no place in the life of a Mukmin (believer).
My dear brothers,
Wastage can easily occur in our daily activities. For example, have we, perhaps unintentionally, purchased more food or drinks than we need, only for some to go uneaten, and eventually thrown away? This situation happens too frequently, particularly during Ramadan and Syawal, which are just three months away. In fact, reports indicate that in regions such as the Middle East and Britain, between 25% and 50% of food is wasted during the month of Ramadan.
While this wastage may not be new to our knowledge, it should encourage reflection and inspire us to rectify these bad habits, which surely contradicts the Islamic emphasis on being grateful for our sustenance and avoiding wastefulness.
What about our use of energy and natural resources? Have we considered the amount of natural resources required to produce everyday items, from our clothing and writing materials to our mobile phones? Do we purchase these items out of necessity or merely to catch up with the latest trends and lifestyle choices? Without realising it, we may fall prey to the deceit of Shaitan and our own nafs (desires).
Wastefulness is a trait disapproved of in Islam, as Allah s.w.t. declares in Surah Al-Isra’, verse 27:
Which means: "Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils. And the Devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord."
I remind myself and all present today to ponder deeply over this verse. Why does Allah s.w.t. describe those who waste with such a severe description? This is meant to awaken us from our own heedlessness. It is also a sign of Allah’s love and mercy for the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., urging them to avoid what He detests.
My dear brothers,
To sustain efforts in curbing wastage, allow me to propose two practical steps we can adopt in our daily lives as believers and as members of a global society:
Firstly, follow the sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. in conserving natural resources. This is especially relevant when conservation can be achieved without compromising our daily needs. Imagine the happiness of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. when witnessing his followers championing his sunnah in curbing wastefulness. It would also be even more meaningful when the world sees the ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. leading efforts to eliminate waste. Though we may never have met the Prophet s.a.w., we can still exemplify his sunnah, transcending the boundaries of time and space.
Secondly, view environmental preservation as an expression of faith in Allah s.w.t. If removing harm from the road is considered a sign of perfect faith, what about preserving Allah’s creations by avoiding wastage and leaving a lasting positive impact? Remember, even small efforts, when done collectively and consistently, can lead to significant change.
In conclusion, let us reflect on the words of Allah s.w.t. in Surah Ar-Rum, verse 41:
Which means: "Corruption has spread on land and sea as a result of people’s actions, and He will make them taste the consequences of some of their own actions so that they may turn back (to righteousness)."
May Allah s.w.t. grant us the strength to fulfil our responsibilities as stewards of the earth, preserving the environment from our wastefulness. May the positive values we nurture within ourselves shape us into believers who earn Allah’s pleasure. 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
