Ramadan Cultivates Muraqabah and Ihsan

Dear blessed Congregation,

Have taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. with true mindfulness. Obey all His commands and avoid all His prohibitions. Let us observe the fast, prayers, recitation of the Quran, and qiyam to the best of our abilities. May the pleasure of Allah s.w.t. serve as a constant companion to us. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

Dear blessed Congregation,

Ramadan has returned, and it is reviving hearts yearning for forgiveness. It instils peace in the soul and nourishes the seeds of taqwa. Therefore, let us fill this month with worship and obedience, and let our actions reflect our iman. May the conclusion of this journey be illuminated with Lailatul Qadr and an abundance of blessings.

My dear brothers,

Today’s khutbah will discuss the values of muraqabah and ihsan, and their connection to the act of fasting.

Respected congregation,

What makes fasting unique? Compared to other acts of worship, is it true that fasting is a concealed act of devotion? Indeed it is, for this is how the scholars of the past described it. This is because only Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla truly knows whether we are sincerely fasting – not only abstaining from food and drink but also guarding our sight, speech, and limbs, from dawn until dusk.

Thus, fasting demands sincerity and an awareness that Allah s.w.t. is always watching over us. This is known as muraqabah – mindfulness that one is constantly under the watchful gaze of Allah in all situations and at all times.

Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-‘Alaq, verse 14:

Which means: "Does he not know that Allah sees (all that he does)?"

When we possess the quality of muraqabah, we strive to improve ourselves and our actions, even when no one else is watching. It is deeply linked to the concept of ihsan, and in fact, it is the first step towards achieving it.

What then is the meaning of ihsan? To answer this, let us reflect on the words of the Prophet s.a.w.:

"أنَْ تعَْبدَُ هاللََّ كَأنَهكَ ترََاهُ، فإَِنْ لمَْ تكَُنْ ترََاهُ، فإَِنههُ يرََاك"

Which means: "(Ihsan is) to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then know that He sees you." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Ihsan means performing our worship and actions in the best possible manner, driven by the awareness that Allah s.w.t. is ArRaqīb, the One who is always watching over us.

Dear blessed Congregation,

Muraqabah and ihsan are two closely related values. When we internalise the awareness (muraqabah) that Allah is watching over us, it prevents us from knowingly committing sins and transgressions. At the same time, we strive to perform everything in the best possible manner (ihsan). This applies to acts of worship, our interactions with others, and all aspects of life.

Let us strive and resolve during this Ramadan, with the act of fasting as a training ground, so that the values of muraqabah and ihsan become embedded in our daily lives. This includes four key areas as follows:

First: Within Ourselves and Our Families

Muraqabah shapes a Mukmin with strong character. We treat our families with love, honesty, and responsibility. We do not oppress, hurt, or neglect them. We help our relatives who are in difficulty, recognising that Allah has granted us certain blessings. Most importantly, we acknowledge that we ourselves are dependent on Allah’s help.

Secondly: Within Our Community

Muraqabah makes us just and compassionate individuals. We resolve conflicts, assist those in need, and do not belittle the struggles of others. We keep our environment clean, avoid pollution, and refrain from excessiveness and wastefulness of food and drinks, especially in Ramadan. We are more mindful in our water consumption, including when making the wudu’.

Thirdly: In Our Work

Muraqabah cultivates honesty, discipline, and responsibility in the workplace. We complete our tasks on time, avoid lazing around, and do not abuse our authority. We believe that practising ihsan in our work (by striving to do our best) brings both blessings and success.

Fourth: In Facing Life’s Challenges

A Mukmin who embodies muraqabah faces trials with patience and trust in Allah. It helps to overcome feelings of emptiness, knowing that Allah is always near and provides a way out. We remain steadfast when experiencing financial difficulties, health challenges, or the loss of loved ones. When our affairs are eased, we become more grateful. Ultimately, hardships which are faced with muraqabah and ihsan become an opportunity to strengthen and not weaken our faith.

Dear blessed Congregation,

Let us use Ramadan as a training ground to enhance our muraqabah and ihsan. May Allah s.w.t. guide us and grant us the strength to perform the best of deeds.

Ya Allah, Ya Rahmān, Ya Rahīm, embrace us in Your mercy and love. Ya Fattāh, Ya ‘Alīm, open our hearts to receive Your guidance. Ya Raqīb, Ya Muhsin, grant us muraqabah and ihsan that will lead us to Your path. Ya Tawwāb, Ya Ghaffār, cleanse us in this month from our sins with Your forgiveness. Ya Muhyī,

Ya Mumīt, grant us life in iman, let our final moments be in iman, and admit us into Your Paradise in the state of iman. Amin, ya Mujības-Sā’ilīn.

أقُ وْلُ قَ وْيلِ هَذَا وَأسْتَ غيفرُ اللهَ العَ يظيْمَ يلِ وَلكُمْ، فاسْتَ غيفرُوهُ إينَّهُ هُ وَ الغفُوْرُ الريحيْم.

Second Sermon

الحمْدُ يلله حََدًا كَثييرا كَمَا أمَرَ، وَأشْهَدُ أن لََ إيلهَ إيلََّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لََ شَيريكَ لهُ، وَأشْهَدُ أنَّ سَيي دَنََ مَُُمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرسُولهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَي ل وَسَلي مْ عَلى سَيي يدنََ مَُُمَّدٍ وَعَلى آلييه وَأصْحَابييه أجْْيعينَ. أمَّا بَ عْ دُ، فَ يا يعبادَ الله، ايتَّ قُوا اللهَ تَ عَالََ يفيمَا أمَرَ، وَانتَ هُوا عَمَّا نََاكُم عَنْهُ وَزجَرَ.

ألََ صَلوا وَسَلي مُوا عَلى النييب المُصْطفَى، فَ قَدْ أمَرَنََ اللهُ بيذَليكَ حَيْثُ قال يفِ كيتابييه العَيزييز: إينَّ اللهَ وَمَلََئيكَتهُ يصَلونَ عَلى النييب يَ ا أيُّ هَا الَّيذينَ ءَامَنوا صَلوا عَلييه وَسَلي مُوا تسْلييمًا. اللهُمَّ صَيل وَسَلي مْ وَبََيركْ عَلى سَيي يدنََ مَُُمَّدٍ وَعَلى آيل سَيي يدنََ مُُمَّدٍ.

وَارضَ اللهُمَّ عَ ين الخلفَايء الرايشيدينَ المهْيديي ينَ سَادَاتينا أيبِ بكْرٍ وَعمَرَ وَعُثمَانَ وَعَلي يي، وَعَن بيقيية الصَّحَابية وَالقَرابية وَالتابييعينَ، وَتََبييعي التابييعينَ، وَعَنا مَعَهُم وَيفييهم بيرَحَْتيكَ يََ أرْحَ مَ الراييحَينَ.

اللهُمَّ اغْيفرْ ليلمُؤْيمنيينَ وَالمؤْيمنا يت، وَالمسْلييمينَ وَالمسْليمَا يت، الأحْيايء يمنهُم وَالأمْوَا يت.

Ya Allah, we are grateful for the opportunity to witness this month of mercy and forgiveness. Allow us to seek Your boundless mercy and pardon, Ya Rahmān. Forgive our sins and mistakes, Ya Ghafūr. Prolong our lives, so that we may fulfil the obligations of Ramadan and perfect its observance, with acts of righteousness, devotion, sincerity, forgiveness, purification, and liberation from our desires and the whispers of Shaitan. So that we may become Your servants worthy of entering the Paradise, which You have promised to those who believe.

In this blessed month, we seek Your grace, Ya Laṭīf, that You open the doors of peace and security for the people of Palestine in these difficult times, and for all the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. who are afflicted with anxiety, fear, and oppression.

O Allah, grant us goodness in this world and in the Hereafter, and protect us and our loved ones from the torment of Hellfire. .ربَّ نا آتينا يفِ الدُّنيا حَسَنةً، وَيفِ الآيخرَية حَسَنةً، وَيقنا عَذَابَ الناير

يعبادَ يالله، إينَّ اللهَ يََمُرُ يبَلعَدْيل وَا يلإحْسَاين وَإييتايء يذي القُرْبََ، وَيَ نْ هَى عَ ين الفَحْشَايء وَالمنكَير وَالبَ غ يي، يَيعظكُمْ لعَلكُمْ تذكَّرُونَ، فاذكُرُوا اللهَ العَ يظيمَ يذكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلى نيعَيميه ييزدكُمْ، وَاسْألوهُ يمن فضْلييه يُ عْ يطكُم، وَليذكْرُ يالله أكْبََُ، وَاللهُ يَ عْلمُ مَا تصْنَ عونَ.