Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

21 October 2022 / 24 Rabiulawal 1444H

  
Emulating the Character of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.): Gratitude

Brothers and sisters blessed by Allah (s.w.t.)

Let us increase our taqwa in Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. May we be placed among the those who are constantly grateful for His blessings. Amin.

 

Brothers and sisters,

  
Allah (s.w.t.) has mentioned in the third verse of surah Al-Isra’:

Which means: “O descendants of those We carried with Noah in the Ark! He was indeed a grateful servant.”

Let us reflect upon this verse. It narrates the story of Prophet Nuh (a.s.) and those who boarded the ark with him to save themselves from the flood. They were reminded to emulate the Prophet Nuh (a.s.).

It was narrated by Imam Al-Tabari that Prophet Nuh (a.s.) would always say his gratitude towards Allah (s.w.t.) for all the blessings bestowed upon him. The gift of clothes, food, drinks, and all other provisions that Allah (s.w.t.) has given to him.

Let us also reflect on how Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), the beloved one who holds a high status in the eyes of Allah (s.w.t.), still strived to show his gratitude. In a hadith narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari, it is said the Prophet (s.a.w.) stood to perform prayer until his two feet became swollen. When asked why he went to such lengths, the Prophet replied: “Should I not be a grateful servant?”

This is a character which we must strive to emulate. A servant of Allah (s.w.t.) should always be grateful and show his gratitude for every given blessing.

Brothers and sisters,

Let us observe our surroundings, from our own bodies to our environment. Allah (s.w.t.) has granted us blessings in many forms. Our five senses, our nature, and all other forms of blessings. Everything upon this earth is filled with the mercy and love that Allah has for us. Even the leaves that fall for the sake of allowing new leaves to grow are a blessing as it allows us to inhale fresh air.

Thus, what is our role as servants of Allah (s.w.t.) who have basked in all these blessings? Surely, we must be grateful and express our gratitude by striving to obtain the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.)

Brothers and sisters,

One of the ways to show gratitude towards Allah (s.w.t.) is by instilling within ourselves a sense of thankfulness towards others.

By internalising this value, we would realise that every blessing we have should make us become more hardworking and sincere in attaining the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.)

At the same time, to further strengthen our gratitude for His blessings, we should not compare ourselves with those who seem to be more fortunate. 

However, to develop a sense of gratitude, we should reflect on those who are less fortunate than us.

This is the advice that our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.) has given us: “Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for that will prevent you from belittling the favors of Allah.” (Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This way, not only are we able to become grateful servants, but also our hearts will be opened to extend assistance to those in need.

As how the challenge upon those who are less fortunate is to be patient and grateful despite the challenges that they face, it is similarly a challenge for those who are fortunate to become grateful beings. One’s thankfulness or lack of thankfulness towards their fortunes will determine whether they deserve the pleasure or anger of Allah (s.a.w.).

Let us together seek the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.) by increasing our gratitude in all circumstances, in difficulty or at ease. With these efforts, may we be gathered together in the paradise of Allah. Amin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، 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 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.