Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

12 Aug 2022 / 14 Muharram 1444H

Every Person is Responsible for Their Actions

My beloved brothers and sisters, 

Let us have taqwa in Allah (s.w.t.) with true piety, by obeying all His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions. 

Brothers and sisters,  

We are still in the month of Muharram. The month that is usually associated to the migration of the Prophet (s.a.w.). Today, our hijrah is a migration towards becoming pious and better believers, a more absolute in character and moral. In last week's sermon, we were reminded of the responsibility in spreading goodness to our family members. A strong family relationship built with affection will form positive attributes which will help family members, especially children, in distinguishing between the good and the bad.

Having strong support from family members helps in forming good characters, however, every individual is still required to make an effort to achieve goodness. The support and prayers of parents are not sufficient if the children do not choose to strive towards achieving goodness for themselves.

Brothers and sisters, 

In facing the challenges of this worldly life, none of us is free from making mistakes. This is clearly mentioned by the Prophet (s.a.w.): “All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent.” (Hadith reported by Imam al-Hakim)

Every one of us need to remember our responsibility in protecting ourselves from negative elements that might bring harm and evil upon us, even though at times, we may inevitably make mistakes.

Our religion has set clear boundaries. It is our responsibility to strive in abiding the commands of Allah (s.w.t.) by refraining and avoiding from transgressing those limitations. This includes committing sins such as fornication either with the opposite gender or with the same gender which we hear today.

What is then the next step for those who have transgressed? Is there any chance to return to the right path or should they continue to indulge in sins?

Brothers and sisters, 

Once there was a young man who came to the Prophet (s.a.w.), seeking permission for him to fornicate. The companions of the Prophet (s.a.w) who were there started rebuking him. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) ordered the young man to come close to him and said, " Would you like if it is done to your mother, daughter, sister, and aunt? The young man replied, "No, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet (s.a.w.) replied: "Likewise, others dislike you to do the same towards their family members." Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) placed his hand on the young man's chest and prayed for his sins to be forgiven, his heart purified, and his chastity safeguarded." (Hadith reported by Imam Ahmad)  

This hadith shows the wisdom of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in handling such challenging cases. The decree of Allah (s.w.t) cannot be compromised. Adultery is prohibited. Drinking alcohol and disobeying parents are forbidden. Things that are forbidden cannot be made lawful even if others approve them. Nonetheless, the Prophet (s.a.w) compromised in his dealings with those who disobeyed the commands of Allah (s.w.t). The Prophet (s.a.w) did not immediately punish those involved in the sin. Instead, the Prophet (s.a.w) would advise them not to repeat the offence.

Brothers and sisters, 

When a person commits a sin, it does not make him a disbeliever. The sin that was done does not prevent him from getting forgiveness and mercy from Allah (s.w.t). No matter how big the mistake or sin committed, the door of repentance is always open for those who are sincere. Allah (s.w.t) said:

Which means: “Those who avoid major sins and shameful deeds, despite stumbling upon minor sins. Surely your Lord is infinite in forgiveness. He knew well what would become of you as He created you from the earth and while you were still foetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure. He is most knowing of who is truly righteous. (Surah al-Najm, verse 32)

Apart from calling people towards goodness, this verse also reminds us not to feel superior to those who have wronged because only Allah (s.w.t) knows who is more pious towards Him.

May Allah (s.w.t.) forgive our sins and grant us His taufiq to constantly be on the path that pleases Him. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin. 

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.