Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

23 October 2026 / 12 Jamadilawal 1448H

Facing Environmental Challenges with Faith

Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,

Let us have taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. by obeying all His commands and staying away from all that He has prohibited. May Allah grant us the strength and resilience to face whatever challenges life may bring. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

 

Dear blessed congregation,

Our skies have been shrouded in thick, persistent haze. What was once a clear and bright sky turned gloomy and dark. Yet, as believers who constantly seek wisdom in life, we must not allow these gloomy conditions to cloud our hearts and minds. Instead, let us reflect: What reminders and lessons can we draw from this situation? Reflect upon the words of Allah s.w.t. in Surah Ar-Rahman, verses 7 to 8:

Which mean: “And the heaven He raised and set the balance, so that you do not transgress in the balance.”

 

Blessed congregation,

Islam has long emphasised the importance of caring for the environment, well before the modern world began discussing environmental sustainability and climate change. The Quran and Sunnah teach us that the Earth and the air around us are trusts from Allah that we must protect. As believers, we should be at the forefront of efforts to preserve the environment. This responsibility should not merely be a seasonal slogan, but a reflection of our faith and devotion to Allah s.w.t.

In light of the recent haze, it is only natural that we seek to understand its causes and find solutions to prevent it from happening again. Yet, amid these challenges, let us not feel as though there is nothing we can do. Each of us still has a part to play in bringing about positive change, even through the simplest of efforts.

Remember the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., which mean: “If the Day of Judgement is about to begin, and one of you has a sapling in his hand, then if he is able to plant it before the Hour arrives, let him plant it.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

Subhanallah! No matter how small our contribution may seem, Islam teaches us to continue sowing the seeds of goodness and never lose hope, even when we do not see immediate results.

 

Beloved congregation,

Guided by the teachings of our faith, let us reflect on three meaningful steps we can take in facing today's challenging weather and climate conditions.

 

First: Reflect on our lifestyles

In Surah Ar-Rum, verse 41, Allah s.w.t. reminds us that destruction on Earth has emerged as a result of what the hands of man have done. Indeed, our everyday choices, such as excessive spending habits, energy use, and the wasting of resources, also contribute to environmental harm. Let us therefore practise responsibility and moderation in our daily lives.

 

Second: Understand the religious concessions (rukhsah) in worship

Dear brothers, Islam does not impose undue hardship upon us. In a hadith narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim, Rasulullah s.a.w. instructed the muazzin to call upon people to perform their prayers in their homes during extremely cold or rainy weather.

Similarly, when weather conditions pose a threat to health, such as during severe haze, Islam provides concessions that allow us to perform our prayers at home rather than at the mosque. This is especially important for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and those with existing health conditions. Applying these concessions is not a sign of weak faith. Rather, it reflects our understanding of the objectives of Islamic law, particularly the preservation of life.

 

Third: Cultivate compassion and mercy towards others

Challenging weather conditions not only test our personal resilience, but also call upon us to show greater concern for those around us. Let us look after the well-being of our family members, neighbours, and the wider community. For instance, let us show kindness and consideration towards food delivery riders who continue working tirelessly despite the hazy conditions. Offer assistance wherever possible, and strive to ease the difficulties faced by others.

May our compassion and kindness towards fellow dwellers of this Earth make us worthy of the boundless mercy of Allah, the Lord of all worlds. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

 

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