Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Friday Sermon
28 January 2022 / 25 Jamadilakhir 1443H
Faith and Effort
Brothers and sisters,
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) ease our affairs and grant us strength in overcoming the challenges in this life. Amin.
Brothers and sisters
A believer who strongly believes in the assistance of Allah (s.w.t.) will view the difficulties he faces in a positive light. This is because dependence upon Allah (s.w.t.) will calm the heart and instil strength in the soul, allowing us to go through life that is filled with tests and challenges.
Indeed, it is important to remain hopeful of Allah’s assistance in our life. It should be coupled with our effort in finding solutions for the challenges we face. Both should be balanced accordingly, and this is the key for us to receive assistance from Allah (s.w.t.).
Brothers and sisters,
Alhamdulillah, we are grateful towards Allah for all His blessings. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our lives, including our religious activities, the safety measures implemented are part of our efforts to ensure that life can continue, despite certain changes and adjustments. This is aligned with the principles of our religion, that always seek to provide solution and ease to mankind. Allah decrees in the Quran:
Which means: “Allah wants to make ease for all of you, and mankind was created in a stake of weakness.” (Surah an-Nisa’: 28)
Allah (s.w.t.) also decrees in surah al-Haj, verse 78:
Which means: “… And We did not create you this religion as a burden.”
Such is the religion of Islam. It is a religion that is based upon principles and deeds that bring success and peace to every aspect of our life. When a person is facing a situation that will cause harm, the religion will grant space and ways for the purpose of preserving life, religion, health, as well as individual and communal safety.
Therefore, everyone must understand the religious guidance on facing this ongoing pandemic. Although this religion grants concession in the form of rukhsah, at the same time, the religion also advocates for us to make the necessary changes and effort.
Brothers and sisters,
As long as there are limited prayer spaces in the mosques, concession (the law of rukhsah) is still relevant and needs to be observed. Especially with the recent developments showing the emergence of new variants, such as Omicron, that is more infectious and easier to spread around the world, including Singapore. Steps to ensure our safety remain necessary. It has been proven that the effort which has the best impact for now is for every individual that is capable, to be responsible and get vaccinated for the sake of protecting themselves, their family, and the community.
This is aligned with the following religious principle:
ما لا يتم الواجب إلا به فهو واجب
Which means: “An obligation that is unable to be done except with the implementation of a matter, that matter is considered obligatory too.”
The Friday Prayer is a religious obligation, hence each individual has to ensure two main things. The first is to be vaccinated as how it is required, so that he will be able to perform congregational prayers including Friday Prayers in the mosques. Also, every Muslim men must make an effort to register themselves for Friday prayer slots every week. If a person is unsuccessful in booking a slot to perform Friday prayers, only then can the rukhsah, or concession be applicable to him. This is the true understanding and implementation regarding the concept of rukhsah, or concession to be excused from the obligation of Friday prayers in our current situation.
Let us pray that Allah ease our affairs and accept all our good deeds. May Allah deliver us from these challenges as fast as possible, as well as grant us and this country continuous safety. Amin. Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ
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.
Brothers and sisters,
Faith inspires us to bring goodness to others around us, and there are many opportunities for us to do so. The Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) is still accepting donations for communities affected by the floods in Malaysia until 30 January 2022.
The floods had resulted in the displacement of thousands. The severe and widespread property damage has also resulted in loss of income and impacted livelihoods. Your donations will help provide basic household needs and support those in need. Information on the donation can be found on Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) website.
Let us contribute as much help as possible, to the best of our abilities. May Allah s.w.t. ease the burden of those affected and grant them strength and patience. Amin.
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.
