Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

13 October 2023 / 27 Rabiulawal 1445H

Following in the Footsteps of the Prophet Safeguarding Prosperity and Peace

Brothers and sisters,

Let us together elevate our piety towards Allah (s.w.t) by obeying His commandments and abstaining from His prohibitions. Let us continue to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and his guidance in this life, which will surely lead to prosperity and happiness in this world and the hereafter, InsyaAllah.

 

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are still in the month of Rabiul Awal. Let us reflect on how the Prophet (s.a.w) always instilled the foundations of prosperity and peace for all of humanity at all times and in all circumstances. Indeed, this is one of the keys to Allah's (s.w.t) paradise. Let us heed the following Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w):

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ: أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ، وَصِلُوا الأَرْحَامَ، وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ، تَدْخُلُوا الجَنَّةَ بِسَلَامٍ

Which means: “O mankind, spread peace, feed the hungry, maintain family ties, and pray at night when people sleep, and you will enter paradise in peace." [Hadith narrated by Imam Tirmizi]

Let us take a moment to reflect on the historical context in the city of Medina when this hadith was narrated. At that time, Medina was filled with conflicts and disputes between factions that resulted in violence. However, the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as a leader of a diverse nation, faced this great challenge and strove to unite the people of Medina and Mecca, fostering lasting integration and peace.

The question is, how did the Prophet (s.a.w) manage these differences and conflicts? What approach did he take? The answer lies in the first part of this Hadith, which emphasizes the importance of spreading peace within the community. It is a lesson that directly relates to how we handle differences, whether within our own community or beyond it.

Brothers and sisters,

Let us ponder upon the meaning of "Afshu al-Salam," the commandment to spread peace as far and wide as possible to all of humanity. Even when faced with the height of conflict or war, the Quran teaches us to prioritise peace whenever possible. Allah (s.w.t) says in Surah al-Anfal, verse 61:

Which means: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah. Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.”

Brothers and sisters,

Allah speaks to us in the Quran,

Which means: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” [Al-Furqan: 63]

This verse depicts the noble attitude of true servants of Allah, who respond to ignorance with peace and kindness. Let us not forget that the word "Salam" carries a deeper meaning than just a greeting. It reflects the goodness in our every action, word, and reaction to events around us, especially when those actions challenge our religious values and principles.

My dear brothers and sisters,

It is on this basis that we practise our religion and shape our religious life. Our Muslim community cherishes peace and truly values the blessing of Salam. Therefore, when we hear pain and suffering whether in communities have experienced natural calamities and disasters like the recent floods in Libya and the most recent earthquake in Afghanistan and now the victims of conflict and war in Palestine, our souls, nurtured on values of respect and compassion, will undoubtedly feel restless, anxious, sad, and even angry. Especially when innocent lives are lost, when children become orphans in the blink of an eye, and when homes are destroyed in an instant. These tragedies and especially one that is induced by human action affect all of humanity. In the case of violence, aggression and oppression, they clash with our values and identity as Muslims and they contradict the teachings and guidance of our religion.

Therefore, in this very difficult moment for humanity, we must continue to cleanse our souls and get rid of all forms of hatred and enmity towards others and fill our souls with greater compassion, kindness and mercy.  

We must increase our prayers to Allah (s.w.t) to restore peace and eliminate all forms of cruelty and oppression. Let us pray that those involve in conflict will will be shown courage and compassion to resolve their differences by peaceful means. Let us raise our hands and humble ourselves to pray for Allah (s.w.t) to restore tranquility, peace, and prosperity to this world. 

We pray to Allah especially for those who have lost their lives, and have been victim of these tragedies. May Allah give their families, communities the strength and resillience to overcome these challenges. Ameen 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.

Brothers and sisters,

The Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) is conducting a donation drive to support humanitarian relief efforts in response to devastating floods in Libya.

The country’s deadliest in over a century, the flooding has resulted in the loss of more than 4,000 lives and affected more than 250,000 people.

Your contributions will support the immediate needs of those affected including emergency shelter, medical supplies and equipment as well as protection interventions such as psychosocial support.

You may donate via the donation boxes in this mosque which indicate collection for Libya floods.

More information can also be found on the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Foundation (RLAF) website.

May Allah (s.w.t) alleviate the burden they face and give them strength and perseverance in facing this trial. Ameen.

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 يا رب العالمين، اللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبِ السَّلَامَةَ وَالعَافِيَةَ لَنَا وَلـِجَمِيْعِ الْبُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً وانْصُرِ الـمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِي كُلِّ مَكَان، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين.

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.