Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

30 June 2023 / 11 Zulhijjah 1444H

Having Empathy: Taking Care of Foster Children

 

My beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all His orders, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us to have compassion and empathy in our actions. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.

Congregants who are beloved to Allah,

Among the things emphasised by our religion is the need to show compassion towards others, regardless towards the old or the young people, or whether we are related by blood or not - we should display care and concern towards everyone, at all times.

In a narration by Imam Muslim, there was an instance when Abu Dzar (r.a.) was about to cook. At that point, our Prophet (s.a.w.) advised Abu Dzar (r.a.) that he should add more water to the broth, so that it can then be given to the neighbours as well. 

Although it may seem as though the guidance provided by the Prophet (s.a.w.) was rather simple and straightforward, it contains an important lesson - it shows us that our religion teaches us to always think about those around us.

This is important for us to take note of, because all too often, we tend to be self-centered, to the extent that we overlook other people. Some of us are also sometimes quick to judge, and look down on individuals who are different from us. However, the virtue of empathy encourages us to observe, to listen, and to try to put ourselves in other people’s shoes, so that we may better understand what they are going through.

My brothers and sisters, 

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is indeed the best exemplar for us. If we observe the life of our Prophet (s.a.w.), we will notice how he would always try to make life easier for those in need. Not only is he a great teacher, he is also an excellent exemplar for us to learn from and to emulate.

For example, there was an episode concerning his cousin and son-in-law, Sayyiduna Ali bin Abi Talib (r.a). At that time, the Quraysh were facing grave financial difficulty. Abu Talib, the father of Sayyiduna Ali and the Prophet’s uncle, was consequently affected as he had a big family and there were many who were dependent on him.

After looking at the hardships that Abu Talib was experiencing, our Prophet (s.a.w.) felt great empathy and took a noble initiative. He decided to take care of Ali bin Abi Talib (r.a.) himself. Eventually, Ali bin Abi Talib (r.a.) also believed in Allah (s.w.t.) and believed in the message brought by our Prophet (s.a.w.). He even became one of the most important individuals involved in the spread of Islam.

Such was the beauty of the Prophet's (s.a.w.) character. He constantly and consistently displayed empathy to those around him. Having that empathy is one of the definitions of success whenever we do any good deeds, no matter how big or small it is. Allah (s.w.t.) says in Surah al-Hajj, verse 77:

Which means: “O believers! Bow down, prostrate yourselves (in prayer), worship your Lord (as the one and only God), and do what is good so that you may be successful (in this world and the Hereafter).”

My beloved fellow Muslims,

Our circumstances and capabilities vary greatly from one another. Some of us may be tested with hardships and obstacles in our lives, while others may be given ease and comfort. Therefore, for those who have been granted ease in their lives, it is actually a golden opportunity for them to step up, and to extend help to those in need.

On this occasion, let us recall the story I spoke of earlier, regarding the Prophet (s.a.w.) taking care of his young cousin Sayyiduna Ali (r.a), in order to help his family members who were in need. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, let us reflect, is there any room for us to take in foster children? To provide them shelter, love, and a stable family environment?

For example, there are children who are neglected and abandoned by their own parents. There are also children whose parents are neither capable nor qualified to take care of them, while these children are in dire need of a safe home, as well as a family that can meet their daily needs.

The question then is this: What role can we play towards these children? For those of us whom Allah has blessed with ease and comfort in our lives, let us consider fostering such children. Remember that even though they are not our own children, we will surely earn a great reward for our efforts in taking care of them. In addition, by giving these children an opportunity to experience love in a safe and stable family environment, the future of these children will be more secure. InshaAllah.

May Allah guide us to be trustworthy people who carry out our responsibilities well. And may we be of His servants who are always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, so that we will be able to achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. 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.