Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

7 August 2026 / 23 Safar 1448H

Ihsan: Manifesting Gratitude Through Excellence

Dear blessed Friday congregation,

Let us strive to deepen our taqwa to Allah s.w.t. by fulfilling all His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. May He make us among His servants who consistently embody and practice ihsan throughout our lives. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

My dear brothers,

Today's sermon invites us to reflect upon the words of Allah s.w.t. in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 77:

Which means: "...and do good as Allah has been good to you..."

My brothers, this verse establishes a core principle of our faith, that is the value of ihsan. It tells us that every act of goodness we do should be an expression of our gratitude for the countless blessings Allah has showered upon us.

Indeed, every day, we step out to earn our livelihood with peace of mind. Our spouses are safe and sound. Our children head to school and return home in safety, without us having to worry too much about their security.

The doors of our mosques are always wide open for us to prostrate and seek Allah’s mercy. The very peace, quiet, and safety we feel when walking to the mosque late at night, or in the early hours of the morning, is a gift that has been tragically lost to many others in different parts of the world.

So let us look within ourselves and ask sincerely: Is it truly enough to show our gratitude by merely whispering "Alhamdulillah" by the tip of our tongues?

My dear brothers,

In a famous narration, Rasulullah s.a.w. said that which means: "Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot see Him, (then know that) He indeed sees you."

And in another hadith recorded by Imam Muslim, Rasulullah s.a.w. also said that which means: "Indeed, Allah has prescribed ihsan in all things..."

Scholars explain that the teachings of ihsan in these narrations are meant to cultivate a constant sense of awareness of Allah. When we carry this awareness in our hearts, we naturally strive to perfect everything we do and constantly reach for excellence.

This means that wherever a believer may be, whether at the mosque, the workplace, the classroom, or in public spaces, we are called to always display excellence.

An employee who is a believer does not work hard simply to gain acknowledgement from his superiors. A student who is a believer does not study hard only when exams are approaching. Instead, a believer always approaches every duty with utmost dedication for two reasons: they know that Allah is always watching, and they hope sincerely for His pleasure.

Dear congregation,

Our ihsan is truly perfected when it brings value and benefit to others. This is especially important in our interdependent society.

After all, our shared peace, progress, and well-being are built upon the collective efforts of every single one of us, by the grace of Allah s.w.t. This is the manifestation of ihsan.

Rasulullah s.a.w. reminded us: "The people most beloved to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others." (Narrated by At-Tabrani)

This is the true face of Islam. Our goodness or ihsan should know no boundaries of familiarity, race, culture, or lineage. When we become a believer who shows empathy, an employee who is trustworthy, or a person who spreads goodness to the community, that is our true contribution. That is how we truly thank Allah s.w.t. for the immense blessings we enjoy today.

My fellow brothers,

To apply this value of ihsan, let us focus on two practical steps:

First: Cultivating ihsan in the face of adversity

The quality of ihsan within a believer should manifest in both hardship and ease. When we see those around us facing challenges, ihsan calls us to step forward to offer solutions and genuine support.

In fact, when new challenges emerge in our society, we should never hesitate to work together to find answers. We see this beautifully reflected in our educators and asatizah who patiently nurture our community, and in our Fatwa institution which carefully studies and offers timely guidance to help us navigate today’s challenges.

Second: Extending our service and kindness

Indeed, it is only natural that our priority is to care for ourselves and our families. However, if we find ourselves blessed with an abundance of wealth, time, or expertise, let us expand our range of contribution. Do not let goodness stop with us only. Share and contribute these blessings so they can form a continuous chain of kindness and bring lasting benefit.

My beloved brothers,

To bring the value of ihsan to life, let us strive to be a force for good wherever we may be, in whatever role we play, by the grace of Allah s.w.t.

As He beautifully reminds us in Surah Ar-Rahman, verse 60:

Which means: "Is there any reward for goodness other than goodness?"

May Allah s.w.t. grant us steadfastness and strength to always do good, bless our every effort, and preserve us in a state of peace, harmony, and well-being. Amin, ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

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