Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
27 December 2024 / 25 Jamadil Akhir 1446H
Improving Habits and Routines
Dear blessed congregation,
Let us continue to strengthen our taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. with sincerity and conviction. Taqwa which becomes our guard against all evil and a spark for goodness, guiding us toward eternal success. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Respected congregation,
Today's sermon will discuss the importance of improving our habits and routines, taking heed from our religious guidance.
My brothers, Islam views our routines and habits as means for us to develop self-discipline. For instance, the daily performing of the five obligatory prayers, the weekly practice of attending Friday prayers, and the annual fasting in Ramadan – these routines train our souls to be more mindful and self-disciplined. Each of these practices are meant to guide us toward righteousness and help us manage our time wisely, avoiding activities that transgress Allah's commands.
Paying conscious attention to shaping our habits and routines will impact how we utilise the blessing of time granted by Allah s.w.t. A good Mukmin or believer always seeks to fill their free time with beneficial activities. This is in line with the divine guidance in Surah Al-Insyirah, verse 7:
Which means: "So when you are free (from your duties), then stand up (for devotion)."
We are urged not to let time pass without engaging in acts of goodness. Once a task is completed, we should look for other beneficial activities to do. However, this does not mean we cannot rest, as rest is also necessary to ensure we remain energised to further perform good deeds. Rest is also a right of our body and mind, both entrusted to us by Allah.
Honoured congregation,
A Mukmin must pay attention to how they spend their time. A servant of Allah should feel uneasy when time passes without being utilised effectively. Reflect on the wise words attributed to a companion of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. named Ibn Mas‘ud r.a.:
"There is nothing I regret more, than when the sun sets and my life decreases, while my deeds have not increased."
An Arabic proverb further reminds us, "Time is a matter of breaths which will never return." Reflect, my dear brothers. How much of our time has passed? And how much of it has been spent in a non-beneficial manner, either for this world or the Hereafter?
During this year-end period, many of us take the opportunity to rest with our families and reenergise before resuming our work or studies in the coming year. This is also a good period to reflect on how we manage our time, improve our daily habits, and start new, beneficial routines.
My dear brothers,
To improve our daily routines and elevate our productivity as Muslims, here are some steps we can take:
First: Identify and minimise distractions that take away our focus.
We live in an age full of distractions. Excessive use of electronic devices, social media, and endless entertainment often lead to our time being wasted. Let us consciously limit our usage of such devices or outlets. Allocate specific times to detach from them, and fill that time with beneficial activities such as reading, exercising, strengthening our family bonds, improving our focus or khusyuk in worship, or self-improvement.
This is the attitude of a true Mukmin, who consciously avoids lagha, or things which bring them no benefit. Allah says in Surah Al-Mukminun, verses 1-3:
Which means: "Indeed, successful are the believers, those who humble themselves and concentrate in prayer, and who turn away from idle talk."
Second: Set clear and realistic goals.
Any change must begin with the right intention. Start with modest but consistent steps. The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said in a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah:
"Do deeds according to your ability, for the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done consistently, even if they are small."
Start with simple daily practices, such as reciting morning and evening dhikr, reading a few verses of the Qur'an after prayers, or making an effort to pray in congregation at the mosque. Fill our free time with activities that enrich our knowledge or by serving the community.
My dear brothers,
Time is a great blessing and a trust from Allah that we must utilise wisely. Let us not be among those who regret wasting the precious time granted to them.
As believers, we are taught to continuously improve ourselves and strive to be better than we were yesterday. Let us resolve to develop positive habits, avoid non-beneficial matters, and use our time wisely, in a way that bring goodness to our lives.
May Allah grant us the strength and guidance to improve our daily habits so we may become better Mukmin, in order to achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، 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 تَسْلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.
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، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبِ السِّلْمَ وَالسَّلاَمَ وَالأَمْنَ وَالأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ كُلِّهِ وَلِلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ. 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 يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُم، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
