Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
4 February 2022 / 2 Rejab
Instilling Gratitude
Brothers and sisters,
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us a place in His paradise. Amin.
Brothers and sisters,
The best of stories that a believer should emulate and follow is the stories of the Prophets that have been told to us in the Quran. These stories are filled with guidance and good morals that we should strive to emulate in our lives.
The title of the sermon today is instilling gratitude. Hence, let us reflect and take lessons from the story of Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.), a Prophet of Allah who was granted a glorious kingdom to rule.
Brothers and sisters,
Allah (s.w.t.) says in surah Al-Naml, verse 15:
Which means: “And indeed We had certainly given to David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, "Praise [is due] to Allah, who has favoured us over many of His faithful servants."
Amongst the reasons why Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.) was described in the Quran as knowledgeable and wise is because he knew the reality of the favours that Allah has given him and used them in the right and appropriate situations. When someone realizes that the favours granted by Allah is merely a loan, he will definitely channel them in a way that pleases Allah (s.w.t.). That is the reality of true gratitude. Thankfulness is not just expressed with our tongues by reciting “Alhamdulillah”. But thankfulness is to use the favours accordingly so that we may attain the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). What benefit would it be to someone who has a lot of wealth if he chooses to ignore other people’s needs and rights? Such an attitude will only be a trial for him in this world, and an evidence against him in the Hereafter.
Brothers and Sisters,
Who amongst us do not wish to be constantly bestowed with His favours? Let us remember that the key to that is to be grateful to Allah (s.w.t.) by using these favours according to what is pleasing to Him (s.w.t.). What a waste it would be if these favours were to be used in disobedience of Allah (s.w.t.).
This is one of the meanings mentioned in Surah Ibrahim verse 7:
Which means: “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'
Brothers and sisters,
The favours that Allah (s.w.t.) grants us is not limited to material wealth or high status. However, there are things that we often overlooked or take for granted such as the peace and harmony that we enjoy in Singapore, or our health – all these are blessings that we should treasure and be thankful for.
Moreover, the Prophet (s.a.w.) taught us to avoid comparing ourselves with others, in regard to Allah’s favours. This is to avoid us from feeling inadequate or unhappy with what Allah (s.w.t.) has granted to us. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you. While doing so, you will not belittle the favours that Allah (s.w.t.) has granted to you.” (Hadis narrated by al-Tirmizi)
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) taught us to always appreciate the favours that Allah (s.w.t.) has granted us rather than focusing on what we lack and comparing ourselves to those who have more. This is to instill in us a sense of gratitude with what He has bestowed upon us.
Before we end, let us reflect and recite the doa taught by Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.) where he asked to always be in a state of gratitude towards the favours of Allah (s.w.t.) and utilize them in His obedience:
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Which means: “Oh my Lord, bestow upon me guidance to always be grateful for Your Favours that you have granted me and to my parents, and (guidance) for me to do righteous deeds that are pleasing to You, and place me with Your Mercy with Your righteous servants”
May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us guidance to always show our gratitude for His favours and place us amongst His righteous servants who are always grateful. 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.
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.
