Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Khutbah Jumaat
10 November 2023 / 26 Rabi’ul Akhir 1445H
Islam Rejects All Forms of Oppression
Respected Friday congregation,
Let us increase our piety towards Allah (s.w.t.) by following His commands and abstaining His prohibitions. May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us to be among those who always follow His guidance. Ameen.
Respected brothers and sisters,
I would like to bring all of us to reflect on the meaning and teachings behind this Hadith Qudsi. Allah (s.w.t.) says:
يَا عِبَادِي، إِنِّيْ حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِيْ وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوْا
Which means: "O My servants, I have prohibited myself from oppression and have made it unlawful for you, so do not oppress one another." [Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim].
Brothers and sisters,
The lessons behind the Hadith that I just read are very important for us to reflect upon. It is related to how Islam rejects all forms of oppression. Because Allah (s.w.t.) is the Most Just, He rejects all forms of oppression, even upon Himself. Allah always acts justly towards all of His creations. This is because oppression blatantly contradicts the main principle of Shari’ah, which is the principle of justice. Therefore, all forms of oppression and violence against human beings, especially against human life, are completely rejected by the religion. Let us reflect Allah's (s.w.t.) words regarding the value of human life:
Which means: “On account of his deed, We decreed to the Children of Israel that if anyone kills a person, it is as if he kills all mankind, while if anyone saves a life, it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind. Our messengers came to them with clear signs, but many of them continued to commit excesses in the land. [Surah al-Ma'idah verse 32].
Brothers and sisters,
Acts of violence and oppression are something that is regrettable and unacceptable to any human being who possess a sense of justice and fairness. It is an intrinsic nature which Allah (s.w.t.) has created within every human being. Humans who act based on this nature will always seek and prioritise peace and oppose oppression. This instinct is always inclined to seek solutions and harmony rather than live in endless conflict. It is the main principle emphasised by Islam. It is not something that is idealistic. Rather, this has been achieved, experienced, and implemented perfectly under the leadership of our Prophet (s.a.w.).
However, the reality we see today is that the world is still in constant turmoil with ongoing wars, conflicts, and hostilities among human beings. In some situations, it leads to a loss of respect towards religion and tradition.
We are certainly upset and heartbroken when we witness the loss of lives, including the weak among the elderly, women, babies, and young children. Houses, schools, hospitals, everything is destroyed, and with it, hopes and futures are shattered.
Therefore, the Prophet (s.a.w.) taught us that in any situation, including in war, women, children, the weak, even trees and plants, and even places of worship of other religions, cannot be oppressed or damaged. We ask Allah (s.w.t.) to keep us away from having the attitude of those who dare to act oppressively and violate the universal values that constitute one of the core teachings of Islam. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.
Brothers and sisters,
Islam does not prohibit its followers from expressing sadness and voicing concerns. Even the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself expressed sadness and sorrow at the death of his son, Ibrahim.
Therefore, what should we as believers do when faced with a situation that is painful and unpleasant to us?
What religion commands is to ensure that all reactions and feelings are directed towards a positive direction in line with the guidance of religion. That is the teaching and attitude of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in all situations - whether when he was in difficult situations or oppressed, or when he was at ease and in power. He never chose the path of hatred, oppression, or violence. Instead, he instructed us to remain steadfast on the path of mercy, kindness, and goodness.
Brothers and sisters,
The number of victims from conflicts around the world today proves how innocent and guilty people will suffer and be affected without the implementation of justice and virtue.
It teaches us the importance of preserving justice in all aspects of life, crucially when we are filled with anger and facing harsh disputes. Anger should never be a reason for someone to lose all consideration and rational thinking, or to be oppressive.
Therefore, the Prophet (s.a.w.) once advised in a hadith narrated by Imam Al-Tabrani, which means: "Three things that save: (The first) Being fair when angry or calm. (The second) Being moderate when poor or rich. (The third) feeling afraid of Allah when alone or with others."
Dear congregants,
Let us take this opportunity on this blessed day and place to raise our hands and pray to Allah (s.w.t.). Let us turn to Him again. Direct our hearts to Him, so that Allah (s.w.t.) will grant peace, restore safety, and grant patience and perseverance to the people of Palestine. Return the peace, Ya Allah. Return the safety, Ya Rahman. Give them guidance and a way out, Ya Rahim.
Let us also pray that Allah (s.w.t.) will maintain the peace that we enjoy in our country. May Allah guide us and always protect us. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
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. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين. اللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ 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.
