Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
10 January 2025 / 10 Rajab 1446H
Making Preparations for Tomorrow
Dear blessed congregation,
Be truly mindful of Allah s.w.t. with true taqwa. Obey His commands and avoid His prohibitions. Use our time and life in this world as a preparation for the hereafter. May we become true servants of Allah, who firmly believe in and constantly remember the afterlife. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Dear blessed congregation,
The sermon today will discuss the importance of preparing for the akhirah or the hereafter, which every one of us will surely face.
At the start of the year, many have set new resolutions and goals to achieve throughout the year. Some may aim to improve themselves by pursuing further studies, embark on a new career, or start a family, among other plans.
However, in our eagerness to plan for our future, there may be uncertainty and concern about whether our aspirations will eventually be achieved. While we are encouraged to plan and strive for our goals, the reality is that only Allah s.w.t. knows the outcome.
Allah s.w.t. mentions in Surah Luqman, verse 34:
Which mean: "And no one knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no one knows in which land he will die. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing and All-Aware."
Such is the reality of our lives. Our time and lives are a temporary gift from Allah. With this limited time, we are entrusted to manage our lives guided by the teachings of Islam. As we continue to prepare for an uncertain future on this Earth, we must not forget the certain ‘tomorrow’ — that is death and the eternal hereafter.
Imam Hasan al-Basri r.a. once remarked: "I have never seen something so certain yet regarded by people as doubtful and uncertain. That thing is death."
Reflect, my dear brothers. Each passing day brings us closer to the end of our lives. Yet, many remain too occupied in worldly matters, neglecting preparations for the hereafter.
In the Quran, Allah s.w.t. demonstrates the closeness of the hereafter by referring to it as ‘ghad’, which means ‘tomorrow’. Allah mentions in Surah Al-Hasyr, verse 18:
Which means: "O you who believe, fear Allah! And let every soul consider what it has put forth for tomorrow — and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do."
Dear blessed congregation,
This verse repeats the mention of taqwa twice. Scholars have explained that the first command of taqwa refers to self-reflection and seeking forgiveness for our past deeds, while the second command of taqwa emphasises our future actions, that it should always be guided by an awareness that Allah oversees everything we do.
Only with iman and taqwa adorning our character, we hope to return to Allah and meet Him on the Day of Judgment in a state of goodness.
As we prepare for the certain tomorrow — that is the hereafter — a Muslim can take the following steps:
First: Correct our perception by believing that the hereafter is near.
Imagine, as described in the Quran, that the Day of Judgment will happen tomorrow. Would we still conduct ourselves as we usually do today?
A believer who is aware of the significance of the hereafter will strive to improve their deeds and actions, both in worship and in their interactions with others.
The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said which means: "When you perform the prayer, pray as if you are about to depart from this world. Do not say something you will regret tomorrow, and do not hope for what others possess." (Reported by Ibn Majah)
Secondly: Remind our families about the hereafter.
Certainly, we all aspire for a good and blissful future with our families. We aim to provide them with quality education, positive life experiences, and provide care for those who are unwell, hoping for their recovery.
However, do not let our efforts focus solely on worldly accomplishments while neglecting the importance of the hereafter. Convey reminders with wisdom that touches the heart. Advise them that the value of life is not confined to this fleeting world. Lead by example, so they understand the true meaning of eternal success and happiness.
My dear brothers,
Let us reflect and evaluate how prepared we are to face the hereafter. May we be among those who succeed in preparing for the eternal life. Remember, preparing for the afterlife does not mean neglecting this world. Instead, it means making this world a ground for planting seeds so that it bears fruit in the hereafter.
May Allah s.w.t. grant us guidance and strength to always remain on the straight path, and unite us with our loved ones in His Paradise. 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
