Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
22 December 2023 / 9 Jamadil Akhir 1445H
Moderation in Life
My blessed Friday congregants,
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by fulfilling all His commands, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May we be among His blessed servants. Amin.
Dear congregants,
Islam places the importance for its followers to pursue and enhance their knowledge. The knowledge referred to here is one that is beneficial and encourages individuals to contribute to the well-being and benefit of society.
With knowledge embedded in the heart, it serves to enlighten the mind and soul of individuals to have a better perspective in evaluating and deciding on matters. This is crucial as knowledge broadens one's thinking, enabling them to distinguish between good and bad. Indeed, deep knowledge empowers individuals to discern between two goods to determine what is more beneficial for the individual and society. This is known as moderation.
Regarding moderation, Allah (s.w.t.) has provided us with guidance through His words in Surah al-Qasas, verse 77, which states:
Which means: "Seek through that which Allah has given you, the home of the hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good to others as Allah has done good to you. Do not seek to spread corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."
The verse signifies that a wise believer should know how to place things in its appropriate time and place. This includes maintaining balance when making decisions in daily affairs as a father, mother, grandparent, child, student, worker, and so on. Indeed, we need to pay more attention to this principle in our religious practices to ensure that our character and behaviour do not lead to misunderstandings about the sanctity of Allah's religion.
An incident recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari narrates that a companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) once left the congregational prayer as he felt overwhelmed by the lengthy recitation led by one of them. Concerned if his action of leaving the congregational prayer could classify him as a hypocrite, the companion brought this matter to the attention of the Prophet (s.a.w.). In response, the Prophet (s.a.w.) met with the companion who led the prayer and reminded him to lighten or shorten the prayer he led. There were certainly among the congregation those who were weak and elderly. Yet, he was recommended to prolong his prayer if he prayed alone.
Dear congregants,
As a Muslim, surely we want to be the best servants dedicated to Allah (s.w.t.). We strive to deepen our religious knowledge to fulfil our responsibility better. We endeavour to perform not only the obligatory worship, but also all recommended acts of worship as best as possible.
However, in our effort to attain piety towards Allah (s.w.t.), we need to be fair to ourselves and those around us. Excessive or inappropriate practices based on one's circumstances are to be avoided. Islam prioritises ease, and our actions should not cause hardship or even harm to ourselves or others due to a lack of understanding of religious knowledge.
Let us reflect the advice of the Prophet (s.a.w.) to a companion who continuously fasted and prayed at night. He said: "O Abdullah, have I not been informed that you fast during the day and get up at night for prayer." Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet then said:
فَلَا تَفْعَلْ، صُمْ وأَفْطِرْ، قُمْ وَنَمْ، فَإنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وإنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وإنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
Which means: "Do not do that. Fast and break your fast, pray and sleep, for your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you, and your wife has a right over you." (Hadith Muttafaq 'alaih).
Dear brothers and sisters,
There are two lessons to be drawn from the hadith just mentioned.
Firstly, the Prophet (s.a.w.) teaches us to be moderate in fulfilling our responsibilities as a Muslim. We should not be too preoccupied with worldly matters to the extent that matters of the hereafter are forgotten. At the same time, we should also not solely focus on ritual worship to the neglect of our worldly responsibilities, rights, and duties.
Secondly, a wise Muslim will balance the demands of religion and their worldly life. In this regard, Allah (s.w.t.) has taught us a prayer that, when recited and understood, serves as a practical guide for achieving this balance. Allah's words in the Noble Quran state:
Which means: "And among them who say, “Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.'" (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 201)
Brothers and sisters,
Let us strive together to embrace the principles of moderation and balance in our lives. With genuine and blessed knowledge, may we be able to balance our religious obligations and our wordly affairs to the best of our abilities. May Allah (s.w.t.) bless all our efforts and deeds, and bestow upon us peace and happiness 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 تَسلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ 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، يَا رَبَّ 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.
