Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

21 July 2023 / 3 Muharram 1445H

Navigating The Changing World Through Knowledge

Beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us strive to increase our piety towards Allah (s.w.t) by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. May we become individuals who constantly strive to improve ourselves so that we can contribute positively to society. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

Beloved brothers and sisters,

Let us observe the following hadith by the Prophet (s.a.w): 

عَلَى اَلْعَاقِلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ بَصِيراً فِي زَمَانِهِ مُقْبِلاً عَلَى شَأْنِهِ حَافِظاً لِلِسَانِهِ

Which means: “A wise person should be aware of their time, diligent in their affairs, and guard their tongue” [Hadith narrated by Ibn Hibban].

Although this hadith is brief, it conveys valuable teachings and values. The Prophet (s.a.w) encourages us to stay informed about the developments of our time, as change is an inevitable part of the passing of time. What was once considered normal in the past may no longer be the norm now. 

The rapid advancement of technology is a key example of this. While it brings many opportunities, it also requires us to remain vigilant of these changes and adapt accordingly. Moreover, it is also our responsibility to equip the next generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to confront these challenges.

These are the things that occupy the minds of those who are aware of the developments of their time. This awareness fosters individuals who strive to equip themselves with relevant knowledge and continuously improve their understanding.

Brothers,

Let us reflect upon the word of Allah (s.w.t):

Which means: “Oh believers! When you are asked to make space in gatherings, then do so, in order for Allah to make space for you. And when you are asked to rise up, then rise up. Allah will raise the believers among you and those who have been given knowledge to high ranks. And Allah is aware of what you do.” (Al-Mujadilah: 11) 

This verse highlights that Allah (s.w.t) honors individuals through knowledge. Knowledge serves as a beacon of guidance in our lives. The knowledge that flourishes within us not only benefits ourselves but also contributes to the betterment of society.

It is important to note that Allah (s.w.t) does not confine knowledge to religious or Shariah knowledge exclusively. Rather, it encompasses all types of knowledge. In fact, when we look at the history of our past scholars, we find that many of them were not only experts in religious knowledge but also in Medicine, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Therefore, this verse serves as a powerful reminder for individuals to seek knowledge that is beneficial for them. Given that everyone possesses different needs and skills, what may be useful for one person, may not be relevant for another. For example, certain type of knowledge is only applicable and relevant to specific fields of expertise. Therefore, we must evaluate our own needs and seek knowledge accordingly. This is the message of the Prophet (s.a.w).

أَنْتُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِأَمْرِ دُنْيَاكُمْ

Which means: “You know better about your worldly affairs.”

Brothers and sisters,

As the world rapidly evolves, we also witness developments and changes in the workplace. A wise individual is aware of all these developments. To fulfill their responsibilities to the best of their abilities, they persist in seeking knowledge and refining their skills. They seize available opportunities, recognizing that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong effort.

May we become among those who benefit humanity and attain Allah's (s.w.t) blessings in seeking blessed knowledge. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم

 

Second Khutbah

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.