Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

10 April 2020 / 16 Syaaban 1441H

Noble Virtue: Perseverance

Dear blessed Friday congregation,

Let us always have taqwa in Allah by remaining patient in performing Allah’s commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. It is hoped that, through this patience, Allah will grant us wisdom and goodness. Amin.

My dear brothers,

Every day we are given various responsibilities. In performing these responsibilities, we need a high level of patience. A steadfast patience can push us to perform our responsibilities well. Allah says in Surah Ali Imran Verse 200:

Which means: “O you who believe! Be patient, and persevere in your patience, and be prepared, always be mindful of Allah so that you may succeed.”

In the exegesis book Mafatih al-Ghayb, Imam al-Razi said that patience and persevering in patience need to be exercised by everyone, be it for themselves or for those around them.

My dear brothers, 

Surely, we all have different capabilities and levels of patience in managing our responsibilities, especially in our family matters. Some of us can manage on our own. Some of us are required to be caretakers of our elderly to help fulfill their needs. Whatever the role and responsibility, we have to perform it with perseverance and a sense of responsibility. If, among our siblings, there are those who are able to take care of our parents at home, the rest of us ought to contribute too in taking care of our parents’ well-being. Our contribution is not limited to financial support; rather, anything that may please our parents should be performed, such as visiting them, contacting them, or accompanying them to the doctor.

Know that when we cooperate in preserving the welfare of our parents, we are also preserving the welfare of our siblings who are taking care of our parents, especially in the current situation of uncertainty.

Hopefully, with our collective effort to take care of our parents, our parents will be pleased with us and will make supplications for our well-being and success in fulfilling our responsibilities. Remember the advice of Rasulullah s.a.w.:

رِضَا اللَّهِ فِي رِضَا الْوَالِدَيْنِ، وَسَخَطُ اللَّهِ فِي سَخَطِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ

Which means: “The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of parents, and the wrath of Allah lies in the wrath of parents.” [Hadith recorded by al-Hakim].

My dear brothers, 

We are still faced with the test of the pandemic that is afflicting almost the whole world. We also do not know when this pandemic will end. As a believer, we need to continue making supplications and be patient in facing this test. Each of us is not excluded from this and are also making sacrifices in this test. Some of us have sacrificed in terms of our jobs; others have sacrificed in terms of finances; some others have sacrificed in looking after the safety of those around them, especially our elderly and children.

Thus, it is essential that we help and support one another. Let us together appreciate the sacrifices of our frontliners who have tirelessly worked in treating patients to the best of their abilities. For those of us working or studying from home, have discussions with our family members and let us try to understand their needs in their work or studies. Stay calm and have patience with the surroundings of our home. Each of us has toadapt to the current situation so that any negative sentiment can be avoided as much as possible.

These sacrifices will not be in vain, my dear brothers. In exercising patience in our sacrifices, surely there is goodness and reward for the patience.

The Prophet s.a.w. said: “Anyone who faces the plague/pestilence and remains in the town (which is afflicted with the plague/pestilence), persevering in patience, knowing that nothing will afflict him other than what Allah has decreed for him, shall receive the reward of a martyr.” (Hadith recorded by Imam Al-Bukhari)

Hopefully, we are granted patience in serving our parents and perseverance in facing this test. May Allah s.w.t. accept all our deeds for the month of Sya’ban and allow us to meet Ramadhan. Amin. Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.