Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

30 April 2021 / 18 Ramadan 1442H

Performing Zakat in the Spirit of Social Justice

 

الحَمدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي فَتَحَ فِي رَمَضَانَ أَبْوَابَ جَنَّتِهِ وَأَغْلَقَ أَبْوَابَ نَارِهِ. وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا محمدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. أَمَّا بَعدُ، فَيَا أَيُّهَا الـمُسلِمُونَ، أُوصِيكُم وَنَفسِي بِتَقوَى اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، فَقَد فَازَ الـمُتَّقُونَ.

My dear brothers,

Let us together increase our acts of worship in this blessed month, as well as our taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) in every moment possible in the hope that Allah (s.w.t.) will bless our lives in this world and the hereafter.

My dear brothers,

We are often reminded that Ramadan is a month for us to strengthen our relationship with Allah (s.w.t.), as well as to strengthen our faith towards Him. However, each individual Muslim should know that in building our relationship with Allah, we also need to safeguard our relationship with others.

This is reflected in the actions of our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). He always strived to maintain good relationships with others. He would never offend, nor would he reject those who requested his assistance. He was always merciful towards others. Our Prophet (s.a.w.) said in a hadith: “Those who are merciful will be loved by Ar-Rahman. Thus, love those who dwell on earth, and those above the sky will love you.”

Subhanallah! Imagine the extraordinary rewards from Allah. He grants mercy to those who spread love and mercy among His creations.

Therefore, the hadith should be a motivation for us to assist and help those in need.

Especially in this blessed month of Ramadan, we are recommended to increase our religious deeds. One of which is by giving, be it through zakat or donation. This conforms to the Prophet’s actions in which he was more generous in the month of Ramadan. (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).

My dear brothers,

The importance of zakat, which is the third pillar of Islam, is undeniable. With zakat, we are able to protect those who are less fortunate, the poor and the needy, as well as our religious institutions.

Zakat does not only nurture mercy and empathy in ourselves, but also gives us an understanding about the importance of justice and social balance. This is because zakat ensures that wealth and luxury are not only restricted to a small group in the community.

In Singapore, we are grateful that with the collection of zakat, we are able to preserve the welfare of our community. The collection of zakat provides a ray of hope to the needy and the poor as they are supported through the monthly cash disbursement. It also gives an opportunity to students who wish to continue their education. This is among the various initiatives that are carried out to help the asnaf.

All of this cannot be achieved without the support of the community, as well as the mercy of Allah (s.w.t.) upon His servants who dutifully carry out this religious obligation.

Remember, my dear brothers, zakat does not only benefit those who are in need, but also benefits us and our wealth. Observe this commandment of Allah (s.w.t.) in surah at-Taubah, verse 103:

Which means: “Take alms out of their riches and thereby cleanse them and bring about their growth (in righteousness), and pray for them. Indeed, your prayer is a source of tranquillity for them. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”

My dear brothers,

Therefore, in this blessed month of Ramadan, let us take this opportunity to perform zakat and provide assistance, while also increase our acts of worships.

Hopefully, as we perform the third pillar of Islam, Allah (s.w.t.) will grant us His mercy and also bless our wealth. May our affairs be eased, insyaallah. Let us reflect upon this hadith by our Prophet (s.a.w.): “Allah will help His servant when His servant helps others. (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim).

Let us together express our gratitude to Allah (s.w.t.) for the blessings He has granted us and continue finding ways to help others and give financial assistance. Our actions of virtue and compassion in these difficult times are witnesses to our faith and spirituality.

Let us pray that Allah (s.w.t.) will increase our piety through religious deeds and strengthen our faith while also bring us closer towards Him. Especially as we are approaching the last ten nights of Ramadan, in which there is a night that is better than a thousand months, that is laylatul qadar.

May Allah (s.w.t.) accept all our religious deeds and donations while also granting us the opportunity to meet laylatul qadar. Amin. Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ

 

 

Second Sermon

الْحَمْدُ 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 الْعَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا. 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 لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، الْأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالْأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا الْبَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالْمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ الْبُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ، وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُمْ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ  يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ.