Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
31 May 2024 / 22 Zulkaedah 1445H
Personal Welfare Planning for the Future
My blessed Friday congregants,
Let us increase our taqwa to Allah s.w.t. Only with taqwa, will inspire us to fulfil all his commands and abstain from all his prohibitions.
Dear Friday congregants,
Last week's sermon emphasised the love for children, including adopted and fostered children. Today, I would like to emphasise the importance of making self-welfare planning for the future. But before that, let us pray. May Allah s.w.t. extend our life with blessings and wisdoms.
My brothers, let us ponder for a moment. Today, we are still healthy and able to perform Friday prayers at the mosque. Will we be able to pray like today the next day, next week, and so on? Will Allah continue to bless us with health and life as soon as we step out of this mosque?
Indeed, life catches up with us every day. A healthy and strong body will eventually weaken due to aging. Therefore, it is important that we make the best use of our time and life, as Allah s.w.t. will question us in the hereafter about how we spent our young age. The prophet s.a.w. conveyed in a hadith, which means: "One's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out." (Hadith narrated by Imam At-Tirmizi).
Dear beloved brothers,
After listening to the hadith that was recited earlier, we should also consider the important aspect of life and health, that is when we are incapable to make decisions or manage ourselves.
To address this, we need to formally appoint a family member or trustee in writing. With early planning, those appointed can manage our needs according to our wishes and act on our behalf directly should we lose the ability to make decisions. This scenario can occur due to age, health issues, or injuries that cause memory loss.
Therefore, let us make early preparations by outlining contingency measures in the event of unforeseen events, in line with the teachings of Allah s.w.t. In Surah Al-Hashr, verse 18, it reads:
Which means: "O believers! fear Allah and let every soul look to what (deeds) it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah, (for) certainly Allah is All-Aware of what you do."
Dear respected congregants,
On this occasion, allow me to share several measures as a guide for us:
Firstly: As we are healthy and of sound mind, let us appoint individuals we trust as Donee through Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This is to allow the appointed individuals to manage our welfare, such as financial matters and daily life, when needed, in accordance with our wishes. We should also consider preparing the Advance Care Plan (ACP) to express our healthcare wishes for the future.
Secondly: As children, let us help our parents plan their welfare together. Refer them to those who can help prepare Lasting Power of Attorney and Advance Care Planning. This proactive measure is essential to preserve the well-being of our parents and avoid any difficulties that may arise in the future.
Zumratal Mukminin Rahimakumullah,
Islam emphasises the importance of preparing to face future challenges before the need arises. Remember the message of the Prophet s.a.w. to a companion, which means: "Take care of your camel and put your trust in Allah." (Hadith narrated by Imam At-Tirmizi).
As we strive to make a good and careful planning, we are striving to preserve the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones. Hopefully, Allah s.w.t bestows wisdom and guidance on us in making effective plans for our future, be it in this this world or in the hereafter. Allahumma Amin, Ya Mujibas Saailieen.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
SECOND SERMON
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 وَالسَّلاَم وَاْلأَمْنَ وَاْلأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ أَجْمَع يَا لَطِيْف. 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.
