Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
11 October 2024 / 8 Rabiul Akhir 1446H
Preparing the Society of the Future
Dear blessed congregation,
On this blessed day, I remind myself and all of you to remain mindful of Allah s.w.t. Let us protect the faith and piety in our hearts by striving to obey His commands and abstain from His prohibitions.
Know, my dear brothers, that this world is full of trials and challenges. Let us equip ourselves with knowledge and skills, and strengthen unity and cooperation within our community. With these efforts, may Allah s.w.t. fulfill our noble aspirations to become a Muslim community of success (khaira ummah) and a source of positive inspiration for all. Amin.
Dear blessed congregation,
The khutbah last week highlighted some of our achievements and successes that we, as a community, can take pride in. However, as we discuss today’s topic on preparing the society of the future, it is important for us to pause and reflect whether these accomplishments have truly instilled resilience within our community.
This resilience is crucial when we face new challenges from two different perspectives: Firstly, the challenges related to religious life, and secondly, the challenges of life shaped by rapid global developments.
In reality, dear brothers, as Muslims, we must have foresight and a broad mindset. With knowledge, skills, and a proper understanding of our life and religious principles, we will be better prepared to make plans in facing both present and future challenges. Let us reflect upon the words of Allah s.w.t. in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 18:
Which means: "O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do."
As Muslims, we are not only asked to prepare for the Hereafter. We are also responsible for preparing ourselves for the future life on Allah’s earth.
My dear brothers,
Allow me to share two key aspects that we can work on in preparing for a future community of success.
Firstly: To seek knowledge and deepen our skills.
Islam places great emphasis on knowledge and education. How could it not? The very first revelation given to the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. was the command to read (with the instruction "iqra"). Furthermore, the Prophet s.a.w. himself said: "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Narrated by Ibn Majah).
With this call and spirit in mind, we must continually strengthen our mastery of various branches of knowledge, whether it be religious knowledge or modern sciences and worldly skills. The foundation and principles of good character must never be neglected, even as we strive for worldly advancement.
A solid and authentic foundation in religious knowledge is crucial for Muslims today in understanding Islamic faith (aqidah) and recognising the true sources of Islamic teachings. A strong and correct understanding of religion will strengthen and ensure the resilience of the community in navigating the confusion of today’s rapidly changing world. This includes various developments—whether they pertain to social, economic, geopolitical matters, or lifestyle trends—that influence the outlook of individuals and the formation of families. In addition, influences which involve deviations and departures from the true teachings of Islam.
Moreover, we must also master the necessary skills and understanding of contemporary global developments and current technological advances. This includes fields like economics, medicine, technology, and more. The ability to grasp these current trends will nurture and strengthen the capacity and resilience of our community in addressing today’s challenges and those of the future. By mastering these two realms of knowledge—spiritual and worldly—we will be better equipped to provide balanced solutions to these challenges from the perspective of Shariah.
By acquiring these skills and knowledge, we will not only be a community which passively consumes, but one that builds and contributes to progress, ultimately serving as an inspiration to others. Even though our numbers may be small, our significant contributions are on par with other communities. More admirably so, when it is rooted in values that reflect the principles of our faith.
Secondly, to nurture a future community of success, we must strengthen unity and cooperation with other members of the community.
Aside from emphasising beneficial knowledge, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. also stressed the importance of fostering good relationships with all members of society. This can be seen throughout his mission in Makkah and Madinah. The Prophet s.a.w. understood well that human prosperity cannot be guaranteed without unity and cohesion among all members of society. Unity that is grounded in sincerity and the values of faith and humanity is what will successfully forge strong and effective collaboration, resulting in benefits and goodness for all. As followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., it is even better if we lead this initiative and become role models for others.
In line with the example set by the Prophet s.a.w., success and prosperity will be far from our grasp if we are selfish and only concerned with our own interests. Therefore, let us gather more knowledge and expertise, forge good relations, and expand our contributions, so that Allah’s assistance will accompany us in our every effort.
Ya Allah Ya Rahman Ya Rahim, look upon us with Your mercy. Ya Quddus Ya Salam, grant us beneficial knowledge, and do not let us be deceived by our fleeting abilities. Ya Dzal Jalali Wal Ikram, guide us to be agents of goodness on this earth, and make us among those who succeed in this world and in 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 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 وَالسَّلاَمَ وَالأَمْنَ وَالأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ كُلِّهِ وَلِلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ. 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.
