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Preserving Our Religion

Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

13 November 2020 / 27 Rabiulawal 1442H

Preserving Our Religion

My brothers,

Let us together preserve our faith and increase our taqwa to Allah (s.w.t.). Be conscious of Allah by doing all that is good and refraining from all that is bad. Be conscious of Allah by protecting our heart from malice and envy, and our tongue from making false accusations and inciting hatred. Be conscious of Allah by safeguarding our religious practices from all forms of deviation. Be conscious of Allah by safeguarding the sources of our religious knowledge. Be mindful of those who wish to spread harm, hatred and division through words that entice and acts that confuse.

Dear brothers,

Rasulullah (s.a.w.) reminded us to ensure that our understanding and practice of the religion is always guided by his teachings. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) also emphasized that the way to do this is to seek religious knowledge from trustworthy sources and individuals who are properly qualified to teach and educate.

There are those who distort the religion for their own personal gains, or to incite violence, or out of confusion, thinking that they are on the right path. In our efforts to seek religious guidance and become better Muslims, we must be mindful of such people and not fall for their sweet promises or deceptive words. Some may claim to have the ability to talk to Allah or His prophets, while others may legitimise prohibited actions, such as spiritual marriages, gambling, acts of violence and injustices.

One of the signs of a doubtful character is when the person has no credible religious qualifications, and his or her classes are conducted in secret and away from the masses. Umar bin Abdul Aziz once said, “If you see a group of people whispering (talking about in secret) about their religion, without including other people (in their discussions), know that their basis is heresy.”  (From the book al-Zuhd, Imam Ahmad).

Dear brothers,

It is our personal duty to be careful of the teachings that we receive. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) cautions us in a hadith: “So hold fast to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafa ar-Rashideen who are rightly guided and who guide people to the right way .. Cling to it with your molar teeth (i.e. firmly and persistently)…” (Reported by Imam Abu Daud).

When you notice that the teachings you hear clearly contradict the Quran, the teachings of the Prophet (s.a.w.), and the guidance of generations of scholars, you need to be very cautious. Consult our qualified religious teachers, should you have any doubts and concerns. Observe what  Allah (s.w.t.) mentions in surah al-Anbiya verse 7:

Which means: “And We did not send before you messengers except men whom We inspired with revelation. So, ask those who know, if you do not know.”

My brothers,

Although our community has progressed and contributed in many ways, we still have challenges. There are elements in our community that are of concern religiously such as the above. We must therefore strive to be careful and cautious at all times, so that we can protect ourselves and our families. We will be safe as long as we stay united as one community, when we help each other in doing good, and when we advice one another in constructive ways.

At the same time, we must also be very careful with what we hear. There are many untruths, lies, misinformation and accusations today. Remember, spreading rumours or untruths, or sharing them with others on social media is a very easy thing to do. It can become a habit too. But we will be held accountable. The impact and consequences of our words are longlasting, not just in this world but in the hereafter. Allah (s.w.t.) is always watching over what we do and say. For every good act is a good reward, but for every lie and slander, is its equitable punishment not only for what we have said but for the suffering we have caused to those who are innocent.

May our care and caution in seeking knowledge protect our faith, as well as the faith of our families. Let us pray to Allah for all members of our  community to remain on the path that has been set forth by our Prophet (s.a.w.). Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin. 

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، 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.