Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

19 December 2025 / 28 Jamadilakhir 1447H

Purpose and Priorities in Life

Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,

Have taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. with true consciousness. Taqwa in obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions. Taqwa in setting our intentions, making our choices, and steering our lives. May Allah s.w.t. grant our hearts tranquillity and steadfastness upon the path of iman. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

Dear blessed congregants,

Allow me to begin today’s sermon with several reflections: What do we truly prioritise in this life? We work tirelessly to earn a livelihood and education, we look after our families, and we seek happiness before eventually returning to our Lord. Is that all there is to the meaning and purpose of human life?

In reality, many among us live busy lives. Yet, we may not always be clear about the direction and purpose of our journey. We rush from one responsibility to another, rarely pausing to reflect: Where is all this effort truly leading us?

Allah s.w.t. has reminded us that human beings were not created without purpose. He says in Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 115:

Which means: “Did you think that We created you in vain (without purpose), and that you would not be returned to Us?”

This verse clarifies that every action and effort of a Muslim should never be devoid of meaning. It affirms that every human life has a purpose, and that each action carries responsibility.

In our time, it is very easy to become trapped in constant busyness. We respond to demands and complete task after task endlessly. Without realising it, our lives become driven more by demands than by purpose.

When demands overwhelm, our priorities may become blurred. What truly matters gets postponed. What is most meaningful becomes secondary. Eventually, we lose sight of what should truly define our purpose and priorities in life.

My dear brothers,

A mindful Muslim is one who is clear about the purpose of their life. They do not allow pressure, busyness, or day-to-day routines to dictate the direction of their life. Instead, by identifying their priorities and purpose in every effort, they align their entire life so that it consistently moves towards the pleasure of Allah s.w.t.

The sermon today wishes to highlight three key points in relation to our purpose and priorities in life.

First: Living with purpose elevates the quality of a person

A believer who has clarity of purpose is more careful in every aspect of life. He is trustworthy in his work, diligent in seeking knowledge, and pleasant in his social interactions. He is fully aware that every role he assumes and every action he performs is an amanah – a trust from Allah s.w.t.

Having a clear purpose shapes inner discipline. It becomes a compass that guides one’s actions in times of ease and difficulty.

When our purpose is clear, it positively shapes our character, our work, and our worship. Our roles are no longer carried out mindlessly, and our worship are no longer performed in haste. Every action is measured not merely by worldly outcomes, but by its value in the sight of Allah s.w.t.

Second: Balancing the worldly and the spiritual, not separating them

As Muslims, we must be cautious not to allow worldly pursuits to consume our hearts. Yet, Islam does not call upon us to abandon our worldly responsibilities altogether. Rather, the world is viewed as a means, not the ultimate goal.

Remember: when worldly life becomes the goal, it often disappoints. But when it is treated as a means, it becomes an avenue for divine reward and blessings.

For example, we seek knowledge to build our future. We work to provide for our families. We plan our lives to achieve comfort and stability. All of this can form part of our worship when done with the intention of drawing closer to Allah, not further away from Him.

Reflect upon the declaration we recite daily in our prayers:

Which means: “Indeed, my prayer, my worship, my life and my death are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”

With this awareness, we are encouraged to be grateful for the blessings of wealth, health, and abilities that we possess. We are reminded to manage them with care, responsibility, and wisdom.

Third: Identifying priorities and being grateful for blessings

Every priority that we identify in life – such as our practice of religion, the well-being of our family, our provision, and quality of life – does not exist in isolation. They depend on other factors: a stable environment, respectful social relations, and conditions that allow us to live, work, and worship in peace.

We may not have considered these factors to be of high importance, perhaps because we have enjoyed it for so long. Yet, we should never take lightly the importance of preserving this peace. Often, it is only when such blessings are disrupted or lost that we realise how great a gift they truly were.

Thus, gratitude is not merely expressed through words, but through our attitudes and responsible actions at any time.

Dear blessed congregation,

This time of the year presents an opportunity for us to recalibrate our priorities and realign the course of our lives. Do not allow daily pressures and busyness to shape our life’s direction. Let our iman guide us, and let the pleasure of Allah be our ultimate goal.

May every role we perform bring us closer to Allah s.w.t. May Allah s.w.t. accept all our efforts and guide our steps towards eternal goodness. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

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