Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
8 January 2021 / 24 Jamadilawal 1442H
Sense of Tranquility: A Blessing From Allah
My brothers,
Let us increase our taqwa of Allah by obeying all His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions. May our taqwa continue to help us face the many challenges in life with strength and patience.
My brothers,
As a continuation of this month’s theme of sermons which focuses on the lessons from hadith qudsi, let us now observe another hadith qudsi narrated by Imam Ibn Majah, which means: “Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, Allah says: ‘O son of Adam! If you are patient and seek reward at the moment of first shock (when calamity strikes), I will not approve of any reward for you less than Paradise.’”
My brothers,
This hadith teaches us that each one of us is going to be tested in this world. Indeed, this is a very important life lesson because it reflects the nature of the worldly life which Allah has created for us.
When a believer is tested with challenges, he will remain calm, and his heart is filled with patience and faith in Allah. This is because behind every trial, he sees an opportunity for him to grow closer to Allah and attain success in the hereafter. He will not grumble or sigh in the face of hardship, nor does he put the blame on the decree of Allah.
In addition, a believer will strive to find inspiration from the stories of the Prophets and Messengers, on how to remain resilient when facing challenges.
For example, we can take lessons from the story of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), especially on how he faced numerous trials in his efforts to preach his teachings. Not only did his people reject his teachings, but a king even commanded for Prophet Ibrahim to be punished. In addition, we should also look at the trials faced by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) throughout his life, which included the enmity and resistance from the people around him, and the lack of sustenance and resources, among many others. However, none of these challenges had deterred him from increasing his acts of worship and good deeds. He also strived to look for solutions for the different problems he faced.
We are able to gain lessons from the lives of the prophets as they were tested by Allah with the greatest of challenges. Their stories have been repeated many times in the Quran for us to learn from. Hence, it is important that we read and reflect upon the verses that mention the stories of their lives, as they reflect the many types of trials that Allah has tested mankind with, along with their solutions.
My brothers,
All these stories have taught us the importance of thinking positively when faced with life’s trials and tribulations. In addition, a believer will also continue to strive and put in his due effort, because Allah promises immeasurable rewards for those who strive and remain patient. Let us together reflect upon the following words of Allah (s.w.t.):
Which means: “Say, ‘[O Prophet, that Allah says], O believing servants, be mindful of your Lord! Those who do good in this world, will have a good reward. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.’” (Surah az-Zumar, verse 10).
This verse invites us to improve and change our situations for the better as part of our attempt to seek solutions. It shows that a Muslim should be proactive and work hard to achieve excellence, with Allah’s guidance. A Muslim should not be passive when being tested with challenges and regard their lack of response as their way of submitting their affairs to Allah (tawakkal).
Observe the following prayer that the Prophet (s.a.w.) had taught us, so that we can feel calm and collected whenever we face any difficulty:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ نَفسًا بِكَ مُطمَئِنَّةً، تُؤمِنُ بِلِقَائِكَ، وَتَرضَى بِقَضَائِكَ، وَتَقنَعُ بِعَطَائِكَ
Which means: “O Allah, I ask you to grant me a soul that is reassured with You, that believes in meeting You, that is content with Your decree, and that is satisfied with Your gifts.” (Narrated by Imam at-Tabrani)
May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us calmness and tranquility. May we remain patient and strong in facing life’s challenges and adversities. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
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.
