Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
10 September 2021 / 3 Safar 1443H
Showing Kindness to our Families
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May our acts of piety help us build families that contribute to a peaceful and harmonious environment for our community and country.
Brothers and Sisters,
Last week’s sermon emphasised on how the presence of fathers is very important in their children’s lives. The active roles played by fathers provide a form of guidance for children to grow up with noble characteristics and pure morals. This week’s sermon will focus on the spirit of ihsan when dealing with our family members.
What is “ihsan”? “Ihsan” means to perform acts of kindness to others with utmost sincerity. Allah (s.w.t.) said in surah al-Qasas, verse 77:
Which means: “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the happiness of the Hereafter; and do not forget your share of the (joys of the) world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And do not seek to spread corruption in the land, Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.”
Acts of kindness and gentleness must begin from home, when we interact with our very own family members. This is because home is where everyone deserves to feel safe and at peace. It is also the place where we nurture feelings of love and affection between family members.
Brothers and Sisters,
While this may sound simple and easy to do; there are times when it requires a lot of effort and determination, especially when we are faced with various problems and complications. During such challenging times, our words and actions would either improve or further complicate the situation.
Let us ponder upon the example shown by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) in the way he treated his family. Despite having to deal with various types of challenges, our Prophet (s.a.w.) always handled his family affairs with kindness. For example, it was narrated that Saidatina Aisyah (r.a.) once got jealous and deliberately dropped a plate of food prepared by another wife of the Prophet (s.a.w.), causing the plate to break into pieces. Our Prophet (s.a.w.) did not lose his temper when the incident happened. Instead, He (s.a.w.) just said: Your mother was jealous, and requested for the broken plate to be replaced by the one from Saidatina Aisyah’s household. (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).
This serves as an example for us in terms of how we communicate and deal with our family members, especially in times of crisis and challenges. We must not act in haste nor react out of anger. Sometimes, all we need to do is give a gentle advice. Other times, it may even be better to wait for a more appropriate time before giving any form of advice, perhaps when the situation has calmed down.
Brothers and Sisters,
The ongoing pandemic has caused a segment of our community to face difficulties in their lives. There are those who have lost their jobs and are thus worried about their seemingly unstable future.
Such pressure would certainly cause anyone to become restless and anxious. Our religion teaches every believer to have resilience, patience, and to accept their tests in this world. A true believer should not vent their anger or disappointment on other innocent individuals, what more to treat their family members in a reckless and violent manner. Such approach is unacceptable, and is clearly rejected by the religion.
Brothers and Sisters,
All forms of domestic violence, be it physical, emotional or psychological are not part of the characteristics of a true Muslim. Our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: “The best of you are those who are the best towards their families, and I am the best to my family.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Tirmizi).
This is where we can all play our part to overcome family violence. If we hear or know of anyone facing domestic violence, we should report such cases to the authorities, for example the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
In doing so, we are not only saving the victim, but we are also breaking the cycle of violence. We do not want the children in the affected family to be influenced by such violence, thinking it is something normal and acceptable.
Brothers and Sisters,
In line with this, Casa Raudha is having a donation drive in their efforts to continue supporting families and individuals who are facing domestic violence. Our contribution will help the affected families as well as give them the opportunity to start a new life. Let us all contribute to this effort by visiting Casa Raudha’s Facebook or Instagram for more information.
Let us all work towards cultivating love and affection amongst our families by being kind to them, and make our homes become oases of peace in this world, on top of the means to achieve eternal peace in Allah’s Heaven in the afterlife. 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 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، يَارَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. 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 يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.
