Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
4 October 2024 / 1 Rabiul Akhir 1446H
Social Upliftment and Empowerment
Dear blessed congregation,
Have taqwa and be truly mindful of Allah s.w.t. Obey all His commands and abstain from all His prohibitions. Strive to do good and help members of society who are in need of assistance. Through this, may the strength of our community remain strong, and may our outcomes in the hereafter be better than this temporary life. Ameen.
My dear brothers,
This week's sermon invites us all to join hands in working towards success, while also giving due attention to those who are in need of our support.
As humans, we often make mistakes and sometimes fall prey to the tricks of Shaitan. There are moments when we feel we are better or more successful than others, or that we have contributed more than others.
My dear brothers,
Listen to this hadith from Imam an-Nasa’i, in which one of the companions of the Prophet s.a.w. once felt a sense of superiority over other companions (sahabiy); that he was better than some of them. With wisdom, the Prophet s.a.w. advised him, saying:
Which means: “Indeed, Allah assists this ummah through the weak amongst them, through their supplications, prayers, and sincerity.”
With our different backgrounds, each one of us plays an equally important role in achieving success as a community. None of us should boast or claim to be better or more significant than others. Reflect on the hadith mentioned earlier. Allah's assistance does not come only from the efforts of the skilled and financially capable, but also from the sincere hearts of those amongst us who are in need.
My dear brothers,
Alhamdulillah, our Muslim community today is often associated with various advancements and successes. We have made notable progress in education, economy, and many more from our community are now entering the professional sector. We should feel grateful for the achievements of the local Muslim community. We believe that all of this is a blessing from Allah, as mentioned in Surah Ash-Shura, verse 12:
Which means: “To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. He extends provision for whom He wills and restricts. Indeed He is, of all things, Knowing.”
At the same time, we acknowledge that many challenges continue to persist in our community. For instance, we have yet to fully overcome health issues. At the same time, we are still grappling with issues such as incarceration, youth delinquency, non-marital births, and socio-economic issues which continue to be discussed.
These challenges often affect the vulnerable among individuals, families, and the community at large. However, we should all feel responsible for strengthening and empowering our community.
My dear brothers,
To achieve success and to empower our community, today’s khutbah calls upon us to do two things:
Firstly: Pay attention to the vulnerable members of society. Approach them with compassion. Understand the challenges they face. Do not belittle or dismiss the issues they are trying to overcome.
Instead, consider these issues as opportunities for collective improvement as a community. By fostering empathy and unity, every individual will feel valued, which in turn, will strengthen their resilience in overcoming challenges. Reflect on the hadith that means: “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim)
Second: Offer the necessary support according to our capability. This can be done directly, especially to those we personally know. For example, check in on the well-being of friends or relatives, understand the challenges they are facing, and offer help in a suitable manner. Support can also be extended through communityefforts and by contributing to social organisations.
For individuals blessed with comfort in life, let us get involved by dedicating time and attention to the challenges faced by members of our community. The Prophet s.a.w. said: “Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve their hardship in this world and the Hereafter.” (Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim)
For individuals and families who are still being tested by Allah s.w.t. with the challenges of this worldly life, continue striving to improve your situation. Alongside that, keep supplicating with sincerity and conviction. May Allah continue to grant his assistance and success to our community, through our sincere and continuous prayers.
My dear brothers,
Whatever success we achieve in life, realise that, in truth, we are all dependant and in desperate need of the mercy and love of Allah s.w.t. He says in Surah Fatir, verse 15:
Which means: “O mankind, it is you who are in need of Allah, while Allah is the Self-sufficient, the Praiseworthy.”
Ya Allah Ya Rahman Ya Rahim, look upon us with Your love and mercy. Ya Rauf Ya Latif, be gentle to us, and do not test us with anything beyond our capacity. Ya Muallifal Qulub, unite our hearts so that we may continue to raise our hands in gratitude to You. Make us Your servants who are successful in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.
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.
