Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

8 September 2023 / 22 Safar 1445H

Stories from the Qur’an:

The Story of Prophet Musa: Knowledge is the Key to Faith 

My beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His orders and by abstaining from all His prohibitions.

Brothers and sisters,

It is the sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w) for us to read surah al-Kahf every Friday. This surah not only holds a wealth of wisdom, but it also imparts valuable lessons for individuals and different members of our community. Allow me to share one of the stories within the surah, which is about the Prophet Musa (a.s) and Khidir (a.s.).

I believe this story teaches us about the importance of seeking knowledge.

It begins with the spirit and determination of Prophet Musa (a.s.) to seek knowledge, as well as his search for an individual who was more knowledgeable than he was.

Allah (s.w.t) recounted in Surah al-Kahf, verse 66 in the Qur’an:

Which means: ‘Prophet Musa said to him, “May I follow you, provided that you teach me some of the right guidance that you have been taught (by Allah)?”’

Indeed, there were several actions done by Khidir (a.s) that caused Prophet Musa (a.s) to question his basis and reasons for doing so. However, Khidir’s actions were guided by a hidden wisdom and divine guidance that were not revealed to Prophet Musa (a.s) at that point of time.

My brothers and sisters,

This story serves as a form of motivation for every believer to take the required steps towards knowledge seeking, which includes making sure that it is sought from reliable and credible sources. Let us ponder upon the words of Allah (s.w.t):

Which means: “Do not follow what you have no sure knowledge of. Indeed, all will be called to account: for every act of their hearing, of their sight, and (the feeling in) their heart.” [Surah Al-Isra’: 36]

This verse contains a warning from Allah (s.w.t) for us not to be blind followers without proper knowledge or understanding. This is because in the Hereafter, we will have to answer for every action we do, every position we take, and every word we utter. Indeed, Allah (s.w.t) will hold us accountable for everything that we say or do in this world. Hence, it is important that we only act based on the right knowledge and understanding. 

Indeed, we require sufficient knowledge and understanding for us to remain guided in our daily lives. This is especially true when we talk about carrying out our religious practices with full confidence, based on religious principles and religious guidance. 

My brothers and sisters,

We cannot deny the importance of having a strong foundation of religious knowledge. Without proper understanding, there will be a lot of confusion and a widespread of doubtful religious practices.

The story of Prophet Musa (a.s) teaches us the importance of referring to those who are more knowledgeable than us regarding the particular field or sector. Indeed, it is our responsibility to keep going back to the subject matter experts. If the issue at hand is related to medicine, then we should speak to a medical professional. 

Similarly, when it comes to religious matters, we should direct our queries to certified Asatizah. When it comes to world affairs, we turn to the experts in the field. For example, when it comes to issues relating to our health, we willingly look towards medical professionals for advice. Likewise in relation to finance, we look to the financial experts for guidance. How about the way we approach religious matters? Is it really sufficient for us to seek the required information from online websites or mobile applications and treat these platforms as our main or only source of reference for religious knowledge?

My fellow Muslims, 

In this day and age where information is widely available and accessible to all, it is important that we become more critical about our sources of reference. This is because sometimes the information that we find online are neither credible, nor are they in line with the true understanding of our religion. In fact, there are individuals out there who use religion for their own benefit and to promote their personal interest or agenda. This is indeed worrying for us as well as our family members who are constantly exposed to such misleading information.

It is hence important for us to be very wary of misleading views as well as positions that seek to divide, rather than unite members of our community and society at large.

Other than making sure that our children understand and practise the religion, we are also responsible for ensuring the credibility and authenticity of the religious education received by ourselves and our families. This can be done by making sure that classes are conducted in approved locations and are taught by qualified and recognised asatizah.

May Allah (s.w.t) grant us immense understanding of religious knowledge. And may Allah (s.w.t) be pleased with the goodness that we pursue, and may He place us together with the righteous in His Paradise. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

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