Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
1 November 2024 / 29 Rabiul Akhir 1446H
Tadabbur: Appreciating the Messages of the Quran
Dear blessed congregation,
Have taqwa (piety) towards Allah s.w.t. with true devotion. Obey all His commands and abstain from all His prohibitions. May we be among His servants who are successful in this world and the Hereafter. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
My dear brothers,
How familiar are we with the term “tilawah” of the Quran? How about the term “tahfiz” of the Quran? Tilawah refers to reciting, while tahfiz refers to the memorisation of the Quran. Both are associated with how we engage with the Quran. In line with this, today’s sermon will share and introduce the concept of “tadabbur” of the Quran.
My brothers, tadabbur goes beyond our interaction with the Quran through mere recitation. Tadabbur invites us to combine reading with understanding and appreciation. This is the primary message in Allah's words in Surah Sad, verse 29:
Which means: "This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded."
My dear brothers,
Our effort to reflect upon and understand the meanings behind the verses of the Quran is known as the process of tadabbur. We are encouraged to practise tadabbur by taking the time to reflect upon and appreciate the lessons within the Quran. This can be done by reading the verses of the Quran in a calm manner, looking closely at its contents, and considering the context of revelation of each verse. For example: Why does Allah use the word “Muslim” in one verse, and “mukmin” (believer) in another?
My dear brothers,
Tadabbur is our effort to uncover the gems and special qualities of the Quran. For example, by reflecting on verses related to our religious rulings, we are striving to understand the wisdom behind Allah's commands. This understanding then allows us to heed these commands with greater ease after engaging in tadabbur with the verses.
Another example: How can we deepen our understanding of Surah Al-Fatihah, which we recite in every prayer throughout our lives? Also, what is the main message Allah wishes to convey through Surah Yasin or Surah Al-Kahfi, which we regularly recite every Thursday and Friday?
My dear brothers and youth, this is one of the ways to truly honour the Quran and make it a guide for our lives. If there is one takeaway from today’s sermon, it is the concept of tadabbur: striving to understand not only the translation of the Quranic verses, but also the central message of the revelation.
In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said, “Indeed, Allah has chosen people among mankind.” He was asked: “Who are these chosen ones?” The Prophet replied: “The people of the Quran are Allah’s people and His special ones.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
The scholars explain that the people of the Quran are those who understand and practice what is contained in the Quran, even if they have not memorised it.
My dear brothers,
To engage in effective tadabbur of the Quran, there are several steps we can take:
First: Reflect on the meanings in the translation and identify the key lessons. Many of us may not have had the opportunity to learn or understand Arabic, but that does not mean we cannot try to gain an understanding of the Quran, as translations are readily available.
When reading a verse’s translation, bring questions to mind, such as: What message is contained within this verse? What is it asking from us to change in our behaviour and character? This process will help us better identify and apply the lessons within each verse.
Second: Support tadabbur initiatives organised by our mosques and religious organisations. For example, the Tadabbur Al-Quran initiative organised by the QuranSG committee began last August.
Alhamdulillah, several mosques in Singapore have organised a series of lectures on Tadabbur Al-Quran, with a close focus on Surah Al-Fatihah as an example that is applicable and familiar to our daily life.
My dear brothers,
Tadabbur of the Quran not only strengthens our faith but also guides us towards better actions in daily life. By reflecting and understanding the holy verses of the Quran, we can make wiser decisions and avoid actions which do not please to Allah s.w.t. Tadabbur helps us grasp the message Allah s.w.t. is trying to convey to all of us, as the followers of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
The effort to read with tadabbur must be strengthened, starting with ourselves, then nurturing this culture among family members and friends. Together, let us pursue the blessings of life by being close to the Quran. May Allah make the Quran our witness on the Day of Judgment.
Ya Allah Ya Rahman Ya Rahim, make the Quran a source of mercy and light in our lives. Ya Alim Ya Hakim, open our hearts so that we may renew our relationship with Your holy Book. Ya Rauf Ya Wadud, fill our hearts with love for the Quran. Make us among Your servants who are amongst the Ahlul Quran and the special ones in Your sight. Amin ya Rabbal Alamin.
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
