Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

28 July 2023 / 10 Muharram 1445H

The Essence of Migration In Islam

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. May we be among those who strive to put in sincere efforts to cultivate taqwa in ourselves. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

My fellow Muslims,

Let us express our immense gratitude to Allah (s.w.t.) for all His favours and blessings, one of which is the opportunity to be here in the Islamic New Year and experience this glorious month - the month of Muharram. The month of Muharram is the first month of the Hijri year, and it is considered as one of the holiest months in the sight of Allah (s.w.t.). One of the things we can do in this blessed month is to reflect upon the story of the Prophet's (s.a.w.) migration from Mecca to Medina Al-Munawwarah. I would like to draw your attention to the words of Allah (s.w.t.) in Surah al-Nisa, verse 100, regarding the blessings and benefits that have been promised to us as the reward for migration.

Which means: “He who migrates in the way of Allah, will find on the earth enough room for refuge, and plentiful resources. And he who goes forth from his house as an emigrant in the way of Allah and His Messenger, and whom death overtakes, his reward becomes incumbent on Allah. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” 

Brothers and sisters,

When we delve into the topic of migration, it is important to understand that the concept of migration in Islam is much broader than just a physical movement from one place to another. Rather, the essence of migration is to forsake everything that is forbidden by Allah (s.w.t). The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

المهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه

Which means: "A person who migrates is one who abandons what Allah (s.w.t.) has forbidden." [Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad]

Hence, with the arrival of this beautiful month of Muharram, it is timely for us to instil and cultivate the determination in our hearts to change for the better. For example, if we have been committing sins and engaging in acts of disobedience, in this new year, let us strive to leave such behaviours behind.

For example, throughout this month, the Friday sermons have focused on different aspects of our family lives. At this point, I would like to invite all of us to think deeply for a moment. What changes can we make to ensure the well-being of our family? Are there relationships that need to be re-established? Are there any disagreements that need to be resolved? Or do we need to work on improving our family’s religiosity? We must have the determination to seize the blessings and benefits of this month, planting the seeds of positive change in ourselves and in our family members.

Indeed, making positive changes and improvements is the essence of migration as taught by our Prophet (s.a.w.). 

May the blessings of this noble month, as well as the blessings of today, which is the Day of Asyura, be the reason for Allah (s.w.t) to inscribe our names amongst the righteous. And may we also be granted an abundance of blessings in our family lives. 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.