Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
14 October 2022 / 17 Rabiulawal 1444H
The First Characteristic of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.): Prioritising Others Over Himself
My fellow congregants on this blessed Friday,
Let us continue our efforts to increase our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His orders, and by staying away from all His prohibitions. May we be placed amongst the righteous in Jannatul Firdaus. Amin.
Brothers and sisters,
In conjunction with the month of Rabiulawal, this month’s Friday sermons will highlight some of the praiseworthy qualities of our Prophet (s.a.w.) that we should strive to emulate. On this occasion, allow me to share how our Prophet (s.a.w.) was known as someone who always prioritises others over himself.
My fellow Muslims,
The beauty of the character of the Prophet (s.a.w.), when emulated, can shape our personality towards becoming true Muslims. This includes loving others the same way one loves himself. Indeed, the Prophet (s.a.w.) was known to put others first whenever he saw an opportunity to do so. He shared his food so that others were able to satisfy their hunger together with him.
For example, as narrated by Imam Ahmad, Anas bin Malik (r.a) once ordered to divide the dates that the Prophet (s.a.w.) had just received as a gift. Anas said: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) then sat down for a while and ate quickly (after which he left to complete his other duties), and I knew (from the way he ate) that he was very hungry."
From this hadith, we can see how prioritising others over himself was part of the nature of the Prophet (s.a.w.). Although he received a special treat as a gift, he did not forget to share it with others as well, even though it meant that he could only eat a small portion of the gift, despite being very hungry.
My beloved fellow Muslims,
Which means: “On the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit, only those who come before Allah with a pure heart (will be saved).” (Surah Ash-shu’ara, verse 88-89)
Having a good or pure heart does not only mean one’s soul is free from sins, but it also means having a heart that one is free from any despicable and negative traits, like selfishness. Imam Al-Izz ibn Abdussalam said that what the previous verse refers to as "saved" are those who love for others what they love for themselves.
In fact, one’s faith is considered to be incomplete, for as long as he is concerned only about himself. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
“None of you is a true believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Hadith narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Brothers and Sisters,
At a time when we are dealing with increasing inflation and a challenging global economy, there are certainly individuals and families who are adversely affected. There may be members of our own family, or our close friends, who are facing difficulties in meeting their daily needs.
Therefore, it is important for all believers to strive to cultivate the spirit of helping others. The help we give does not necessarily need to be large monetary amounts, nor is it limited to financial aid only. However, we should take advantage of the ease and privilege that Allah (s.w.t.) has given us to spend in the way of charity and to help, by any ways and means that we can. Surely through our efforts, Allah (s.w.t) will increase our sustenance and rizq.
May Allah (s.w.t.) continue to give us opportunities to do good, as well as grant us ease, and may He increase the love of helping others in our hearts. 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.
