Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
1 December 2023 / 17 Jamadil Awal 1445H
The Importance of Advising and Receiving Guidance in Matters of Religion
Dear beloved Friday congregants,
I remind myself, as well as all of you, to be conscious of Allah (S.W.T.). Let us strive to obey His commands and abstain from His prohibitions. By doing so, may our society receive His mercy in this world and the hereafter. Amin.
Respected brothers and sisters,
The Prophet (S.A.W.) taught his believers various prayers to strengthen our relationship with Allah (S.W.T.) and seek His guidance and assistance in life. Each prayer emphasises the significance of the things we pray for in the life of a faithful believer. One of the prayers is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا، وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً
Which means: "O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds." (Hadith narrated by Imam Ibn Majah and Imam Ahmad).
This prayer highlights the significance of three elements in our daily lives on this earth: knowledge that brings benefit and goodness, provision that brings blessings, and sincere deeds that are accepted by Allah (S.W.T.). Imam Malik Bin Anas (R.A.) interpreted knowledge as wisdom, which is viewed as divine guidance bestowed by Allah (S.W.T.) upon those He chooses. Allah has mentioned this in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 269:
Which means: "He grants wisdom to whoever He wills. And whoever is granted wisdom is certainly blessed with a great privilege. But none will be mindful except people of reason."
Prophets and Messengers carry the responsibility of conveying the sacred verses revealed by Allah to their communities, purifying them from sins and imperfections, and teaching them the Book and Wisdom.
The Prophets, including Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), made every effort to guide, remind, and advise their respective communities to the best of their abilities. Undoubtedly, Allah (S.W.T.) has recorded their efforts in the Qur’an, detailing their persistence and patience in conveying the divine message and reminder. The Prophets undertook these tasks with profound empathy, aspiring only for Allah's (S.W.T.) mercy and forgiveness. Despite facing storms and enduring insults, they steadfastly fulfilled their duty of providing guidance to their people.
Dear beloved congregants,
Though we do not live in the time of the Prophets, the pearls of knowledge and wisdom of the Quran and Hadith continue to flourish in the hearts of noble individuals. These pearls of wisdom are now conveyed by scholars and religious teachers who are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave behind material wealth as an inheritance to the scholars. Instead, they left behind a more valuable legacy, namely knowledge and wisdom.
It is the responsibility of those who have knowledge to convey the teachings and religious advice, guided by principles and values, such as compassion (Rahmah), wisdom (Hikmah), and good words (Mau'izah Hasanah).
Similarly, in uncovering the pearls of wisdom behind the events created by Allah (S.W.T.) and allowed to happen on this earth, Allah (S.W.T.) explains in the Quran:
Which means, "And these examples We set forth to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge." (Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 43).
Understanding these examples including the events that occur, is crucial. All of them happen with His permission, and nothing is created in vain. Every creation holds a profound wisdom, but only a few can truly comprehend it.
Dear beloved congregants,
Truly, what Allah (S.W.T.) has conveyed requires our contemplation. In today's world, numerous events are unfolding that necessitate religious guidance, especially in the face of confusion, errors, and misinterpretations. Such occurrences have become increasingly common in the age of boundless information technology.
Therefore, is it not crucial to advise one another to strengthen our connection with the Almighty, repent, seek His aid, and offer prayers? Is it not essential to caution against misunderstandings and misinterpretations of religious teachings? Is it not paramount to encourage patience in facing trials? Indeed, all of these are pieces of advice from Allah (S.W.T.) and His Messenger (S.A.W.), as conveyed in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Therefore, giving advice or reminder carries the meaning of mercy and compassion. It aims to improve our shortcomings, enhance our understanding of religion, and strengthen our spirituality. Giving advice means educating, not scolding. It is an embrace, not a strike. True advice fortifies faith in Allah, taking root in the heart and will remain there. Allah says in the Qur’an:
Which means, "And remind, for certainly, reminders benefit the believers." (Surah Az-Zariyat, verse 55).
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Let us reflect on Allah's (S.W.T.) reminder that is often recited at the end of every gathering, which is Surah al-Asr. Allah said which means: "By time, indeed, humankind is in loss, except for those who have faith, and do good and advised each other to truth and advised each other to perseverance."
A successful community is one that believes in Allah, performs good deeds, and consistently advises one another. May Allah make our society a compassionate one and help us fulfill the responsibility of advising one another in matters of truth with patience. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم
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 وَبَارِكْ 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، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين. اللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ 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.
