Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

14 July 2023 / 25 Zulhijjah 1444H

The Importance of Communication Between Family Members

My beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.). Allah s.w.t commands in the holy Qur’an:

Which means: “O you who believe! Be mindful of Allah, and be with the truthful.”(Surah Taubah: 119)

With this taqwa, we hope to achieve success for ourselves and our family members. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

Congregants who are beloved to Allah,

According to scholars of tafsir, or Quranic interpretation, in this verse, Allah (s.w.t.) commands the believers to strive on this Earth so that they may be placed with the righteous in the Hereafter - that is, with the Prophet (s.a.w.) and his Companions. By instilling this determination and increasing our efforts and good deeds, we pray that Allah (s.w.t.) will unite us with our beloved, Sayyidina Rasulullah (s.a.w.), as well as with his Companions in the Hereafter.

This verse also carries a profound message. Since it commands us to always be with those who are truthful, it is also an encouragement for us to choose our friends and companions carefully. As the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "A person's religion depends on the religion of his close friends. Observe who is made his close friend." (Hadith narrated by Abu Daud) Surely, one will be influenced by those around him. 

My brothers and sisters,

If we consider our family lives, it is even more imperative that we internalise this Qur’anic injunction. It is an advice for us as the head of our families, as well as for our children and other family members. No matter how old a person may be, he will be influenced by the people he surrounds himself with. If his friends are good in terms of religion and morals, then inshaAllah he himself will be influenced by the goodness, and vice-versa.

Therefore, as parents, we need to pay attention to the people our children are spending their time with. Who are their closest friends?

This matter has become even more complicated with the advancement of information technology and the pervasive use of social media today. Anyone can form relationships with people they meet online, and interactions are no longer limited to the physical realm. This leaves our children exposed and vulnerable to unhealthy online influences.

Certainly, the wide range of social media platforms and communication systems provide us with many benefits. However, they also provide opportunities for certain individuals to misuse these platforms for malicious purposes, such as promoting drug abuse.

It must be highlighted that any form of drug abuse is forbidden by our religion. Drug abuse violates the principle of preservation of life, soul, and intellect, which are all emphasised in Islam.

My fellow Muslims,

There is thus a need for us to work on increasing the awareness of teenagers and youth, so that they do not get involved with drug abuse. This is because young people are attracted to new experiences, some of which may not be beneficial to them. This can happen either through their interactions with their friends or through what they discover online.

Getting through to our children requires constant communication. Otherwise, if communication is lacking and a close bond is non-existent, it would be difficult to cultivate trust between family members.

Of course, this requires a continuous effort on our part, as this is not something that can be achieved in a short time. We have to consider this as part of our role as parents to protect our children from being influenced by unhealthy elements that can have a negative impact on their lives, possibly damaging their future. Our children’s future should be unhindered with all manner of possibilities and opportunities open to them.

May Allah (s.w.t.) grant us all protection in this world and the Hereafter, and may He grant our society lasting prosperity and peace. 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.