Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
3 September 2021 / 25 Muharram 1443H
The Role Of A Father In The Children’s Lives
My dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
Let us together continue our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by carrying out His obligations and abstaining from His prohibitions. With our consistent efforts, may Allah grant us and our families hearts that are steadfast in obedience to Allah (s.w.t.).
My dear brothers and sisters,
All of us certainly wishes for a happy family. Family is the first place where values and character of a person are shaped. Family is also the place where we devote our love and affection to one another, filling our souls with serenity and peace. Given the importance of the topic, the sermons throughout this month will focus on family.
My dear brothers and sisters,
There is a theme that is often repeated, both in the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.). It relates to the importance of a father’s role in the family. For example, the story of Prophet Ibrahim with his son Prophet Ismail (a.s.), and the story of Prophet Yaakob with his son, Prophet Yusuf (a.s.).
Similarly, we can also observe the life of the Prophet (s.a.w.) with his children and grandchildren. Despite his busy life as a Messenger of Allah, as the leader of the community, and so on, Prophet Muhammad still had time to tend to the affairs of his family and to spend time with his children.
These stories narrate to us the importance of the role of a father in the lives of our children and family members. Oftentimes, it requires effort and willingness to participate and be a part of our children's daily lives.
My brothers and sisters,
There is no doubt about the important role a father plays in a family. So much so that in Surah at-Tahrim, Allah (s.w.t.) encourages the believers to protect and guide his family members from committing sins. Allah (s.w.t.) says:
Which means: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Surah at-Tahrim: 6).
“Protecting our families from the fire”, means to offer them continuous guidance. Our children need our guidance, caring advice and parental support that will allow them to tread the path that pleases Allah (s.w.t.). The obligation of being a father does not simply rest with ensuring that the children have enough food, drink, clothing, money, and education.
My brothers and sisters,
A father’s presence and involvement positively contribute to the development of their children. Allow me to share some practical guides that we may try out.
Firstly: Involve ourselves in our children’s lives. Whether by doing simple projects or exercising together. In terms of spirituality, bring our children to the mosque or pray in congregation at home with them. Spend some time to read the Quran and discuss the meanings of the verses read.
Secondly: Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of our children's lives and their development. A caring father would always ask about the development of their children and would not let the responsibilities shouldered by his wife or the school.
Lastly: In terms of upbringing, a father should try to be affectionate and attentive when listening to what his children try to convey. If they make a mistake, we should correct them with wisdom instead of getting angry. All these efforts can help to instill confidence in the children so that they may embrace their full potential.
Let us observe the advice given by the Prophet (s.a.w.) regarding the most precious gift that a father can give to his child. The Prophet said in a hadith narrated by Imam at-Tirmizi: "There is no better gift, from a father to his child, other than good manners."
Let us strive together to improve the relationships between our family members and those around us. May Allah (s.w.t.) bless us and our families with peace and serenity. Amin. Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَ لَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ
Second Sermon
الْحَمْدُ 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 الْعَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا. 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 لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، الْأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالْأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا الْبَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالْمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ الْبُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ، وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُمْ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ.
