Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

29 September 2023 / 13 Rabiulawal 1445H

The Story of Prophet Yunus: Finding Wisdom in Challenges

My blessed Friday congregants,

Let us elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands and abstaining from all His prohibitions. May we become His servants who achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. Amin.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today, allow me to share with you a story that is both inspiring and enlightening. It is the story of Prophet Yunus (a.s), a noble messenger of Allah who faced countless obstacles and hardships in fulfilling his divine mission.

Prophet Yunus (a.s.) encountered numerous obstacles on his path. His message initially failed to resonate with his people, leaving him burdened with disappointment and frustration. In a moment of desperation, boarding a ship, he made the difficult decision to leave his people behind in an attempt to escape the difficulties he faced.

As the ship set sail, it was not long before a powerful storm descended upon them. The waves were tumultuous, and the ship was in grave danger of sinking. The crew, realizing that the storm was no ordinary one, began to throw their cargo overboard in an attempt to lighten the ship and save themselves.

However, despite their effort, the ship remained too heavy. Prophet Yunus’ name was drawn to be thrown into the sea. It was then that he was swallowed by a whale.

But even in the belly of the beast, Prophet Yunus never lost faith in Allah. He continued to glorify Him, acknowledging his own weaknesses and demonstrating true servitude. He prayed for forgiveness and sought God's mercy. And it was through this unwavering devotion that he was eventually freed from the belly of the whale and emerged victorious. 

Allah (s.w.t) says in Surah As-Saffat, verse 143-144:

Which means: “Had he not constantly glorified Allah, he would have certainly remained in its belly until the Day of Resurrection.”

Dear brothers and sisters,

Prophet Yunus (a.s) never lost faith in Allah, glorifying Him through praises and acknowledging his own weaknesses. This is the essence of true servitude. This essence is manifested through the remembrance (zikr) and manifested through his actions - especially when he experienced difficulties.

Imam Ibn Jubair sheds light on the significance of Prophet Yunus' glorification of Allah (Tasbih), explaining that the glorification that the Quranic verse refers to is as follows:

لَا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحانَكَ إِنِّـي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِـمِينَ

Which means: “There is no god but You, Glory be to You, Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers”

My brothers, let us draw inspiration and valuable lesson from the story of Prophet Yunus that we can apply to our daily lives. First and foremost, we must constantly remember Allah, even in the darkest of moments. When we face difficulties and challenges, it is easy to lose faith and become discouraged. But we must always remember that Allah is with us, and He will guide us through the darkness.

Moreover, let us cultivate an optimistic outlook in every trial and challenge we face in life. We must seek wisdom and goodness in every challenge we face, for every challenge is an opportunity for growth and learning. Embrace these challenges and use them to become better people and better Muslims.

Dear brothers and sisters,

As humans, we are bound to face difficulties and challenges that are inevitable in life. The pangs of sadness, disappointment, and despair are all too familiar to us. The loss of loved ones, financial struggles, job hunting can leave us feeling helpless and vulnerable.

But in these moments of darkness, we must not lose sight of our faith in Allah. For He is the light that guides us through the shadows, the beacon of hope that illuminates our path. We must not falter, nor should we give up. Instead, we must seek wisdom and goodness in every challenge that we face.

Let us draw inspiration from the story of Prophet Yunus (a.s.), who, despite being tested, never lost faith in Allah's mercy and guidance. And let us have the unwavering determination and perseverance to overcome any obstacle that comes our way. For it is through these trials and tribulations that we grow stronger, more resilient, and more steadfast in our faith. 

May Allah grant us the strength and determination to face life's challenges with unwavering faith in His guidance and mercy. Ameen 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.