Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
15 September 2023 / 29 Safar 1445H
The Story of Prophet Yusuf (A.S): Lessons in Managing Wealth
My beloved congregants,
Let us together increase our piety towards Allah (s.w.t) by adhering to His commandments and abstaining from His prohibitions. It is through this piety that we may find peace and prosperity in this world, and ensure our salvation in the hereafter. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.
My brothers and sisters,
The Quran contains numerous stories of the Prophets which impart valuable lessons for us when facing challenges in life. In today's sermon, let us reflect upon the story of Prophet Yusuf (a.s). Allah (s.w.t) states:
Which means: "[Prophet Yusuf said]: ”Put me in charge of the storehouses of the land, for I am truly reliable and adept.”
My brothers and sisters,
Take heed of the two qualities highlighted in this verse. These qualities were pivotal in Prophet Yusuf's success during the seven-year drought which happened during his time.
According to the scholars of tafsir, Prophet Yusuf (a.s) was entrusted with the responsibility of managing Egypt's treasury because he possessed two essential qualities.
Firstly, the attribute of "Hafiz," signifying his diligent safeguarding of entrusted responsibilities. Secondly, the attribute of "Alim," representing his expertise in financial management.
These two qualities were evident when Prophet Yusuf (a.s) managed Egypt's finances. For instance, during the drought, he advised the Egyptian king to strategize the nation's finances and keep the harvest in reserve in anticipation of the looming crisis. This underscores the significance of maintaining reserves to confront uncertain times.
We do not know what challenges lie ahead for us and our families. Today, we may be financially stable, but tomorrow, who knows what our circumstances will be? Wallahu a'lam.
As Muslims, we should emulate the two qualities of Prophet Yusuf. Through the attribute of "Hafiz," a believer strives to make meticulous and thoughtful plans for an uncertain future.
On the other hand, the quality of "Alim" necessitates that we seek knowledge regarding the management of our finances. What are the effective methods to plan for our family's needs? There are various resources available to enhance our financial literacy, such as participating in educational programs.
My brothers and sisters,
Allah (s.w.t) frequently puts His servants to test as a way of teaching and nurturing them in life. As we live in a rapidly developing nation, our trials may often come in the form of financial challenges.
As we reflect on the global pandemic, COVID-19, we are reminded of how it affected individuals of all ages. Many lost their jobs or faced salary reductions due to this crisis. While we pray for Allah's protection over our nation, it is important for believers to remain vigilant and prepared for various contingencies.
The journey towards financial stability starts with practising moderation and frugality in spending. We should only purchase what is necessary and consider the long-term benefits of our expenses. It is important to avoid impulsive shopping or buying items that do not contribute to our well-being.
For those who are financially capable, let us extend our support to those in need, especially our relatives, as it is one of the keys to paradise. If there are family members who require any form of assistance, whether it be financial, physical, or advice, let us be the first to offer help. We can be assured that Allah the Most Merciful showers His bountiful blessings upon those who are generous.
Reflect upon the Hadith of the Prophet (p.b.u.h):
ما من يوم يصبح العباد فيه إلا ملكان ينزلان فيقول أحدهما : اللهم أعط منفقا خلفاً ، ويقول الآخر : اللهم أعط ممسكاً تلفاً
Which means: "Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah, compensate every person who spends in Your cause,' while the other says, 'O Allah, destroy every miser.'" [Hadith reported by Imam al-Bukhari]
May Allah (s.w.t) make us His servants who are wise in managing our wealth and spend our possessions rightfully in His path.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْمُ.
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.
