Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
11 March 2022 / 8 Syaaban 1443H
Understanding Surah al-Dhuha: Instilling Positive Thinking
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Let us strive to increase our taqwa of Allah (s.w.t.) by obeying all His commands and avoiding all His prohibitions. May we be among His righteous servants. Ameen.
Brothers and Sisters,
The Qur'an acts as a main reference for the believers. The Qur’an has always been a guide for us in going through life that is filled with tests and challenges.
In today’s sermon, I would like to invite everyone to ponder upon the historical context of the revelation of surah al-Dhuha. Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Quran:
Which means: “By the morning brightness. And [by] the night when it covers with darkness. Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful ˹of you˺. And the Hereafter is certainly far better for you than this life. And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.” [Al-Dhuha:1-5]
If we look into the seerah of the Prophet (s.a.w.), we will find a story on the revelation of this surah and how it happened in the beginning of Islam. At that time, the Prophet (s.a.w.) was feeling very sad and worried when he did not receive any revelation after so long.
Eventually, Jibril (a.s.) came with a revelation as a comfort and solace, which was Surah Al-Dhuha. This surah contains the meaning of hope towards the mercy of Allah (s.w.t.) for those who are patient. Even though the surah was revealed for the Prophet (s.a.w.), its messages are also meant for the ummah of the Prophet (s.a.w.), reminding us to believe that Allah (s.w.t.) will never abandon humankind.
In life, when we are challenged by difficulties and situations seem uncertain, we should reflect on this surah. It contains words of encouragement and guidance, to always look at the bigger picture. It reminds us not to limit our focus on this life alone but look ahead to our ultimate ending in the hereafter. And a good ending is for those who are patient and steadfast.
Brothers and Sisters,
In this life, there will be times when we feel happy and fortunate, and there are times when we feel sad and disappointed. We do agree that hardships and troubles in this world can cause a person to feel upset, discouraged and may lose hope in living. All these can affect our daily lives and may possibly cause a person to fall into depression.
The issue of depression should not be taken lightly, because depression disrupts the feelings of a person causing dejection that is detrimental to their life. So, how can we protect ourselves from within, as we prepare ourselves in receiving assistance from Allah (s.w.t.)?
Allow me to suggest a few ways:
Firstly: Always remember Allah (s.w.t.) in times of ease and think well of Allah (s.w.t.) in times of difficulty. Because the key to getting Allah's help in times of struggle, is by remembering Allah (s.w.t.) in times of comfort. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: "Remember Allah at the time of ease, surely Allah will remember you at the time of difficulty" (Hadith narrated by Imam al-Tirmizi)
Secondly: Let us continue to strive in helping others. Because if we were to help others in need, Allah (s.w.t) will send down His help when we are in difficulty as narrated in a hadith in Sahih Muslim.
May we continue to be spirited and always remain positive whilst living peacefully with our dear families and community. Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وأَسْتَغْفِرُ 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.
