Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
6 December 2024 / 4 Jamadilakhir 1446H
Valuing Time as Allah’s Blessing
Dear blessed congregation,
Let us observe piety (taqwa) towards Allah in the truest form. Fulfil all His commands and abstain from His prohibitions. Be grateful for every blessing granted to us, including the blessing of age and time. With gratitude or syukur, may our lives be guided, and may we be granted success in this world and the Hereafter. Amin.
My dear brothers,
Today, the sermon invites us to reflect on time as a blessing that must be valued. Time is a tremendous gift from Allah s.w.t., an invaluable provision that we often neglect. Islam places significant emphasis on time. Many of our core acts of worship are closely tied to it. For example, the five daily prayers are performed at specific times, and fasting is made obligatory only in the month of Ramadan. Zakat is paid at yearly intervals (haul), and the pilgrimage (Hajj) can only be performed on specific days during the month of Zulhijjah.
Moreover, Allah s.w.t. named a chapter in the Quran after time, that is Surah Al-Asr. In this surah, Allah s.w.t. declares:
Which means: "By Time! Indeed, mankind is deep in loss - except those who believe, do good deeds, and enjoin one another to truth and enjoin one another to patience."
This surah reminds us that by default, humankind is in a state of loss. However, Allah makes an exception those who fulfil four conditions: those who have faith, perform righteous deeds, remind one another towards the truth, and call towards patience. True faith is not merely belief within our hearts; it must translate into actions and words that fill our time with obedience and goodness towards others.
My dear brothers,
In the Hereafter, we will be held accountable for every blessing granted to us, including the blessing of time. Allah s.w.t. says in Surah At-Takathur, verse 8:
Which means: "On that Day, you will surely be questioned about your worldly blessings and pleasures."
As Muslims, it becomes an obligation for us to value time and manage it responsibly. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said in a well-known hadith:
"Take advantage of five matters before five others: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death." (Narrated by Al-Hakim)
The Prophet s.a.w. provided clear guidance on the importance of making the most of time, especially when we are young, healthy, and free. Time, once lost, cannot return, and those who fail to value it now will surely regret it later.
For parents, the school holiday period is an excellent opportunity for reflection and to teach our children the value of managing time. It is a chance to set a good example for them. For instance, during the holidays, there is no excuse for us to delay our prayers. Instead, we can train ourselves and our families to pray on time. This is a fundamental way to show gratitude and manage the blessing of time responsibly. At the same time, such efforts help us avoid wasting time.
There is a well-known saying attributed to Imam Asy-Syafie rahimahullah, which means: "Time is like a sword. If you do not cut it, or use it (i.e., utilise time well), it will cut you. If you are not occupied with good, you will surely be occupied with bad things."
Dear blessed congregation,
During this holiday period, consider the following ways we can wisely value the blessing of time:
First: Use our free time for sufficient rest and self-improvement.
Rest is a right our body has over us, as encouraged by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. For working adults and students, this is the time to recharge and regain our energy, so we can return to work or studies with a renewed spirit. Our free time can also be used for self-improvement activities such as reciting the Qur'an, attending religious classes, and much more.
Secondly: Spend quality time with our families.
Free time is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our family bonds. If we have been busy with work or school throughout the year, use this holiday period to channel our attention to the family. Engage in activities together, such as sharing meals, having meaningful conversations, or listening to our children’s stories and experiences. Healthy relationships foster harmonious families, therefore shaping the good character of Muslim individuals. This is also a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. that we should seek to emulate.
My dear brothers
Time that is wisely spent will become witnesses to our good deeds in the Hereafter. Conversely, time that is wasted will lead only to regret. Let us strive to value time and utilise it for good in this world and the Hereafter.
May Allah s.w.t. make us among His servants who appreciate the blessing of time and use it for righteous purposes. May He keep us away from unproductive actions and forgive us for any mistakes we have made in managing the blessing of time. And may He grant us success in this world and the Hereafter. Amin, Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، 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 تَسْلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ.
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، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ اكْتُبِ السِّلْمَ وَالسَّلاَمَ وَالأَمْنَ وَالأَمَانَ لِلْعَالَمِ كُلِّهِ وَلِلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ. 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 يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ يُعْطِكُم، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
