Downloadables Khutbahs
for Friday Prayers

Therefore, we need to always examine the state of our iman or faith. In our modern context, we are exposed to many issues on a daily basis. Infact, our lives revolve around them. These include global issues and scientific and technological advancements. Our challenge will continue to grow, as we seek to inculcate a profound, well-established and resilient faith. This applies especially to the faith of our children and our young.?

For example, as we speak of the Oneness of Allah, our faith and believe will be resilient and will not easily be shaken, if we have built this faith on a deep understanding of the Holy Quran and the Prophetic traditions (Sunnah). Our faith will be much stronger, and more resilient, when we are able to provide rational and scientific arguments and proofs for our belief.

It was reported that Allah sent the angels guarding the mountains around Taif to offer the Prophet an option of destroying the people of Taif by moving the mountains unto them.

But the Holy Prophet s.a.w. rejected the offer, and with his compassion, he offered a prayer instead “Even if they reject Islam, I pray to Allah that their descendants will worship Allah s.w.t.”  

Our true love to the Prophet s.a.w. is by understanding the life, examples and Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

Unfortunately, sometimes we uphold sunnah in our rituals only, but we lack the appreciation and understanding of the purposes and objectives of such sunnah. Sometimes we uphold one sunnah, but we leave a greater sunnah in our lives.

Let us look at a companion of the Prophet s.a.w. called Sa'ad bin Muaz r.a. In him, we find an excellent example of the quality of actions and contributions, although he became a Muslim for a brief period of time only. He attained a very special status in the sight of Allah s.w.t. and His Prophet s.a.w.

 In our daily lives, we will encounter various challenges and problems. Whether in our family life or at work.

To overcome such problems, Islam teaches us to look at the matter or issue at hand from various perspectives, not in a narrow and limited manner.

Look at how Allah has honoured humankind. He blesses them with countless blessings. Allah grants them with His bounties. The Holy Prophet s.a.w. had manifested this respect for humanity in his life. The Prophet s.a.w. did not discriminate against anyone in offering them a helping hand or respect, not for their wealth or poverty, nor for their background.

 

With this, we can contribute to the good of all mankind. We cannot continue to benefit from others only. The spirit of contributing and spreading goodness must run in our blood, as the followers of Rasulullah s.a.w. For this is the path of Allah s.w.t. The path that leads to success and happiness in this world and the hereafter.

A Muslim who is truly grateful to Allah for the blessings of the intellect and mind, and the complete senses of sight, hearing and others, will certainly observe the world around him. Science explains to us many of Allah’s creations, and points to His Greatness through His creations. With this, we will discover the intricate details of the Greatness of Allah, by observing the complexities of His creations. Through this, we will be humbled and submit ourselves in obedience to our Creator.

A resilient faith grounded in deep knowledge and understanding, will not make us weaken at the sign of challenge or difficulty. Instead, such a Muslim will be able to confidently hold on to his faith, despite the enormity of challenges that he face.

Have we started to plan on how to upgrade and develop ourselves for this year? There is a lot of knowledge and skills out there to learn and benefit from? For those of us who are fathers, we ought to ask ourselves at the start of this new year: How can we develop and upgrade ourselves so as to benefit our young and teenage children?

 Singapore Muslim community in general, has an important role to uplift the religious life in this particular secular state. Let us continue to strive to uplift ourselves as a contributive community. Let us support the good iniciatives that has been done for our benefits. That is by either taking part in the programmes or to give positive feedbacks. If there are any shortcomings and weaknesses, we, as a community member have the right to share ideas which are rational, factual and accurately presented. This will enhance the academics discussion's culture objectively.  

 As the creations and servants of Allah s.wt, let us be grateful to Him for the gift of life. Our life is an opportunity for us to gather as much good deeds as possible to prepare for our afterlife. But as Allah’s creations on earth, we know that we have limited time and we do not live forever. With this limitation, we must use our time in the best possible manner. 

 We, as the ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., must apply these pure values in our daily lives. For example, a Muslim who applies the values of effort and reliance to Allah in his life will make efforts to remove his family members and himself from the shackles of problems. He will always remind himself of Allah’s words which means: (Allah is with us) whenever he is faced with any trial, tribulation or misfortune. This is because Allah s.w.t. will never disregards the good deeds and efforts done by His slave. The slave, who always turns to Allah, while making efforts with determination, will never be left in misery.

With the ushering in of the new year, we seek to renew our resolutions and breathe in fresh air. Let us therefore, think of the role each one of us can and should play to strengthen our community and overcome these issues collectively as one community. Consider the following guidelines from our religion. They are preventive in nature, and will make us proactive in forging a respectable and competitive community amidst a global and fast growing society...

 Just look at ourselves. We are blessed every second that we breathe well and comfortably. Our bodies that move and function despite how small or minute they may be, our eyes that see, our mouths that speak, our ears that listen, all these are the blessings of Allah s.w.t. upon us.