Living in a multicultural society

Maasyiral muslimin rahimakumullah,

On this blessed day, I appeal to you. I appeal to all my brothers-in-Islam and myself to improve our Taqwa. Let us face this day with the determination to leave all that Allah forbids for the rest of our lives. And let us renew our resolution. Let us resolve to fulfil all of Allah's Instructions.

Brothers, remember that we are muslims. As muslims, we must submit ourselves fully to Allah's Laws and Guidance. Full submission means that we cannot choose to follow only some laws while ignoring others. Remember that the punishment for such people is the fire that burns in Hell.

My beloved brothers,

Today is a day of celebration. Today, Muslims round the world celebrate Eid Adha. So great is Allah's Bounty that He gives us two days to celebrate. Eid Fitr and Eid Adha, days which are celebrated with food and happiness. The celebrations are so important that it is haram for any Muslims to fast on these days. Eid Fitr is a celebration of victory. Victory over our desires and temptations. Eid Adha is a day which symbolises one of the five pillars in Islam, the deed of the Hajj.

Hajj. An ibadah which possesses many benefits that are hidden from the eyes of many Muslims. With this ibadah, a true mukmin would receive unimaginable wisdom and rewards. Wisdom - of the importance of sacrifice. Rewards - in the sweetness of iman. This could only be understood by those who see beyond the physical effects of this ibadah.

Allah's Blessings and Forgiveness are countless, but it could not be given easily. For us to receive Allah's Blessings, we must be ready to sacrifice. We must put in great effort and determination to receive a Hajj that is mabrur. Only then would we be cleansed of all our sins, like a newborn baby, pure and innocent. This is only achieved by those who are determined, patient and willing to sacrifice their time and efforts.

Allahu Akbar 3x

My dear Brothers,

It is during the Hajj season that we could witness the amazing sight of millions of Muslims in the same place. All gathering to perform their ibadah to Allah s.w.t. Whether they are rich or poor. Or whether they are from the East or West. The gathering on the Field of Arafah reveals the beauty of Islam, creating togetherness in the midst of differences. Here, rank or race becomes meaningless. Everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah, except for those who have taqwa.

Allah has made Man in different colours and races. This is a sunnatullah. Allah did not create these differences so that certain races could feel superior. Allah created these differences so that we would learn to have respect for one another. To understand their their cultures. In Surah Al-Hujurat, line 13, Allah s.w.t states:

Which means: " O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware."

This is Allah's Will. Brothers, do not think that it is impossible for Allah to create Man in only one race and language. Allah has given us diversity as His Gift. Instead of being one race, we are now bounded by something stronger than race. And what is that bond? Islam.

In this world, there are Malays, Chinese, Indians, Arabs and many other races. However, this does not give us a reason to feel superior towards each other. For only Allah is All-Powerful. It is only Man who are confused and who do not understand the true purpose of diversity.

Allah created different races so that we can learn from one another. To have humility and to treat each other with respect. To develop a tolerance and understanding towards other races. Through these values, we would be more appreciative of Allah's Greatness and Richness in His Creations.

My brothers,

Islam holds the key to peace and harmony. For Muslims are encouraged to increase their understanding of other cultures and races. Through such understanding, only peace and harmony would exist. This is especially important in a country as multicultural as Singapore. For if every race is only concerned of improving their own community, then the country will be in chaos. With chaos, the country would eventually face destruction.

Allahu Akbar 3x

My brothers-in-Islam,

Contrary to popular belief, Islam never forbids the integration of a multicultural or multireligious country. Just look at the country that was built by Rasulullah s.a.w. in Madinah. Not all of the people are Muslims. Some of them were Jewish, Christians and even Munafiqs. Although many of them were Arabs, some were also from Africa, Persia and many other countries. There were so many languages and cultures in Madinah that Allah had given Rasulullah s.a.w. the ability to speak many languages, even if he had never lived with them.

My fellow Muslims,

Rasulullah and his companions had never used diversity as an excuse. Diversity was their reason for living harmoniously. Instead of using it to create difficulties for the other races, they only had the highest form of respect towards one another.

Being in a multicultural country, we cannot live without interacting with the other races. As Muslims, we cannot isolate ourselves. If we want others to respect us, then we must first learn about them. Through constant interaction and communication, other races would understand Islam. And how the religion has influenced our culture so much that everything now is based on Islamic principles.

Ignorance breeds fear and misunderstanding. Because people normally fear and judge what they do not understand, we must not allow this to continue. As Muslims, we need to prevent this from happening by being more accomodating in certain issues. Only then would we achieve peace and harmony in the country.

My brothers in Islam,

I am not saying that we must accommodate to everything. We must draw the line to Islamic Laws and Principles. If it was stated in Islam that something is halal, then we should not accommodate till we turn it into something that is haram. And vice versa. Once Allah states something as being haram, we cannot be so flexible that it becomes something that is halal. This is our guide to being a true Mukmin. We must not be hypocrites, who has been warned by Allah in Surah An-Nisaa, line 145:

Which means: " Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of the Fire; no helper will you find for them."

My dear brothers in Islam,

Islam is like a house. No one can see the beauty of the house if the windows and doors are not open. Therefore, how would we expect non-Muslims to understand and appreciate Islam if we lock them out? How could they see why we love and practice Islamic Laws?

Allah did not create the beauty of Islam only for the Muslims. In fact, it becomes our responsibility to share Islam's Beauty to the non-Muslims. Maybe, that is the step that they need to embrace Islam. At the very least, they would leave with a better understanding of Islam and why we live our lives according to Islamic Guidelines.

My brothers, please remember that we can only open the windows and doors. We cannot destroy the pillars of Islam so that it appears more exciting and acceptable to other races. We can invite others to enjoy the beauty of Islam without destroying its priciples. Here, we can see the difference between those who believe in Allah and Rasul and those who are non-believers.

My brothers,

What is the difference between the two groups of people? Iman and Taqwa. It is Iman and Taqwa which separate those who go to Heaven and those who only deserve to go to Hell. Iman and Taqwa are not based on the colour of your skin, your language or your race. They are within Muslims. They drive us to become better individuals. Individuals who bring rahmat and help unto others. Not individuals who are only obsessed about wealth and themselves.

Those with Iman and Taqwa, are those who know who they really are. That they are the servants of Allah s.w.t. This would plant the feelings of humility and tawadhu'. What do we have that we should feel superior towards each other? Everything in this world is created by Allah. Everything that we own also belongs to Allah. Our wealth, our bodies, our minds and our souls are all Allah's Gifts. What do we have to be proud of? Our achievements? When even that is achieved with Allah's Blessings and Help? So, what do we really have to be proud of?

My brothers in Islam,

With Iman and Taqwa, a Muslim will be encouraged to practise respect for one another. He will truly understand the meaning of doing dakwah bil-hal. Which means, to perform dakwah through your actions. A form of dakwah that is very effective.

Dakwah bil-hal is Rasulullah s.a.w's lifelong practise. His moral conduct had drawn many people to embrace Islam. His trustworthiness and amanah had long since impressed the community of Quraisy Arabs. So much so that he was named Al-Amin, the Truthful One. This is dakwah bil-hal. Dakwah through your personal qualities and your actions. It is useless for someone to preach on the beauty of Islam, if he does not live up the beauty in his words and actions.

My brothers,

Let us live in the example of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. We must be proud to be Muslims. We must be proud of our religion that is beautiful and complete. Let us perform dakwah bil-hal. Our actions and words should be the mirrors of Islam for the non-Muslims. Let their understanding and appreciation of Islam increase by reflecting the Truth of Islam in our dealings and interaction with them.

To do this, we must be educated. Islam encourages us to learn and to continue learning. Our time is too precious for meaningless entertainment and ambitions. We must use our time on Earth wisely, so that we will benefit from it here and in the world hereafter.

So, why do we keep having failures? Because we are lost. Lost in a world of meaningless activities and entertainment. How could we gain the respect of other communities when we do not take our education seriously? Especially, when education is something that is important in Islam as it destroys ignorance.

Brothers,

If we remain uneducated, we become Syaitan's tools. Why? Since we would be easily influenced and lied to. A person with knowledge would not be as weak. And he would also receive greater rewards in his ibadah. Therefore, he would receive rewards both in this world and in the hereafter. This is why Islam encourages education. Since it is needed to reflect the beauty of Islam to the rest of the world.

My brothers in Islam,

Begging and shouting would not force non-Muslims to respect us. What is the use of preaching the beauty of Islam when you destroy the beauty in your own actions and words? Today. Now, we must begin performing dakwah bil-hal. We must reveal Islam's Beauty to the eyes of the world through ourselves.

In pursuit of education, we must never neglect our physical and financial responsibilities. Islam is a complete way of life. Muslims should never live only for the hereafter while neglecting their life on this world. Islam encourages us to be successful and independent. This attitude should be reflected to the non-Muslims. For it will show them that we are not against advancements in the world. Only then, would the true meaning of Islam be revealed. That Islam is a religion that pushes its people to excel in this world and in the hereafter.

Brothers,

The key to respect and success is in our hands. If we want to succeed in both worlds, then we must follow all of Allah's Laws and Guidance. But be prepared. For if we choose to spend our time, in meaningless entertainment, in daydreams and laziness, then we will fail.

Allah has given us the key. Now, let us pray that Allah will provide us with taufiq and hidayah. Let us pray that we would have the determination to become true mukmins. May Allah accept all our ibadah, especially our korbans that are happening after this. Baarakallah...... 1 11