Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura Friday Sermon 1 July 2011 / 29 Rejab 1432 Lessons From Stories Of Al-Quran

Dear blessed congregant, Let us extend our gratitude to Allah s.w.t. by enhancing our taqwa to Him. Take this opportunity to increase our efforts in fulfilling our duties to Allah with devotion and obedience. Let
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us also strive as best as we possibly can, to leave behind all of His prohibitions. My dear brethren, As an introduction to todays sermon, let us ponder over the words of Allah s.w.t. reminding us to carefully internalise the contents of the Holy Quran. Allah s.w.t. says in surah Shaad verse 29:

Meaning: (This is) a Scripture (Al-Quran) that We have revealed unto you, full of blessings, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect. Dear beloved brothers, Before I proceed with todays sermon, allow me to invite you to contemplate and conduct some personal reflections; Can we ask ourselves, when did we last open the Al-Quran, when did we last read the Al-Quran, or when did we last ponder upon the meanings of the verses in the Holy Quran? Was it just today, yesterday or was it during the month of Ramadan last year?

My blessed brothers, Let it be known that a true Muslim is one who makes the recitation of the Al-Quran as a regular activity in his daily life. This is the way of life for every Mukmin who claims to be the ummah of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and loves Rasulullah s.a.w. The verses of the Al-Quran should not just be a beautiful embroidered decoration on our walls, or be kept hidden in our drawers, or be used as a gift during nikah solemnizations. But, in reality, the Al-Quran is a legacy left behind by the Prophet s.a.w. as a guide to his ummah throughout the ages. Allah s.w.t. says in surah Luqman verses 2-3:

Which means: These are Verses of the Wise Book, a Guide and a Mercy to the Doers of Good. My beloved brothers, In the Al-Quran, there are many exemplary stories, parables and comparisons that Allah has provided for us to contemplate on. It is therefore true when Allah s.w.t. says in surah Ar-Rum verse 58:
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Meaning: And certainly We have set forth for men every kind of example in this Quran Wouldnt it be wonderful if we can put in some effort to learn and discover the beautiful and instructive stories in the AlQuran to serve as a guide in facing lifes daily challenges? Indeed, herein lies the distinction of the Al-Quran; because it can serve as lessons and realizations, if we truly reflect and wish to take lessons from it. Therefore, let us increase our interaction with the Al-Quran. Make the Al-Quran as our daily companion at every moment. In fact, through advancements in technology, the content of the Al-Quran can now be downloaded and be made as an application on our mobile phones, so that we are ready to read them at any time. At the same time, this increased interaction with the Al-Quran should not be limited to merely reading or memorizing the AlQuran, but it must serve to improve our understanding and appreciation of the meanings of the verses.

For example, when we come across verses which exemplify the mercy and love of Allah s.w.t. upon us, we should pause for a while and express our intense gratitude to Allah as a sign of our hope for Him. Similarly, when we come across verses which describe the punishments of Allah s.w.t. on a certain group of people, we should pause for a while and conduct a personal reflection upon ourself, and beg from Allah s.w.t. for us to be kept far away from His punishments. Let us ponder upon this hadith narrated by one companion named Huzhaifah r.a.: I happened to pray one night with the Prophet s.a.w., wherein the Prophet read surah Al-Baqarah followed by surah An-Nisaa and then Ali-Imran. The Prophet s.a.w. recited slowly, and when he read verses praising Allah he recited the Tasbih, and when he read verses on supplication he supplicated to Allah, and when he read verses about seeking protection from Allah, he made taawwudz (seeking protection from Allah) Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim. Certainly, when each recitation is read with full concentration, profound appreciation and complete awareness, it will
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produce a feeling of realization and remorse within ourselves and hopefully, that will inspire and motivate us to be closer to Allah s.w.t. Allah s.w.t. says in surah Al-Maaidah verse 83:

Meaning: When they listen to that which hath been revealed unto the messengers, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. They say: Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the witnesses. Therefore, let us all together intensify our efforts to not only read the Al-Quran, but also to understand, appreciate and learn from the stories narrated therein. Hopefully, they can serve as examples and guidance in our daily lives. May such an appreciation produce individuals, families and communities, who will be stronger in faith, full of taqwa and righteousness, and adorned with beautiful, noble characters. We pray that with such efforts, we will receive Allahs pleasure, forgiveness, protection and love, and directly attain

success in this world and in the hereafter. Amin Ya Rabbal Alamin.