al-firaushah

An Exemplary Ummah

June 17, 2006 on 12:55 pm | In MUIS Khutbahs |

Khutbah from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
2 June 2006 / 5 Jamadil Awal 1427
Dear Brothers

Let us maintain our taqwa to Allah (swt) by doing all that He commands and avoiding all that He forbids. And InsyaAllah, we will become the best Ummah.

Allah says in surah Al-Imran (3), ayat 110:

You are the best of Peoples evolved for mankind. Enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah.

From the verse that has been quoted just now, Allah (swt) has clarified that Muslims are the best community that Allah (swt) has created. Muslims not only believe in Allah (swt), but also invite others to believe in Allah (swt), doing all the good deeds, stopping and avoiding one’s self and others from doing bad things.

It is very clear from the verse that Muslims are supposed to be an inspiration and model to the others. Muslims should guide and bring others to righteousness, to Islam and to believe in Allah (swt), whether in a direct way or by giving good examples by doing good deeds.

That was what our prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions were doing.

Our Prophet (saw) was born in a Jahilliah society that was full of cruelty and injustice. It is very easy for someone who is born in such a society to be influenced and get involved in all kinds of negative and bad deeds.

However our Prophet (saw) did not let himself become influenced. He became a model to be followed. Our Prophet (saw) became a leader that led his society to righteousness, starting with his own family members, his relatives and, later, to his close companions. He became a model to be followed from his character, practices and leadership that changed the Jahilliah society.

What about us today? Are we leaders and models for others to follow? Or are we ourselves following the non-Islamic values and lifestyles? We don’t need to form a committee or do research to find the answer. It is very clear and obvious that we are not ahead, we are left behind in many fields. We are merely followers and not being role models.

In fact, in good behavior, we are not role models. By right we are supposed to be followed in our good behavior, because we are given the blessings of Islam that is filled with good values.

Just look at how our teenagers are dressing and socializing, and the crimes they are involved in. In addition, there are some Muslims participating in mungkar entertainment and partying in public places without feeling shy. It is done in the name of entertainment.

These are the challenges of Dakwah today. The Prophet Muhammad (saw). faced this in his time. Such that he prayed:

“Then the Messenger will say: ‘O my Lord! Truly my people took this Quran for just foolish nonsense.’ Thus have We made for every prophet an enemy among the sinners, but enough is your Lord to guide and to help.” (Surah al-Furqan 25:30-1)
Dear Brothers,

It is not surprising to hear from non-Muslims, saying that Islam is the best religion in this world but Muslims are not role models. If that is the opinion of the non-Muslims about us, because of our attitudes and actions that do not comply with our religion and not being role-models to the others, just imagine how Allah (swt) sees us after giving us the blessing of Islam.

If we Muslims do not lead and are not being followed by others in doing good deeds and promoting universal values, but only being followers, sooner or later we Muslims will be part of the society that we are following.

So, from now on, let us have the determination to be leaders in righteousness and promoting good values. We must be a role model to others and let us call and invite others to Allah (swt) by showing good deeds.

In every field that we are doing, we must always strive very hard to achieve excellence. For example, we as parents should show good examples to our children. As workers, we should work hard and consider our work as an amanah. In behavior or akhlaq, Muslims have to show kindness and good akhlaq to all. For surely, good akhlaq builds trust and wins respect from others. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,

I have been sent to complete the best of akhlaq.

In our relationship with other races, Muslims must always be kind to neighbours, friends, and colleagues. We must be gentle and show kindness to them because this is what Allah (swt) taught us in Surah Mumtahinah (60), ayat 8:

“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

In summary, every Muslim must be a role model, a qudwah hasanah. Hopefully through this, it will create a healthy environment for our families and, later, for our society.

If we read the history of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions, we will find that a lot of non-Muslims converted to Islam after witnessing the behaviors, actions and attributes of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his companions.

Let us be the Ummah with good behavior. Be an excellent Ummah that is a model and inspiration to all. Follow all the Islamic values. Let us be leaders, leaders in good behavior, leaders in promoting good values. By this we will be a model Ummah, the best Ummah and a community of excellence.
Glossary:
Akhlaq: The practice of virtue. Morals.
Amanah: The trust. Of all creation, only human beings carry the “trust,” which is free will.
Dakwah: The call to Islam. Also known as Da’wah.
InsyaAllah: The Bahasa Melayu spelling of Insha’Allah, meaning, “If God wills” or “God willing.”
Jahilliah: The time of ignorance before Islam was realized. Describes polytheistic religions.
Mungkar: Things or actions that would be displeasing to Allah (swt).
Qudwah Hasanah: To lead by example; to be a role model.
(saw): These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,” which means, “may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him.” When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.
(swt): These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.” When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him by reciting this. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.
Taqwa: Piety, fear of God, righteousness; goodness.
Ummah: The global community of all Muslim believers; international personhood of Islam.