Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura Friday Sermon 26 September 2014 / 1 Zulhijjah 1435 Honouring The Love Of Our Parents Blessed Friday Jemaah, Let us strive hard to increase our takwa to Allah. Obey all of Allah’s commands and avoid what He has prohibited upon us. Hopefully, by strengthening our iman and takwa, it can provide us with the strength to face the various challenges and hurdles in life. Beloved Jemaah, Often, when we hear the words “love” and “affection”, many would think of the love between couples or the love between a husband and wife. However, the love that is no less, if not even more important, is the love towards our parents. They are the first two people who have taught and shown us the meaning of true love. They took great care of us and made countless sacrifices for us. The love and affection showered by parents are gifts from Allah for a child to grow up well. Let us reflect upon what Allah has said in surah Luqman, verse 15, which is a reminder for every true believer (mukmin) to treat their parents well. Allah says in the Quran: Which means: “But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” Jemaah, There is a story behind the verse that I have just recited. It was a reminder directed from Allah s.w.t. to a companion of the Prophet s.a.w. The companion was Saad ibn Abi Waqqas r.a. Saad bin Abi Waqqas r.a. was a prolific companion of Rasulullah s.a.w. In fact, even before he accepted Islam, Saad was already well-known among the people of Mecca as a son who was devoted and committed to serving his mother. When his mother found out that he had accepted Islam, she tried to persuade him to leave Islam. Once, she even threatened not to eat if Saad did not leave Islam. Despite that, Saad was devoted to his mother, preparing her daily meals, and continued to persuade her to eat. After not eating for several days, his mother fainted because she was too tired and too weak. When she regained consciousness, Saad placed a plate of food in front of her and said: “My dear mother, by Allah, I truly love you. But, my love for Allah and His Messenger overpowers my love for this world and all of its contents. Even if you had 100 lives, and it leaves you one by one, I will still not leave this religion.” Perhaps there are some of us who may think that there is no mistake or harm in Saad ibn Abi Waqqas’ response, and that Saad has the right and the truth to answer as such. However, at that moment jemaah, Allah s.w.t. revealed that particular verse in surah Luqman to Rasulullah s.a.w. The verse that was recited earlier was to serve as a reminder to Saad ibn Abi Waqqas that despite the fact that his mother did not believe in Allah and Rasulullah, it did not mean that Saad could treat his mother with any less kindness and respect. If Saad’s words were considered inappropriate and was reprimanded by Allah, what about us – who have raised our voices or used harsh words against our parents! Dear Jemaah, For those of us who have yet to experience the nikmah of taking care of children, know that this responsibility is a blessing from Allah and at the same time, a very big test. Thus, Islam emphasises that parents have a very special place. The verse recited earlier shows that a believer should not neglect and hurt the feelings of their parents. For example, sometimes without realising it, we may be too enthusiastic to apply the Islamic knowledge that we have learned, to the point that we may end up being harsh to our parents or our relatives. This could be due to us thinking that what only what we have learned is the truth, while others’ opinions are wrong. Let us not forget the valuable advice of Rasulullah s.a.w. to his companion who came from Yemen to take part in the jihad but still had both his parents at home. Rasulullah s.a.w asked him: “Did both of them (your parents) give you permission (to take part in the jihad)?” He replied: “no.” Rasulullah said: “Return to them and seek their permission, If they allow you, then take part in the jihad, (if they do not permit, then) do good to them.” [Hadith reported by Abu Daud] Beloved Jemaah, Taking care of our parents, especially our elderly and aged parents, definitely requires a lot of effort. It calls for much patience and a high level of commitment. That is why we find that when Allah s.w.t. commands one to serve and treat their parents kindly, Allah s.w.t. commands one to be humble in front of one’s parents. Allah s.w.t. says in surah Al-Isra’ verse 24: Which means: “And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility.” Humble ourselves, even when we feel that our opinion is right. We should realise that parents have gained wisdom and experience that we have yet to gain. When they advise or reprimand us, do not listen to our ego and immediately dismiss what they say. Try to reflect upon their advice and take what is good from it. Know that there is no winning or losing party when we are discussing an issue with our parents. It is only a question of who will receive Allah’s pleasure or incur the reverse. Hence, let those who are facing such situations know that if they face this matter with patience, then the reward that is awaiting them is Allah’s paradise. Indeed, blessed are those who are bestowed with this reward. And to those who waste this opportunity, let them reflect upon the hadith of Rasulullah s.a.w which the angel Jibril a.s. said “amin” for: “Woe to him in whose presence his parents or one of them attain old age, and through failure to serve them is not allowed to enter Paradise.” [Hadith reported by Imam Muslim] Jemaah, Just as much as we are commanded to instil rahmah when dealing with our parents, we are also encouraged by Islam to be rahmatan lil alamin or blessings to all. Thus, the mosques in Singapore have organised various activities to instil rahmah in ourselves – in dealing with our families, interacting with the environment and also to be conscious of our health. Let us ensure that we continue to enliven the spirit of rahmatan lil alamin in our daily lives. May Allah give us the strength and the resilience to be obedient children to our parents. May Allah bless our parents just as how they cared and loved us when we were young, and even until today. May we be blessed with obedient children who will in turn care for us with kindness and patience, just as how we strive to do so for our parents.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 03:19:52 +0000
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