ISLAM’S CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITY

AIDIL FITRI SERMON

FOR


14 November 2004M
1 Syawal 1425H


Published by

Islamic Religious Council of Singapore


http://www.muis.gov.sg/rservices




MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA

AIDIL FITRI SERMON 2004 / 1425H



Blessed Congregation,
On this blessed morning congregation, I would like to remind myself and fellow brothers and sisters to be consistent in our efforts to achieve Taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. and be steadfast in reviving the glory of Islam. Let us pray that we do not leave this world with Allah’s anger.

Our deepest gratitude to Allah The Most Benevolent Who have showered us with His bountiful blessings. On this yaumul jaizah, Allah bestows the award of al-Falah, (success) and al-Izzah, (gratification) to all those who have successfully graduated from Ramadan al mubarak. We pray that we are given the opportunity to continuously intensify our praises to Him for the nikmat of Iman and taqwa.

Blessed Brothers and Sisters,

We have just left the month of Ramadan. Today, Idul Fitri is not just about celebrating our success for having completed Ramadan. Neither is the departure of Ramadan an anti-climax to the month long ibadah we have religiously performed.

Today indicates our readiness to return to our natural state or fitrah; to where we first originated, clean and pure. Idul Fitri upgrades men’s status in playing our role as the vicegerents (khalifah) of Allah on this earth.

Natural state here means the state where all men seek peace at heart, thirst for universal and social justice, democracy in developing human potential and building their own civilisation.

We trust it is only with Islam we can obtain peace in our hearts. It is with Islam universal justice can flourish and that with Islam social harmony can be maintained and humanity will be upheld.

The fact that Allah created us perfect and pure and He gave us the assignment to be the vicegerents (khalifah) on this earth in itself contributed to human civilisation.

Men as vicegerents (khalifah) of Allah have the capacity to carry out this mission for human civilisation. Allah commanded in Al-Baqarah ayah 30:
“And remember when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place mankind generations after generations on earth.” They said: Will you place therein those who make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You”. He said: “I know that which you do not know.”

Blessed Brothers and Sisters,

That is the level of honour Islam has placed on men. Islam contributes to the world civilisation in respecting human rights. Islam do not question men’s potential in leading the earth as vicegerents (Khalifah) of Allah and managing the world resources. Allah Almighty has created men perfect with knowledge and information and the ability to plan, administer and develop its own civilisation.

In this aspect, the human quality is assessed through their ability to contribute and be of benefit to others. This was mentioned by Allah s.w.t in Surah an-Nahl ayah 76:



Which means: “And Allah puts forward the example of two men, one of them dumb, who has no power over anything and he is a burden on his master, whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a man equal to one believer who commands justice, and is himself on the Straight Path?”

The above ayah shares the difference between someone who is of quality and someone who is not. In the first instance, it pictured someone who has lost his worth, not productive and fails to contribute and simply comfortable being a user who later becomes a liability to others.


The second person however is someone who is of benefit to others and able to function on the path of justice. Those who fall in second description are those whom Allah mentioned will be on shiratim mustaqim.

Islam introduces us on development of human resources. Islam contributes to human empowerment and human development. These are not claimed by men but mentioned by Allah in His book, which indicates men’s high stature and potential in managing this world.

Blessed brothers and sisters,
Apart from being given the honour to develop its own civilisation, Islam too contributes in maintaining human ties. We need to understand that a civilisation does not happen with the click of the fingers. Our forefathers put in sweat and tears through their tireless efforts over years and generations to build a civilisation from the time of Adam and Siti Hajar r.a. up to their children and grandchildren. Indeed through individual, family and racial ties we are able to experience the difference in the human products we see today.
Men have to interact amongst themselves on the basis of friendship, respect, helping one another, brotherhood and unity.

Islam respects men just like how men and their characteristics were created. A lot of the ayah in the Quran talks and directed at humans. The diversity in race, religions and standard of living will make us realise on the need to understand one another and have sympathy for others.

This is where Allah has brilliantly institutionalised the concept of zakah, hibah, sadaqah and wakaf mechanisms for those who are rich and when they give, it helps them cleanse their wealth. It is only Islam, which has made this as an ibadah, and this is a contribution towards humanity. Allah commanded in Surah AlMaidah ayah 48:
Which means: “To each among you, We have prescribed a law and clear way. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that He may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds”.
In another ayah in surah Al-Hujurat ayah 13, Allah s.w.t. said:
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 believer who has At-Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

If Allah had wanted only one opinion, one nation and religion, He could have done it. However, with His blessings and nature, that did not take place. Differences open up opportunities to live as a society. It provides us the opportunities to have differences in opinions, way of doing things, physical outlook and ultimately evoke the spirit of competing towards betterment, welfare and revival.


Blessed brothers and sisters,
As the world faces social problems and moral deterioration, Islam offers a living system that is more decent and responsible that thrives on faith. The belief that exists in the heart of a Muslim will create the spirit of obedience towards Allah s.w.t in managing the spiritual, economical, educational and other living systems and make living more harmonious and just.

Islam has placed values like consensus, fairness, moderation and unburdening. The Islamic Jurisprudence thrives on 2 main bases: firstly the matter should rid (Mafsadah) evil and secondly the matter must achieve (Maslahah) goodness and importance.

When Islam fights against oppression, injustice, greed, terrorism, gambling, atrocity and whatever illness that bring bad effects to mankind, it is to uphold 5 objectives of syariah or better known as maqasid syariah that is to safeguard people’s religion, soul, wealth, mind and their descendents. Here, we see Islam’s contribution in maintaining living order and human civilisation.



Blessed brothers and sisters,

We now know Islam’s contribution towards humanity. How do we play our role? How do we project Islam’s contribution towards mankind? We have no choice but to become a model nation that brings blessings to all mankind; the best ummah, khaira ummah.

Personalities the likes of Qarun, Pharoah or Abu Jahal cannot last in human civilisation and should never be idolised. History has shown that all of them fell together with the wealth, empire and power they once were proud of.

Islam has taught us that only the nation that contributes and be of benefit to humankind is able to last in the history of human civilisation. Other than getting beneficial knowledge, among the characteristics of a khaira ummah is one, which contributes, and not one that gives or worse, a source of problem to the living society.



A strong basis in maintaining human ties and interaction between men and the universe is rahmatan lil ‘alamin; blessings to all mankind and the universe.

This requires the practice of good moral values in every individual Muslim. Muslims need to embody the concept of (syuhada’ ala- Nas), a witness to mankind to bring peace that goes beyond the boundaries of religion, race and country. On the same note, Muslims should practise Islam that is holistic, moderate and balanced as that is the way to shiratal mustaqim.

We must trust Allah’s promise to those who have been beneficial and contributed in the human civilisation. These are the people who are worthy to receive izzah, honour from Allah on this earth and the hereafter. Allah commanded in the Al-Quran in Surah Ar-Raad ayah 17:
Which means: “He sends down rain from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface and also from that ore which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allah by parables show forth truth and falsehood. Then as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth”.

How beautiful Allah sets forth parables and promises honour for those who joined hands to work towards the betterment of mankind.




Only those who are faithful to Allah and the hereafter as well as sacrificing oneself to undertake the cause of doing good for the benefit of mankind, universe and the hereafter and dutifully carry out al’amru bil ma’ruf, wa nahyui ‘anil munkar is worthy of receiving the rewards on this earth and the hereafter.

Let us together build an Islamic generation that is righteous and able to become qudwah hasanah, good examples. May our efforts enable us to be placed in the most dignified place in Allah’s eyes that is His Jannah, Amin.