• True faith is not merely belief within our hearts; it must translate intoactions and words that fill our time with obedience and goodness towardsothers.

• Time that is wisely spent will become witnesses to our good deeds in the Hereafter. Conversely, time that is wasted will lead only to regret.

The Sunnah does not teach us to be harsh toward those who disagree, particularly on issues where scholars have differing interpretations.

When we look into the life of the Prophet s.a.w., we find several guiding principles in dealing with differences of opinion:

First: Be open-hearted when differences arise.

Second: Uphold the Sunnah of the Prophet s.a.w. when faced with differing opinions.

Three aspects of Rasulullah’s life which we can apply within our families:

First: Rasulullah s.a.w.’s affection towards his family. For those who are husbands, this is our call to embody the sunnah of the Prophet and be an exemplary partner.

Second: Mercy and gentleness. For the fathers, elders, and seniors amongst us, this is our reminder to be a role model for the younger generation.

Third: Respecting the Elderly. For the younger generation, this is our reminder to show respect to our elders.

The word Islam is derived from the root word "Salam" which means peace.

The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. understood the importance of peace in managing social life. He advised the Muslim community to spread peace to maintain harmony, resolve conflicts, and ensure a prosperous life.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. successfully uplifted the Muslim community, transforming them from a persecuted group into a confident community which advocates for peace.

• Wakaf refers to the practice of allocating a portion of our wealth or property for the benefit of society, with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure.
• Even though the public housing system today does not allow us to make wakaf of our homes, it does not mean that the opportunity to make wakaf or endowments has closed entirely.
• The Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS) can help ensure that our intention to perform continuous charity is achieved.

The challenges of living in society will make us more resilient, confident, and assured.

Let us think about the principles and religious guidance in interacting with others:
Firstly: Develop togetherness and unity amongst community members.
Secondly: Fostering social awareness and a sense of shared responsibility.

The exemplary leadership of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w succeeded in establishing bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. In addition, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. also established the mosque as an institution that is central to religious and community life. There are two lessons from these events:

Firstly: The importance of fostering ukhuwah or brotherhood in building a strong community.

Secondly: The importance of making our religious institutions, such as mosques, core centres in our efforts to empower the community.

The Hijrah symbolises faith, sacrifice, renewal, and well-being. The Hijrah and the month of Muharram emphasise that Islam is a religion that opposes all forms of injustice. This is the guidance of Islam, especially in the time of trials and confusion that we are experiencing today.

Firstly: We are not a community that responds to oppression with greater evil.

Secondly: Do not let the injustice that persists become an excuse or barrier for us to do good and to be just.

Three key takeaways from the migration (hijrah) of our prophet s.a.w. to Madinah:

Firstly: The Prophet s.a.w. meticulously planned and made efforts to ensure his safety before placing his complete trust in Allah s.w.t.

Secondly: The Prophet s.a.w. and his Companions supported one another during the journey of hijrah.

Lastly: Only Allah s.w.t. knows what is best for His servants. Our duty is to strive andimprove ourselves.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. took proactive steps to find solutions, always thought ahead, and demonstrated profound patience.

Every obstacle and challenge requires perseverance and the determination to overcome.

Praying is sometimes the better and perhaps more strategic option.

It is essential to remember that Allah s.w.t has decreed the legislation regarding inheritance or faraid. When something is decreed by the Most Knowledgeable, there is surely wisdom in it.

Although faraid stipulates specific shares for heirs, Allah SWT also encourages that any surplus obtained after the distribution should be shared among other family members, including those who are not direct heirs.

Apart from the distribution of inheritance through faraid, there are several estate planning instruments that can be utilized by individuals during their lifetime, such as wills, nomination of gifts, and others.

Ramadan has taught us the value of mercy in life. It has nurtured within us the meaning of goodness, and instilled in us timeless wisdom. 

Let us reflect on our individual weaknesses. A confident, resilient, and empowered community is built upon three pillars. Firstly, deepening knowledge and understanding of religion. Secondly, nurturing noble morals and values. And thirdly, fostering a culture of contributing towards goodness. Let us contemplate these three pillars.

The ritual of sacrifice that we perform every year aims to strengthen the hearts that are pious and good.

The central principle of ihsan or benevolence in a Muslim’s life should drive us as Muslims to act now, not only to act when the damage has already occurred.

As Muslims who lay claim to be Allah’s khalifah on this earth, it is imperative that we preserve and protect our environment. We should be at the forefront in contributing to solutions to these existential challenges.

Our children are a special gift from Allah, and at the same time, a responsibility.

Children require a positive environment within the family, one filled with love, affection, and the best security.

Children require continuous guidance. It is upon us to ensure that children are kept away from ideas and actions that incur the displeasure of Allah s.w.t.

• As people of faith, we should continue striving to preserve our faith by constantly seeking beneficial knowledge.
• A true believer will adorn his faith with the beauty of his manners. Faith and good character are two values that are closely related to each other and cannot be separated.
• We can make a resolution this new year to deepen our understanding of religious knowledge.

• We are now in the blessed month in which our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was born. He was a person who tirelessly strived to spread the religion of Islam.
• The Prophet (s.a.w.) encountered a thousand and one tests in carrying out his responsibilities. Some strongly rejected his call to Islam, turning friends into foes and severing relationships. Despite being called "al-Amin" which means “the Trustworthy” in the past, he was still subjected to insults and ridicule.
• Yet, the Prophet (s.a.w.) remained patient in the face of adversity.  He did not negatively respond to the wrongs done to him, even after Allah granted him victory. Instead, he chose forgiveness over enmity

• Prophet Yunus (a.s) never lost faith in Allah, glorifying Him through praises and acknowledging his own weaknesses. This is the essence of true servitude. This essence is manifested through the remembrance (zikr) and manifested through his actions - especially when he experienced difficulties.
• As humans, we are bound to face difficulties and challenges that are inevitable in life. The pangs of sadness, disappointment, and despair are all too familiar to us. The loss of loved ones, financial struggles, job hunting can leave us feeling helpless and vulnerable.
• But in these moments of darkness, we must not lose sight of our faith in Allah. For He is the light that guides us through the shadows, the beacon of hope that illuminates our path. We must not falter, nor should we give up. Instead, we must seek wisdom and goodness in every challenge that we face.

• The story of Prophet Musa (a.s) teaches us the importance of referring to those who are more knowledgeable than us regarding the particular field or sector. Indeed, it is our responsibility to keep going back to the subject matter experts. If the issue at hand is related to medicine, then we should speak to a medical professional. Similarly, when it comes to religious matters, we should direct our queries to certified Asatizah.

• In this day and age where information is widely available and accessible to all, it is important that we become more critical about our sources of reference. This is because sometimes the information that we find online are neither credible, nor are they in line with the accepted understanding of our religion. In fact, there are individuals out there who use religion for their own benefit and to promote their personal interest or agenda.

• The verse 18 in Surah Qaf urges every individual to be accountable for all the words that they utter. Consider this, my brothers and sisters: Everything we say, every word we utter, will be recorded by the angels. Our words will then bear witness for us, or against us in the Hereafter.

• The rapid development of information technology has enabled every individual to have easy and ready access to information. All sorts of information are available online, including information related to an individual's personal life. Additionally, anyone can share their opinions online, and on various social media platforms. The internet gives freedom for its users to express his or her opinion without any limits.

• Think first about the soundness and the potential impact of our opinion before speaking. Remember that our words have the power and effect to influence others. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, we must be sensitive and careful with the words we utter, so that we are not questioned in the Hereafter.

Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Islamic history

Sa'd Bin Abi Waqqas RA