Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Friday Sermon
11 April 2025 / 12 Syawal 1446H
Balancing Cultural Identity and Religious Integrity
Dear blessed Congregation.
Let us cultivate taqwa by remaining steadfast in our obedience to Allah s.w.t., embracing His commands with sincerity, and distancing ourselves from all that He has forbidden. May we always strive to walk the path of righteousness and seek His pleasure in all that we do. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin
My dear brothers,
Syawal has brought us together in joy, enriched by our cultural traditions. As we embrace these moments, we can also preserve the spiritual growth and mindfulness cultivated during Ramadan. Our cultural heritage adds beautiful dimensions to our identity, and by thoughtfully aligning these traditions with Islamic principles, we strengthen both our family bonds and our faith.
Allah s.w.t says in Surah An-Nahl, verse 89:
Which means: "And We have sent down to you the Book (Qur’an) as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims."
This verse reminds us that Islam serves as our guiding light, helping us to navigate between the permissible and the prohibited. The Qur’an extends naturally into our cultural practices, encouraging us to cultivate an identity that aligns with Islamic principles while fostering balance between cultural identity and religious integrity.
My beloved brothers,
Islam advocates balance and moderation in cultural practices. In a hadith reported by Imam Muslim, The Prophet s.a.w. warned that those who are too excessive in practising Islam will only be ruined by his own acts. He said:
Which means: “Perished are those who exceed limits.” The Prophet s.a.w. repeated the warning thrice to underscore the grave dangers of excessiveness in religion.
A balanced approach means neither allowing cultural practices to overshadow our religious duties, nor adopting rigid religious interpretations that we mistakenly condemn permissible cultural expressions.
Islam welcomes cultural practices that are aligned with our religious values. The traditions of hosting open houses, gifting money packets or duit raya, and making ‘Eid al-Fitr visits, beautifully exemplify virtuous cultural practices that embody Islamic values of compassion, mercy, and excellence.
However, while celebrating Syawal, we should be mindful of practices that don't align with Islamic teachings whether knowingly or unknowingly. These include overspending, getting carried away with Eid celebrations until our prayers are overlooked, free mixing between men and women, and wearing immodest clothing. Such behaviours can lead us away from the true spirit of Islamic celebrations and values. Remember my brothers, the celebration of Hari Raya or Eid al-Fitr is celebrating a great day in Islam, therefore our conduct should reflect the true meaning of this celebration.
Ma’asyiral Mukminin rahimakumullah,
We have a responsibility to ensure our cultural practices are aligned with Islamic teachings. We are entrusted to preserve the authenticity and the integrity of our faith. In today’s interconnected world where falsehood is often masked as cultural and religious practices, it becomes more crucial to be aware of misrepresentations that may lead to understandings and teachings that challenge the integrity of our religion.
Allah s.w.t warns us in Surah Luqman, verse 6:
Which means: “And there are some people who employ amusement of speech to mislead others from the way of Allah without any knowledge and to make a mockery of it, they will suffer a humiliating punishment.”
This verse alerts us to the existence of people who use and manipulate words (which are convincing) in order to lead people astray and cause deviance.
Acknowledging this, Islam urges us to embrace our natural disposition – fitrah, which compels us to think, question, and reflect.
Tapping into this innate inclination compels us to do three important things:
Firstly: Observing caution and ensuring our cultural practices align with religious teachings.
Let us thoughtfully evaluate cultural practices through the lens of Islamic principles. While culture enriches our identity, it should always flow in congruence with Islamic teachings. If culture contradicts or contains elements of doubt that are contrary to the principles of Islam, then it is rejected and cannot be practiced at all.
Secondly: Practicing religious diligence through verification.
When faced with new or unfamiliar religious practices or teachings, we must verify their authenticity by consulting accredited asatizah. This practice ensures that our religious practices remain grounded in the true values and teachings of Islam.
Thirdly: Cultivating critical thinking.
Critical thinking enhances our ability to evaluate cultural practices with knowledge and discernment. This helps us identify elements that contradict religious teachings or, at the very least, instils a sense of caution, preventing us from following them blindly. This critical thinking aligns with the calls of the Qur'an, which encourages and challenges humankind to constantly reflect, think, and be mindful. We can find this in many expressions such as the words of Allah:
And others.
My dear brothers,
By internalising and practicing the three practices mentioned earlier, in sya Allah, our lives and identity as Muslims will be better guided. As we celebrate Syawal, let us uphold culture that aligns with the teachings of Islam, while leaving behind those that are harmful or contradict our faith. As a community, let us come together to uphold our cultural identity and strengthen our religious integrity without compromising either one.
Second Sermon
Ya Allah, bestow upon us on this day a supplication that will not be rejected, and open for us a door in Paradise that will not be shut. Gather us in the company of our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Ya Allah, make the best of Your creation beloved to us, and from the hawdh of Your Prophet quench us, and in Your Paradise grant us refuge, and with Your mercy envelop us and grant us our wishes, and with Your bounty enrich us, and to Your obedience guide us, and from the punishment of the Fire protect us, and from the evil of every envier suffice us.
Ya Allah, the One who hears every plea, and the One who listens to every complaint, help our oppressed brothers and sisters in Gaza and Palestine, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the Merciful.
Ya Allah, heal their wounds, cure their sick, feed their hunger, quench their thirst, warm their coldness, Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin. Ya Allah, they are barefooted, so cover them; they are unclothed, so clothe them; they are oppressed, so grant them aid, O Helper of the oppressed and The Responder to the call of the distressed.
Ya Allah, envelop them in Your mercy, calm them with Your love, strengthen them with Your power, and make them firm with Your might. Ya Allah, protect them from every stubborn tyrant, and keep them far from every oppressor of the servants. Ya Allah, turn all their fear into security, all their distress into relief, all their hardship into ease, and all their sorrow into joy, Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Ya Allah, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.
