Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Friday Khutbah
30 May 2025 / 2 Zulhijjah 1446H
Understanding Istita’ah, Enlivening Zulhijjah
Dear blessed congregation,
Be conscious of Allah’s presence, the One who knows every intention and desire within our hearts. Demonstrate taqwa by obeying all His commands and abstaining from all His prohibitions. O Allah the Glorious One, make us among those who are pleasing to You. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
My dear brothers,
We are now in the month of Zulhijjah, a month full of blessings, and one of the four months honoured by Allah, known as the sacred months. In the holy land, millions of people have begun to gather, answering Allah’s call to perform the hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. Allah says in Surah Ali ‘Imran, verse 97:
Which means: “In it (the House) are clear signs and the standing place of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it should be safe. Hajj to this House is an obligation by Allah upon whoever is capable among the people. And whoever disbelieves (refuses carrying out hajj), then surely Allah is not in need of any of His creation.”
Dear brothers beloved by Allah,
It is profound how, in this verse, Allah mentions istita‘ah - the capability to perform acts of worship, particularly in hajj. Here lies one of the beauties of the Islamic jurisprudence: it never burdens, but rather facilitates and eases a person’s obedience.
Reflect on other examples of worship, such as salah - prayer. We are commanded to perform it only according to our ability. Those who are unable to stand can perform the prayer while seated.
In the worship of fasting during Ramadan, those who are unwell are given a concession to not fast and to make it up on other days. In fact, for those who are unable to make up their fasts due to health reasons or old age, they are given the leniency to pay fidyah - compensation, thus fulfilling the obligation of fasting upon themselves
The very same concept applies to the act of hajj. I am confident that each of us aspire to perform hajj at least once in our lifetime.
At the same time, as explained in the Qur’anic verse mentioned earlier, hajj becomes an obligation only upon those who are truly capable.
Dear blessed believers,
Let us delve deeper into today’s discussion. What is the true meaning of istita‘ah - capability? When it comes to hajj, does it refer solely to financial capability?
In the book Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuhu by the late Syeikh Wahbah az-Zuhaili, capability in hajj refers to the financial and possession of wealth, and it also encompasses health capability and general safety.
That which is meant by financial capability and wealth includes having sufficient expenses for the entire hajj, from the preparation before departure, till the end when one returns home. It also includes provision for one’s family in one’s absence as well, if one is a father or a husband.
Health capability here means that those with chronic illnesses and elderly individuals at high health risk are not obligated to perform hajj themselves even if they are financially capable.
As for the third element of capability; the factor of safety, this too must be seriously considered. The hajj tragedy last year, which saw over a thousand deaths due to factors which compromised safety, like extreme heat, reminds us how crucial this condition is in safeguarding human welfare.
Dear blessed congregation,
For those of us who have not yet had the opportunity to perform hajj, do not be saddened. Allah is Most Just and All-Knowing of every intention. We hope that every good intention we harbour will be rewarded. This aligns with the saying of the Prophet s.a.w. which means: “Whoever intends to do a good deed but does not carry it out, Allah still records it as one full reward.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim).
For those who already have financial means but are tested in terms of health, we still have the chance to fulfil the obligation of this fifth pillar of Islam through hajjbadal (delegated hajj).
Dear Muslims,
Irrespective of our location, these first 10 days of Zulhijjah remain a golden opportunity to reap immense rewards. Among the acts of worship we can engage in is to increase our dhikr - remembrance of Allah. The Prophet s.a.w. said which means:
‘There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor days in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days (of Zulhijjah). So increase in them your recitation of tahlil, takbir, and tahmid.’ (Narrated by Ahmad).
We can also set our intention to fast on the Day of Arafah, which falls on the ninth of Zulhijjah, and increase our supplications on that day.
The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. was once asked about the virtue of fasting on the Day of Arafah, and he s.a.w. explained:
Which means: “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”(Narrated by Muslim)
Dear blessed congregation,
Amidst the busyness of our daily lives, let us set aside time to improve our relationship with Allah. He is the One who created us, and He alone is worthy to be our ultimate goal in all matters.
Take this opportunity at the start of the month of Zulhijjah to reflect on our condition, to pray and seek forgiveness, and to increase our worship according to our respective individual capacities. May Allah s.w.t. accept our small efforts and ease our path to becoming among His righteous servants. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
SECOND KHUTBAH
Dear blessed congregation,
Let us raise our hands in supplication to Allah. With hearts full of sincerity. With deep hope. That Allah will accept this prayer. The plea of a servant who is full of shortcomings, to the Almighty, the All-Hearing. Our prayer is especially for our brothers and sisters who continue to suffer and endure hardship in Gaza. At a time when help from mankind has been cut off, let us, as ‘ibadullah (servants of Allah), turn to the Lord of all worlds – the One who is more powerful than every ruler, mightier than every army – to continue bestowing His aid upon them.
Ya Allah, the All-Hearing Lord who hears every whisper of His servants’ hearts, grant us Your forgiveness, for indeed, we are Your servants who often forget and make mistakes. Forgive our past and future sins, those committed intentionally and unintentionally, the small and few and the vast akin to the oceans. And do not let these sins become a barrier that prevents our prayers from being accepted.
O Lord who answers the supplications of His servants, on this blessed day and moment, we bow with sincerity and humility, pleading for a portion of Your mercy, O Most Merciful. Help our oppressed brothers and sisters wherever they may be, especially in Gaza and Palestine.
Ya Allah, Ya Mannan, lighten their burdens, protect them from violence and harm, heal those who are sick and wounded, and provide sustenance for those who are hungry and thirsty.
Ya Latif, Ya Hannan, envelop them in Your mercy, place them within Your divine love, and strengthen their spirits with faith in Your assistance.
Ya Allah, Ya Dzal ‘Izzi was-Sultan, replace their fear with peace, their hardship with ease, their anxiety with calmness, and their sorrow with joy.
