Jemaah, Last week’s sermon reminded us of how critical it is for every mukmin (believer) to consistently strive to contribute to the community and the country. When we talk about giving and contributing, we are not simply referring to monetary contributions. In fact, contributions also include giving our time and energy, sharing our ideas, and doing good deeds that can lead to better lives for humanity. Let us ponder upon a hadith that tells us of the contribution of a companion. Although it was a small contribution, it was done with such sincerity that it was important in the sight of Allah s.w.t. Rasulullah s.a.w. said: Meaning: “While a man was walking, he saw a thorny branch on the road, so he removed it. And Allah rewarded his action and admitted him to Jannah.” (Hadith reported by Imam Bukhari and Muslim) Indeed, Allah acknowledges the efforts of His servants no matter how small it may seem. The hadith goes to show how Allah has bestowed His servant with the extraordinary gift of Paradise, as a reward for this simple act of thoughtfulness. Jemaah, A Muslim will always strive to contribute towards the well-being of others, as it is a sign of gratefulness to Allah for the blessings that He has given us. When a Muslim receives blessings from Allah, he is fully aware that it is a gift from Allah, and not something that he achieves solely due to his own efforts. With this awareness, he channels the blessings that Allah has given him towards causes that will help him to gain Allah’s pleasure, and not otherwise. In fact, he will leverage on those blessings to contribute, and be of service to others, with the hope of gaining Allah’s love, pleasure and mercy. Therefore, the gift of health should be used to perform acts of worship and to do good deeds. The gift of wealth and talent can be channelled to help those in need. In fact, whenever there are opportunities to contribute towards goodness, a Muslim will come forward without hesitation. Jemaah, we have seen how every Muslim in Utwente has contributed to the charity activities organised by the UT Muslims Board. In fact, there are many other opportunities for us to initiate acts of goodness as a contribution to the welfare of the larger UT Muslims society. This can be done by donating clothes to refugee camps and food for the halaqah program, and most importantly to the board contribution. Such platforms offer great opportunities for the UTwente Muslim Community to come forward and contribute to the larger Utwente society. It is also a means to increase our efforts in cooperating to do more acts of kindness together. Jemaah, Reflect upon what Allah says in surah Al-A’raf verse 96: Meaning: “And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth; but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were earning.”
Based on the aforementioned verse, one can gain barakah from Allah through one’s taqwa. Surely, all of us yearn for Allah’s barakah. We want barakah in our sustenance, our lifetime, our families, and also our community and country. In order to gain Allah’s barakah, it all boils down to one’s taqwa. How consistent are we in guarding our taqwa, and maintaining our relationship with Allah? With the spirituality that we have developed in our hearts, how do we then give back and contribute to those around us? This is done by contributing and developing, and not isolating ourselves or pushing others aside. In a hadith narrated by Ibn Umar, Rasulullah s.a.w. likened a Muslim to a date tree. The Prophet s.a.w said (meaning): “‘There is a tree amongst trees, the leaves of which do not wither, and that is like a Muslim. Tell me, which [tree] can that be?” The people began to think of the trees of the forest. The Prophet said: “It is the date-palm tree.” (Hadith reported by Imam Al-Bukhari). This hadith not only describes how the soul of a believer has to be strong and unwavering like the date tree, as it does not fall easily. In addition, if we were to truly study the comparison, we will realise that for a tree to be strong and resilient, as well as to bear fruits, it has to have strong roots that are deeply rooted to the earth. And indeed, that is how a Muslim should be. In order for him to contribute and to spread kindness, he has to be rooted and integrated with the society he lives in. Jemaah, Let us pray to Allah s.w.t. to continuously grant us His Taufiq and inayah to enable us to always contribute and give to the community. And hopefully the contributions that we have given and will continue to give, can be the reasons for us to gain Allah’s barakah in this life and the hereafter, Amin.
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