Respect plays crucial role in Islam, faithful will be told

Respect is the basis for building a civilised society, today’s sermon says as it reminds worshippers to respect women, the elderly and traffic laws.

“As a culture, respect in Islam has many tents. It begins with respecting Allah, the Almighty, and glorifying His commandments as well as showing reverence to His Messenger, following his guidance and taking example of his ethics.”

Islam places emphasis on respecting laws and regulations.

“This is because laws have been laid down to protect the public’s interests, preserve properties and safeguard souls and achievements,” the sermon says.

“One such law that we should abide by is the traffic law. By obeying road rules, we ensure safe driving away from dangerous risk.”

Prophet Mohammed also stressed the need to respect the elderly. He once said: “He is not from my Umma (ie: not a true Muslim) who does not respect the elder amongst us, who shows no mercy to our younger ones or does not recognise the right of our scholars.”

Respect for women is also emphasised in Islam.

“Our religion urged us to take care of women and treat them kindly no matter what kinship relationship associate us with them,” the sermon says.

Therefore, a woman should be respected in all her statuses and tasks. As a mother, she should be obeyed and served. As a daughter, she should be accommodated and supported.

And most importantly, people of all races, nationalities and religions should be respected.

“As evidence of this, it was narrated that once a funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet and he stood up. When he was told that it was the coffin of a Jew, he said: ‘Is it not a living being (soul)?’”