BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

IMAMS reminded congregants and the rest of the population to cooperate with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) to safeguard the peace and sovereignty of the Sultanate from enemy threats.

“The armed forces are a necessary requisite in a country, for without it, the country will be in a state of constant threat. (It will) be exposed to external and even internal threats,” said Imams during yesterday’s Friday sermon.

“The country’s strength is measured not only in terms of its arsenal of sophisticated military weaponry but also the quality of its armed forces, both physically and mentally, and particularly its skill in the use of modern weaponry,” the sermon stress ed.

With this in mind, the Imams said the RBAF is a noble and highly regarded profession from the religious and national standpoint.

They emphasised that youth who wish to serve in the military should not consider it as a final option because such a way of thinking could affect the quality of their work.

The Imams went on to point out that armed forces should also be spiritually strong, citing historic records where Muslim armies had triumphed over their enemies in multiple battles despite their relatively small numbers and lack of sophisticated weapons.

The imams quoted verse 249 in Surah Al-Baqarah that read: “But those who were certain that they would meet Allah (SWT) said, ‘How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah (SWT). And Allah (SWT) is with the patient.’”

RBAF will celebrate its 54th anniversary tomorrow.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Towards a Visionary RBAF Generation”. It is in line with the RBAF’s ambition towards upgrading the strength of character of their personnel with emphasis on physical, mental and spiritual strength, the sermon said.

The Imams also reminded congregants to build up their inner strength and spirituality by maintaining a good relationship with Allah (SWT) through fulfilling obligations such as performing the five daily prayers, fasting, paying zakat and performing Haj.

“Please remember we will be questioned in the presence of Allah SWT as to what we have done in discharging the responsibilities entrusted upon us,” said Imams.

The Brunei Times