In the Name of Islam

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In the Name of Islam

In the Name of Islam
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh)

 

There is a sickness in society which has now reached epidemic proportions. It is so severe that it requires repetition in its warnings to drive the point home.

Fitnas abound, and the worst and most dangerous fitnah is that which takes the form and garb of Deen.

In the name and guise of Deen, Muslims are being invited to ‘Fund-raising’ programmes, lunches, dinners, and pre-Ramadan and Eid Fairs, and funds are being raised for Deeni projects in this manner.

The context of these programmes is ‘Fun’ and ‘Entertainment’, which entails socializing. The Muslim is encouraged to bring his wife, daughters, mother and sisters along.

 

Since this is in the name of Deen, people consider it as Ibadah (worship), something virtuous. One can gauge how serious the matter is. The person is not going to make Taubah for this. He will not consider the intermingling and the socializing as sinful because the event is promoted as something meritorious and ‘Halal’, and because the invitation is from people and organizations representing Deen whom it is expected, would know better as to what is Haram and Halal.

 

‘What a kind of revolution! … That Ummah, which detested Haram and stayed far from that which is doubtful, now has no fear indulging in Haram.’

 

Even if an Aalim is involved in such activities, endorsing such programmes, or is seen at such venues, this does not make a Haram Halal. This is the weakness of that Aalim.

 

There are so many who are ‘Deendar’, and they know better than to attend such programmes; their hearts will give them the fatwa: ‘Don’t go’ – then why still go? 

Thereafter complaints are presented of the immodest dressing of the women, the intermingling of sexes, the alarming condition of the youth, etc. -this is the trap of Shaytan and Nafs.

The person is gazing at such women (or vice versa), engaging the nafs in Haram pleasure and destroying the heart with evil desires.

 

Those who have Ta-‘alluk with Deen and the Mashaikh must prove their piety and sincerity by restraining themselves from such evils. The instruction and order of Shariah are:
‘It is not permissible to be present in a gathering where Allah Ta’ala is being disobeyed.’

 

Mullah Ali Qari (rahmatullahi ‘alayh) has defined Haya (modesty) as :

“The Haqiqat (reality) of Haya is that your Maula must not find you in that place which He has forbidden or indulging in that which He has forbidden.”

 

Such events and functions bring one close to Zina (adultery). Allah Ta’ala says:

“And do not go near Zina. Indeed, it is a shameful and evil path”
[Surah Al – Isra 17:32]

 

Such functions promote Zina of the eyes, whereas it is from the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala that we lower our gazes from looking at Ghair-Maharim. Allah Ta’ala addresses both the believing men and believing women:

 

“Tell the Believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is Haram) and to be modest (i.e. To protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery and fornication, etc.) That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is aware of what they do.”

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is forbidden) and to be modest (i.e., To protect themselves from prohibited deeds like adultery, fornication, etc.) And not show off their beauty except that which is apparent, and let them wear their head-coverings over their bosoms )”
[Surah An – Nur 24:30/31]

 

Young men have written to me and have mentioned quite explicitly that their intentions in frequenting such functions, fairs and programmes is for no other purpose but to admire the women. Some have even mentioned deriving Haram pleasure by deliberately touching those women in the crowd (na ‘uzu billahi min zalik) – and if these are not our wives, then they are our daughters, mothers, sisters or nieces who are exposed to lustful glances and touching.

 

So when it is evident that these programmes and fairs are against the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, we can stop ourselves and our families, even if we cannot stop others.

Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most beloved places to Allah are the Masajid, and the most disliked places to Allah are the markets”.[1]


[1] Sahih Muslim