The Influence of Television
The Influence of Television by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah ‘alayh) One of the many Sunnahs of the Ambiya (‘alayhimus salam) is that of Haya – shame and modesty: a quality which is sorely missing in the lives of the majority of Muslims today and which should otherwise be an outstanding characteristic and feature of all Muslims, whether married or unmarried. Television is such an evil that if our society only understood its reality, they would find no excuse to watch. Its spiritual harm is that it takes away the Haya and shame of our men, women and children. Most television programmes contain nothing but immodesty and indecency, which invites nothing but immodesty and indecency into our homes, lives and the lives of our children. However, this truth and reality seem to pass over the understanding of even those Muslims who have some link with Deen. Many are regular with Salah; they are seen in the Musjid and wear the garb of the pious, yet they will be the ones to present flimsy and feeble excuses to view television programmes. Let us consider this situation of sin from the following view – which, Alhamdulillah, has been a means of many getting rid of the television. If a person has to knock on your door and tell you: ‘I would like to use your lounge to commit adultery.’ Or a group of friends have to request you: ‘We would like to use your home to gamble and enjoy our liquor.’ Or a group of youngsters have to tell you: ‘We have chosen your home as a venue for our partying, dancing, drug-taking and fornicating.’ Or a Christian family has to request you: ‘We would like to use your home as a venue for our church ceremony: The marriage of our daughter as well as the baptism of our grandchild. We have already obtained the consent of one of our priests.’ Or some idol-worshippers have to suggest: ‘We would like to carry out some of our religious rites in your home. We would like to bring our idols also. You are more than welcome to observe or participate in our rites.’ On hearing such requests, many Muslims will get very angry; will express disgust – if not swear and curse such suggestions. However, these very same Muslims who will even resort to swearing and cursing such proposals invite into their homes all of the above by the switch of the television, by hiring English and Hindi films and DVDs, and watching porn and other movies on the Internet. There is so much adultery, partying, and other filth that we seem to welcome into our homes – least realizing the consequences. To give you one example and this is but the tip of the iceberg – and it is said with the intention of removing the blindfold that most parents wear: A father of four children mentioned to me that he had gotten rid of his television, and he thereafter explained why. He said that he heard strange noises from his children’s room late one night. On opening the door of their room, he found their television switched on. [This is our concept of modesty: parents must have their own television to view all kinds of filthy programmes in their privacy, and children must have their own television to view all kinds of indecency in their privacy (Na-‘uzu Billah)]. The father mentioned that there were dirty and obscene scenes of naked people on the television screen. He mentioned that it was filthy and that it shocked him, but what had him even more shaken was that his children were all undressed, engaging in the same kind of indecent acts. They were imitating the pornography they were viewing. He said himself that until then, he had not considered the harm of television. It took this kind of incident to wake him up. This is just one example of so many. Do we wish to face something similar? Do we even care to know what our sons and daughters are doing in the secrecy of their rooms? The fact that many demand that no one ‘invade’ their space and privacy to the extent of having ‘No Entry’ signs on their doors should have parents a little more than worried, especially if they are viewing television and are surfing the net or have free access with cell phones. Many have written that after watching certain films or programmes, the desire came strongly into their hearts to take drugs, drink liquor, murder their parents, indulge in homosexuality, engage in adulterous relationships, commit suicide, rape, and so much else – and many of them do so. Moreover, with sins like television and lustful glancing, Allah Ta’ala removes the love between husband and wife, and even one’s children become disobedient. Many husbands entertain thoughts of and fantasize about other women while with their wives. And they will when they watch different actresses and television presenters. Many wives are guilty of the same infidelity, having seen or socialized with Ghair-Maharim. Many women are so infatuated and obsessed with some soccer player or cricket player that they become dissatisfied with their husbands and spend their time fantasizing. Had the person not viewed all those Ghair-Maharim on the television and computer screen and lowered his gaze in real-life situations, he would not have desired that which he cannot have, and there would not have been dissatisfaction with his (or her) spouse. Moreover, we complain: There is no Barakah in our homes. There is no Barakah in our wealth. There is no Barakah in our time. Our children are rebellious. The husband is having an extra-marital relationship. The daughter has accepted Christianity. The son is on drugs, and the complaints do not end. Then who is to blame except the one who brought all of this Haram into the home by purchasing the television and exposing the family
The Prohibition of Photography
The Prohibition of Photography by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) One of the greatest calamities of our times is the abuse of the camera. Nowadays, with the availability of cell phones, digital cameras, camcorders, etc., everyone seems to own a tool which has created an upheaval in mischief. How many have had their names dragged through the mud or have been blackmailed, slandered or left humiliated and disgraced due to photographs taken and then circulated? Photography is an evil which has been entirely misjudged and underestimated. Recently, a brother related a dream to me, requesting an interpretation. I interpreted his dream: ‘It seems as if movies are being viewed in the Masjid.’ Within a matter of days, the interpretation was made apparent. We had a visiting ‘Aalim give a talk in our Masjid. I was sitting on a chair near the front when I observed three young boys very absorbed with their cell phones. I requested a friend to go to the back of the Masjid and see what they were up to. He observed that they were viewing some film with dirty, indecent pictures —إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون. We give our children technology at the expense of haya (modesty), Deen and Iman. One is to have no shame and commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala, but increasing in shamelessness is when one is brazen enough to commit sins in the presence of Allah Ta’ala whilst in the Masjid, the House of Allah Ta’ala. The same shamelessness is found en-masse in the Masjid of all Masajid, Masjidul Haram in Makkah Sharif. The objective of most visiting these days is to take photos and videos instead of engaging in Ibadah. There are complaints – and it is even our experience – of flashes and camera clicks, which can be seen or heard whilst Salah is in progress or during Tawaf. There is a very dire need to explain that this is a grave and serious crime in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. What needs to be understood is that photography of anything animate is a clear prohibition. It is Haram. It has been narrated from Aaisha (radiyallahu ‘anha) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbade pictures in the house, and he forbade making them.[1] Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, of the most grievously tormented people on the Day of Resurrection are picture-makers.”[2] There are, in fact, many other Ahadith which clearly prove this prohibition. Why did Allah Ta’ala prohibit photography? One reason is quite clear; that it was the origin of Shirk (polytheism): Going down the passage of history, we find that mankind was introduced to idol worship due to Shaytan’s efforts to lead humanity astray. Due to his whispering encouragement, people began to draw and sketch their pious predecessors, thinking that their faces and images would be a source of inspiration and an incentive to also follow in their footsteps of piety. However, it was the means by which many began to worship those pictures and thereafter carved such idols; and idol worship came into vogue. Whilst this would have been more than sufficient for the Believer, it is no longer considered a worthy reason by Muslims who want to engage in the sin. Many say that there is no way that they would worship a photograph or even a sketch, let alone an idol. My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (damat barakatuhu), explains that one reason behind the prohibition is that Allah Ta’ala may protect the respect and dignity of His servants. Many a time, a person who was engaged in various evils is granted Hidayah (guidance). Sometimes, this Hidayah is such that he attains a high stage of Wilayah. The person becomes a great Wali (friend) of Allah Ta’ala and even a Shaykh, with thousands of people attending his gatherings. Now at such a time, if someone were to dig up pictures of his past, what embarrassment would he have to endure? From Allah Ta’ala’s side, there is forgiveness of sins on sincere taubah, to the extent that all evidence is ‘deleted’ and insha Allah, the person will not have to render an account for those sins. However, if photographs were taken, this is evidence that the person has produced against himself, which cannot always be destroyed – especially if it is in the hands of others who wish to bring disgrace to the person. My Shaykh mentioned the above reason during an election in Pakistan, where a woman was a candidate. She was blackmailed with photographs of herself in a compromising situation so that she withdraws. Further, we find that the porn industry and filthy films are based on pictures. Islam nips the problem in the bud by prohibiting photography. If everyone practised this teaching, we would not have pornography, woman abuse and exploitation, child pornography, and the evil consequences of rape, insanity, suicide, incest, etc. – much of which has shattered and devastated the marriages and homes of many Muslims. Now thinking over all these harms, we should appreciate the prohibition all the more and show that appreciation by abstaining. There is nothing but great wisdom and benefit in the prohibitions of Allah Ta’ala for His servants. [1] Sahih Al-Bukhari [2] Sahih Al-Bukhari
Pornography – A Bait of Shaytan
We all know that fish live in water. They generally cannot survive for long out of water. However, when fish move towards the ocean’s surface, they become an easy catch for fishermen –as we find with the sardine run. People grab, net and catch sardines from the surface of the water. When a fisherman catches a fine fish, he reels it in. He does not throw it back into the sea. Once it is hooked or caught, it is pulled out. Why? Because fish out of water, when scaled and washed, when ‘masalad’[1] and fried, tastes lovely. In my Dua, I usually say: O Allah, make us the fish that swim deep down in the ocean of Your Ma’rifat. Like the fish, the Believer is swimming deep in the safety of Allah Ta’ala’s ocean of love. If he moves towards temptation, he makes an easy and fine catch for Shaytaan. Do we want to become a meal for Shaytaan? —Because this is exactly what happens to the heart of the Believer who dashes for the bait of sins: His Imaan is ‘scaled’, his good deeds are ‘washed away’, his heart and soul are ‘marinated’ in darkness and fried in the fire of restlessness –to the delight of Shaytaan. Allah Ta’ala forbid that this restless soul has to also one day contend with the fire of Hell. Many people write that they are hooked on porn films and magazines. They fall for the bait which Shaytaan tempts them with, get hooked and end up ruining their spiritual, mental and physical health. ♦ Pornography is one of the root causes of insanity. Those who have the habit of viewing pornography generally do so at night. They spend the day working and the night watching filth. They are overcome with restlessness and are deprived of sleep. Sleep deprivation is a one-way ticket to mental instability. In the long term, the brain is badly damaged, and the person loses his sanity. He ends up in an asylum or shoots himself. One young brother contacted me, saying he had a porn addiction. He knew it was Haraam, but said he just could not give up the sin. He would secretly watch pornography late at night after the family went to sleep. And then, one night whilst watching porn there was a tremor. The building began to shake, and everyone got up running down the stairs in their pyjamas, running helter-skelter, fearing the worst, expecting that was their end. He said that at that time, my Dua hit his heart: “O Allah! Do not let the Angel of death find us in any sin, in gambling, drinking, pornography!” He immediately made sincere Taubah. But it took a real-life shake-up to get him to give up the sin. He was fortunate that he was granted the opportunity of repenting, otherwise what would have been the condition, returning to Allah Ta’ala whilst viewing pornography? I generally give the following reply to those who write saying they are addicted to porn: Allah Ta’ala forbid, if some criminal has to put a gun to your head, will you say: “It is difficult for me to stop watching this porn, I am addicted. Please allow me to watch all these filthy pictures first before you blow my head”, or will you start reading Duas for Allah Ta’ala to protect you? Similarly, death is following us all. What if the Angel of Death visits at that time to extract your soul? Would you want your life to end while watching porn –because the Angel of Death will not give you time to switch off the computer and make Taubah? Imagine if you die when viewing pornography. What an embarrassment and disgrace it will be! Thereafter, people will ask –as is common: “How did he die? When? Where? What was he doing?” Would you like people to say: “He died in front of the computer, and he was watching a dirty film.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was asked: ‘What is Imaan?’ Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied: ‘When your good deeds give you happiness and when your evil deeds cause you grief.’ [2] If reading porn magazines, watching filthy movies, being involved in some illicit relationship, drinking, gambling and indulging in other sins do not create any remorse and sorrow, and instead, we are expressing happiness over sins, where is our Imaan? One situation is that the person engages in some sin but then genuinely regrets it. However, when there is persistence and enjoyment in sins, where is our Imaan? Deriving pleasure in Haraam indicates pollution in the heart. The heart needs to be washed and cleaned with sincere Taubah and needs to be polished with Zikrullah. At least recognize sin as sin, detest it. This is Imaan. The person has Imaan if he is feeling unhappy and grieved when he has displeased Allah Ta’ala. Understand that whatever Allah Ta’ala enjoins upon us and forbids us from, is in our best interests; for our benefit, advantage, well-being and success. Abdullah Ibn Mubarak (rahmatullahi alaihi), who was a great Wali of Allah Ta’ala summed up the consequences of sins by saying: “I see that sins cause death to the heart and becoming addicted to the sins brings about humiliation and disgrace. On the other hand, abandoning sins gives life to the heart. So, it is best for you to disobey the nafs.” May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to give up all sins and purify our hearts and souls, and may Allah Ta’ala grant us death when He is pleased with us. [1] “Masalad”: spiced and marinated [2] Musnad Ahmad