Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
by Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is'haq Sahib (Daamat Barakaatuhu)
Among other sins, the Ummah also invites Allah Ta'ala's azaab (punishment) on two great misdeeds that are often overlooked. These are:
- Tashabbu bil kuffaar - imitating the lifestyle and ways of the disbelievers or imitating them in their religious customs.
- Ikhtilaat bil kuffaar wa fussaaq - fraternising and freely mixing with the disbelievers and wrong doers.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur’aan Sharief:
“And do not incline (do not associate with and imitate) those who do wrong
(the kuffaar)
for then the Fire will reach you …”
In spite of some good deeds in our lives, these particular transgressions incur Allah Ta’ala’s anger and punishment. We should thus refrain from emulating the kuffaar in their dress, hairstyles, sports, birthdays and social practices. We should be careful not to involve ourselves or participate in their festivals and events, with their firework displays, Christmas decorations, etc., which have become major entertainment attractions and are a sheer waste of money. These things are not for us. Shaytaan deceives us and makes us behave foolishly. We thus bring about our own destruction with our own hands.
Furthermore, we should not add to the number of people present at places where sins are engaged in and where these festivals and firework shows are hosted. ...On one occasion, Hadhrat ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Radiyallahu ‘anhu) was invited to a walimah – which is a Sunnah to attend. However, when he arrived, he heard music and therefore did not enter. Someone enquired why he had not attended. He replied, ‘I heard Nabi (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) saying, “Whoever increases the number of a gathering is part of them, and whoever is pleased with/approves an action of people will be a partner of those carrying out the deed.”
Similarly, we should not take as friends - even members of our own families - if they prefer acts of kufr over Imaan. Today, so many among us participate in Christmas, Easter, Diwali, Halloween and other celebrations of the kuffaar. May Allah Ta'ala grant us the taufeeq of sincere taubah and protect us all. Aameen
Allah Ta’ala warns us in Surah At-Taubah:
“O you who believe! Do not take your fathers nor your brothers for friends
if they prefer disbelief rather than faith. Those of you who have friendship
with them are the wrongdoers.”
Our learned Fuqaha have explained that participating in the celebrations of the
kuffaar out of respect and honour will render a person out of the fold
of Islam. Participating or imitating them in their festivals and celebrations
indicates that one is pleased with their false beliefs and rituals; that one is
happy with their kufr and shirk (Allah Ta'ala forbid).
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever imitates a nation is from amongst them.”[1]
Hadhrat Umar (Radiyallahu 'anhu) said: “Do not enter upon the disbelievers on the day of their festival, for divine wrath is descending upon them.” and, “Avoid the enemies of Allah Ta’ala on their festivals.”
Allah Ta'ala has blessed us with the priceless bounty of Imaan and Islam and the most beautiful way of life found in the Sunnah. Why do we turn our attention away from what is most valuable to what has absolutely no value?
While shaytaan has deceived the kuffaar with their falsehood, we should not be fooled into following them. In doing so, we will invite only humiliation and disgrace. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: “We were the most humiliated people on earth and Allah Ta'ala gave us honour through Islam. If we ever seek honour through anything else, Allah Ta'ala will humiliate us again.”
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all and grant us the taufeeq to live by the noble and
beautiful Sunnah and shun the ways of the kuffaar. Aameen.
[1] Abu Dawood
