Nabi (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) said: 'Verily Halaal is
clear, and verily Haraam is clear. And between them there are certain doubtful
matters many people are unaware of, therefore, who stays away from doubtful
matters, he has protected his Dien and honour. And who gets involved in doubtful
matters, he would fall into Haraam.' - Bukhari/Muslim
This Hadith
clearly places matters relating to us, into three specific classes:
Halaal : The lawful
Haraam : The unlawful or prohibited
Mushtabihaat : The doubtful
That which is Halaal offers safety; that
which is Haraam signals danger; and the doubtful indicates to caution and abstinence.
All of us, who
have the experience of driving, understand that the green traffic light gives
us permission to drive – the green light indicates that it is safe to continue
driving; the amber or yellow traffic light signals that we be cautious and that
we slow down; and the red traffic light, denies us permission to continue
driving – it warns us of danger if we do.
We understand that
these are the rules and regulations of the road. If we do not stop at the red
light, we will be fined, or may meet up with an accident and cause damage to
our vehicle. We may even injure and harm ourselves – and we could also harm
pedestrians who may be crossing the road. Many a time, there is loss of life. As
such, we abide by the rules.
Allah Ta’ala has given us the green lights
of Halaal enjoyments, the amber or yellow lights of caution, and the red lights of
prohibitions.
The red lights of prohibitions
are bright and clear. There is no doubt in them. They have been
established in the Qur`aan Sharief, wherein there can be no difference of
opinion and wherein there is no uncertainty. Zina (adultery), Ribaa (Usury / Interest), gambling,
intoxicants, and so forth are clearly established as Muharramaat (prohibitions)
in the Qur`aan Sharief.
Whilst Allah Ta’ala
has given us these “red lights” of prohibitions and restrictions, He has also
given us all the capacity and ability to put a “brake” on our nafs and to stop
ourselves from sins. No person can say that he cannot abstain from sins or that
it is impossible to give up sins. He can
restrain himself and he can give up all sins, if he sincerely wants to please
Allah Ta’ala. We all have courage. We only need to employ it in the
obedience of Allah Ta’ala.
If we give
unrestrained freedom to the nafs, and speed through these red lights in Dien –
dangerously indulging in Haraam, then we will not only damage the physical
body, we will also cause great harm to the soul. It is a fact that many have caused great harm to themselves spiritually, in violating the laws of Allah Ta’ala and indulgence
in major sins, or have even destroyed their Imaan and destroyed their Aakhirah. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us all).
The “yellow
lights” which Allah Ta’ala tests us with is that which is doubtful – and we are
advised that it is best to be cautious and abstinent. This is beautifully
contained in the Hadith: "Leave
that which causes you doubt, for that which does not cause you doubt."[1] …This
would be piety, and this is what offers protection to our Dien.
Alhamdulillah, Allah
Ta’ala has given us the green lights of Halaal: There are so many types of
foods and drinks to enjoy, different forms of recreation as is found in the
Sunnah – which offer Halaal pleasure; celebrations such as Eid, Nikah, Walima;
the comforts and happiness of marriage and children, etc. – that is, within the
parameters of Dien and Shariah. …So Allah Ta’ala has granted plentiful.
Additionally, we
have been promised much, much more in the Hereafter, in Jannah - if we abide by
the rules and regulations in this worldly life. Allah Ta’ala has said: ‘I have prepared for My pious servants which
the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, and no human heart has ever
perceived (such bounties).’[2]
Despite the
freedom which the green light offers, caution
still has to be exercised.
…When I started
driving, I would drive through the green light, speedily – because it was my
right of way. My Marhum father (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) cautioned me about this, saying
that I should be careful and take precaution, even at the intersections, and
even when it is my right of way, and the traffic light is green. And he
explained that the driver from the other side may be negligent, and may not
heed the red light and he could hit into the car I was driving. Naturally, I
would then suffer the consequences as well.
Today, we find that
certain Scholars and organisations give a “green light” where there should be
caution or abstinence adopted. We find that photography is given the green
light, with even some Ulama actively participating on television, YouTube, etc. – all
of which has opened the door to much Fitnah.
We find that certain
organisations give a “green light” to different types of foods, which they certify
as Halaal, but which are sometimes not Halaal. This results in great spiritual harm and
damage, because the Muslim believes he is traveling through a green light – so
to speak, whereas the other party is driving through the red light, certifying some products as Halaal, without proper investigation or due to negligence.
…In South Africa,
the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, the Muslim communities have
been left shaken at times, at the sheer carelessness in Halaal certification -
of various items which have traces of pork, beef burgers which have horse meat,
chickens which have not been slaughtered in accordance to Islamic law, and
impure and Haraam ingredients introduced into other foods, which are certified
Halaal. Even the non-Muslims are reeling in shock at the kind of ingredients
that are brought into the meat they are consuming. It is now common knowledge
to all, that many, many meat products and other foods on the market have
incorrect labels - which leaves the Muslim especially, victim to both,
ill-health and spiritual degeneration.
So, nowadays, a
Muslim must be extremely careful and cautious even at the green light.
We also have the
experience where the traffic light is on the blink. It continues blinking green
or red or yellow – and drivers have to then take extra precaution and manoeuvre themselves safely through such
intersections – because the traffic lights or robots are not working, and there are vehicles driving across.
Similarly, we have
Ulama-e-Soo, or other groups, parties, sects whose teachings or belief systems
are on the “blink” – so to speak. They are corrupt and present a different
version of Islam, which is contaminated with Bid’aat and Haraam – which is not
Islam, in its true and pristine form.
The Muslim has to thus be all the more
cautious and manoeuvre himself safely through these evils and Fitan as well. Shiaism, Qadianism and other distorted
belief systems have been established throughout the world, working towards
ensnaring the unwary and unsuspecting Muslims.
Of course, we have
the traffic department repairing those traffic lights on the blink or those not
working, and they then work properly. So, if those who misrepresent and falsify
Islamic teachings or have a corrupt agenda, whereby they use Islam to further
their ends, sincerely repent, correct their Aqeedah, etc., then that is to
their own benefit and advantage – in both worlds. ...Sincere Taubah gives the green light signal for salvation in the
Aakhirah, and the green light for entrance into Jannah, Insha-Allah.
Whilst traffic
lights establish control and smooth flow of traffic, Islam establishes harmony in a person’s life – with the fulfilment
of the rights of Allah Ta’ala as well as the rights of creation. When we follow
through with practising on Dien, we
will enjoy peace, Sukoon and happiness.
May Allah Ta’ala protect
us all, give us a good understanding, true appreciation, and the courage to
restrain from Haraam.
[1] An-Nasaa’ee
[2] Sahih Muslim
