The Haraam Eid Shopping Festival And Other Similar Events
Sadly, a Haraam Eid Shopping Festival took place in Johannesburg during the weekend. The following ‘Da’wat’ (invite) was proudly displayed on their website:
The 7th annual EID SHOPPING FESTIVAL (ESF), is set to take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town this year. The leading high profile lifestyle cultural festival is increasingly growing bigger and better than before and is expecting over 80 000 visitors over the 4 day period in both cities. Make sure to join in this one of a kind shopping extravaganza
By now, Muslims who have some Imaani conscious will understand that this event was Haraam. The reason for it being Haraam is that since it is garbed in an Islamic ‘name’, Muslims were called, invited, welcomed, and encouraged to attend this festival in which many sins were committed but not regarded as sins due to this whole event been garbed in an Islamic name. At the same time, many Muslim women were also present at this Haraam festival.
Insha Allah, we will now explain why this and all other similar type of festivals, functions, Souks, ‘Halaal’ food expos and pre-Ramadhaan/Eid fetes/fairs which have become a common event in many towns across Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumulanga and other provinces that we are aware of, are un-Islamic and Haraam.
A Question…
The question might arise as to why we term the above festivals un-Islamic and Haraam, bearing in mind that it is ‘supporting’ the Muslims and it is in an Islamic environment (meaning, there are only Muslims who attend), whilst at the same time the same stance is not used for the malls, shopping complexes etc. which are Kuffaar environments.
Answer…
With regards to these Souks, pre-Ramadhaan/Eid shopping festivals etc., one should know that most of them are named with some Islamic term or name and they are organised by Muslims. Since these festivals are organised by Muslims and given Islamic names, it leaves many Muslims under the impression that everything at these festivals will be ‘Halaal’.
Therefore, without much hesitation, Muslims will attend such events. The whole event will be turned into a weekend outing with the whole family. Some such events have food stalls which makes it more convenient for Muslims to attend as they can ‘happily’ shop, eat and read Salaah (in a small Salaah room which is available at some of these venues), all in an Islamic environment! The whole day will be spent at such an event, from the time the gates open till the night.
These type of festivals, Souks etc. invite Muslim women out of their homes to be seen by every Yusuf, Ahmad and Muhammad. Hence, women leave their homes in the name of the Souk, Ramadhaan/Eid Festival etc. which is Haraam. How can it (such an event) ever be Halaal (permissible) when they (the women) are prohibited to attend the Masjid for the 5 times Fardh Salaah, an ‘Ibaadat which is Fardh and whose virtues have been explained in the Hadith.
Women find these events which are clothed with Islamic terms/names as an excuse to doll themselves up with make-up, jewellery, perfumes, camel humped scarves and to parade in the latest fashionable outfits which glitter and gleam in the night whilst rubbing shoulders with strange men and making a full display of themselves.
Women – be warned…Don’t be like an adulteress!
Whilst severe warnings have been recorded in the Hadith for the above serious crimes committed by women, we will mention just a few.
Nabi Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam said,
“A woman who applies perfume and passes by a gathering is like an adulteress.”
“The gaze (at Ghair Mahrams-strange members of the opposite gender) is a poisonous arrow among the arrows of Iblees.”
“Women may not emerge from their homes except when compelled to (by circumstances.)”
Once, Rasulullah Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam asked Hadhrat Ali Rradhiyallaahu anhu: “What is best for a woman?” All the Sahaabah present remained silent. Hadhrat Ali narrates: “When I returned home, I asked Faatimah Radhiyallahu anha: “What is best for a woman?” She responded: “She should not look at men nor should men look at her…”
Why can’t we see the Haraam?
Whilst at the same time many sins will be committed by Muslims who attend such events, sadly, Muslims will be oblivious to these sins and the Haraam activities since these events are garbed and cloaked with some Islamic Name.
Since the sins committed at such events are hidden behind an Islamic name and a fancy surname (like ‘Eid Shopping Fetival’), many Muslims assume that all is fine and well and are thus deprived of making Taubah from the sins committed. As a result of this, they will live and die whilst being guilty of sins, and in the most cases, many pass away whilst not being fortunate of making Taubah.
Worse is that these sins which were committed in the name of Islam were broadcasted on the so-called ‘Islamic’ radio stations.
These sins were celebrated and propagated through posters and advertisements, were proudly displayed on billboards, streetlight poles and on social media which went viral, and then we fret about how bad things are in the country. Is it not time for some serious introspection? The irony is that some of the claims by some nuts are that these Haraam events are a form of ‘Da’wat’! Unto Allah is our complaint!
The difference between the “souks” and normal shopping…
On the other hand, when a need arises, Muslims go to shops, malls or shopping complexes whilst being aware that there is music, liquor shops, music shops, intermingling and Kuffaar at such places. Hence, when they (Muslims who have some Imaani conscience and scruples) enter any such place in which they go to purchase their needs and necessities, they come out quickly so that no extra time is spent at such an evil place.
Yes, many evils take place at shops and markets, but from the time a Muslim enters such shops, they are aware of the vices and know that it is forbidden. The evil, sin and Haraam are understood to be Haraam and not camouflaged in some Islamic name which will make them assume everything there is ‘Halaal’. This is the spiritual condition of those Allah fearing Muslims, Aalims or even Muftis who are seen in such places.
Also, the chances are very high of Muslims to make Taubah either immediately after coming out from such shops, or on the same day, or later on in their lives. This spark of Taubah will be found since the environment they were in was not perfumed in any Islamic name or term.
Shopping as per necessity
Remember, it is best that a Muslim who needs to go to any such shop chooses the one in which lesser evils are found. Therefore, if his work can be done in a smaller shop, he should go there instead of going to a mall. However, at times, when he requires more items which are sold in different shops, then only would it necessitate him going to a shopping complex in which there are many shops.
Turning shopping into an Ibaadat – How to become a millionaire…
Many Muslims before entering such places (shops, malls etc.) make a Niyat (intention) to guard their gazes from looking at Haraam. And this good Niyat comes from the fact that they are fully aware that the place they are about to enter is polluted with Na-Paak Kaafiraat (unclean Kaafir women).
Hence, the demand of a man’s Imaan of hating Kufr, makes him make this pure, good and a noble Niyat of abstaining from Haraam. Many Muslims before entering such places recite the Masnoon Du’a:
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Regarding this Du’a, Nabi Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam said, “Allah Ta’ala will erase a million sins and grant him a million rewards and build for him a house in Jannah.”
In this beautiful way, this occasion of theirs is turned into following a Sunnah, makes them millionaires in the currency of rewards which will avail them in the Aakhirat and builds them a house in Jannah! Allahu-Akbar!
The harm of silence
Remaining silent when Haraam is committed is a form of encouraging that Haraam. It is upon us to speak out the bitter truth and to make Amr bil Ma’roof and Nahi anil Munkar (encourage good and forbid evil). This is the quality with which this Ummat has been sent. And on the basis of this quality is this Ummat praised in the Qur’aan Majeed,
“You are the best nation selected for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (i.e. make Amr bil Ma’roof and Nahi anil Munkar).”
Why are Muslims selected as the best of nations?
Read the above Aayat again and again. This Ummah has not been selected as the best of nations on the bases of military power or technological proficiency or wealth and treasures. This Ummah is the BEST, THE VERY BEST OF NATIONS AND HAS BEEN SELECTED by Allah Most High because of the spectacular trait of being brave enough to enjoin what is right and to forbid that which is wrong. The offence, bitterness, animosity and acrimony of people annoyed at those encouraging righteousness and forbidding wrong matters not to the sincere servants and slaves of Islam.
We ask Allah Ta’ala to guide the Ummah in this era in which we notice an increase of sins which are camouflaged in Islamic names and to grant the Ummah the Hidaayat to stay away from such events and to make Taubah, Aameen.
