“The One Who Adds To The Numbers Of A People Is Counted As Among Them”

Adding to the Numbers

‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was once invited to a waleemah. As he reached the function, from the outside he heard some impermissible activity taking place. He immediately turned around and went back. When he was asked the reason for
his return, he replied that he heard Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying:

من كثر سواد قوم فهو منهم ، ومن رضي عمل قوم كان شريكا في عملهم
“The one who adds to the numbers of a people is counted as among
them, and the one who is pleased with the wrong of a people will be
regarded as a partner in their actions.” (Ithaaful Khiyaratil Maharah
#3297)

If all types of haraam activities are taking place somewhere and we too are there, though just “passively” and are not “actively” taking part in the evils, we have still added to the numbers.
Perhaps one thousand people attended the function where dancing and intermingling took place, music was played and the way of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was trampled; but our presence added to the glory of that haraam function.
Imagine if the décor, music, dancing and everything else was arranged and set up but no one attended. The hosts will be left completely disappointed. They spent so much, but no one came.
Therefore, it is the people that make up the function, and every person counts.

Mulla ‘Ali Qari (rahimahullah) summarizes this in his statement:
عدم الحضور عند مجلس فيه المحظور

“It is not permissible for a person to be in a gathering where there is
haraam taking place.” (Mirqaatul Mafaateeh, vol. 4, pg. 239)

We thus need to seriously ponder and reflect upon the direction in which we are moving. One aspect is not to “actively” participate. This is not good enough. Rather, we must excuse ourselves from such haraam functions as well.
Allah Ta‘ala forbid, it should not happen that the wrath of Allah Ta‘ala, which is raining upon such haraam functions, rains upon our hearts as well because of us being present. Can anyone claim that they felt a boost in their imaani spirit upon returning
home from such a function, or was their imaan really dented?

Avoiding Divine Wrath – Ml Ilyas Patel رحمه الله