In the Name & Guise of Deen – Hadhrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullah alayhi)

‘In the name & guise of Deen’

By: Hadhrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullah alayhi)

Society is suffering from a sickness that has reached epidemic proportions. It is so serious that its warnings must be repeated to drive the point home.

Fitnahs (Trials, corruption, mischief, etc.) abound, and the most dangerous Fitnah is that which takes the form and garb of Deen.

In the name and guise of Deen, Muslims are being invited to ‘fund-raising’ programmes, lunches, dinners, pre-Ramadaan and Eid Fairs. Funds are being raised for Deeni projects in this manner. The context of these programmes is ‘Fun’ and ‘Entertainment’ which entails socializing. The Muslim is encouraged to bring along his wife, daughters, mother and sisters.

Since this is in the name of Deen, people consider it as Ibaadah (worship), something virtuous. One can gauge how serious the matter is. The person is not going to make Taubah for this. He is not going to consider the intermingling and the socializing as sinful, because the event is promoted as something meritorious and ‘Halaal’, and because the invitation is from people and organizations that are representing Deen, and whom it is expected, would know better as to what is Haraam and Halaal.

Even if an Aalim is involved in such activities or endorsing such programmes and is seen at such venues, this does not make it Halaal. Rather, this is the weakness of that Aalim.

Many complaints are received regarding the immodest dressing of the women, the intermingling of sexes, the disconcerting condition of the youth, etc. This is the trap of Shaytaan and Nafs! So the person is gazing at such strange women (or vice versa), engaging in Haraam pleasure and destroying the heart with evil desires.

‘It is not permissible to be present in a gathering where Allah Ta’ala is being disobeyed.’

Mullah Ali Qaari (Rahmatullahi alaih) has defined Hayaa (modesty): “The reality of Hayaa is that your Maula (Your true Master) must not find you in that place which He has forbidden.”

Such events and functions bring one close to Zina (adultery). Allah Ta’ala says: “And do not come close to Zina. Verily it is a shameful and evil path” [Surah Al-Isra 17:32]

Such functions promote Zina of the eyes, whereas it is from the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala that we lower our gazes from looking at non Mahram men or women.

Allah Ta’ala addresses both the believing men and believing women: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is Haraam) and to be modest … And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at that which is forbidden) and to be modest and not to show off their beauty.” [Surah Nur V:29/30]

Young men have written to me and have mentioned quite explicitly that their intentions in frequenting such functions, fairs, souks and programmes are for no other purpose but to admire the women. Some have even mentioned deriving Haraam pleasure by deliberately touching those women in the crowd and if these are not our wives, then they are our daughters or mothers or sisters or nieces who are exposed to lustful glances and touching.

So when it is evident that these programmes and fairs are against the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, we can stop ourselves and our families even if we cannot stop others.
Bear in mind the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam): “The most beloved places in the sight of Allah are the Masaajid, and the most disliked places in the sight of Allah Ta’ala are the souks (markets and bazaars).” (Sahih Muslim)

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the correct understanding and the ability to practise our Deen according to the Shariah and teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).