Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Year-End Parties: Islamic View

Year-end Celebrations

As the year draws to a close, we see many people spending money, either exorbitantly or in useless things, and they waste their money on alcoholic beverages and amusement. One of these waste is the purchase and lighting of firecrackers.

Lighting firecrackers is not the work/deed of a Muslim, for a good Muslim is one who lives his life according to the commandments of Almighty Allah. Lighting firecrackers is one of the ways to disobey Almighty Allah. When a person disobeys Almighty Allah he does not remain a good Muslim anymore. Lighting firecrackers is a waste. Someone who indulges in waste, Almighty Allah calls him brother of Satan because Satan attracts the person and makes him move away from Almighty Allah. There is no worse situation than someone getting away (or distancing himself) from Almighty Allah. Through the explosion of firecrackers, a person disturbs his neighbour and indisposes those who are already in pain. These explosions prevent people from resting. Someone who tires his neighbour is a Zalim (someone who does wrong). A Zalim exposes himself to divine wrath. Is there life more miserable than living in divine wrath?

According to the meaning of a Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said that the true Muslim is one who does no harm to Muslims. Through the lighting of firecrackers, a person disqualifies himself as a real Muslim because he disturbs his fellowmen (that is to say, brothers and sisters like him).

There is no profit in detonating firecrackers. On the contrary it hurts people's lives and at the same time you burn your money, money that you made so many sacrifices to acquire. Who knows that with this money that you have reserved to buy firecrackers to satisfy your desires and undeserved pleasures, you take it instead to relieve the suffering of someone else (who is in need). Certainly your brother or sister who is in trouble deserves this money more than you if you plan to burn it in the explosion of firecrackers. By a small sacrifice that you will make to resist against this bad desire, you will make yourselves and your families happy be it here in this world as well as in the hereafter.

On Blind Imitation of Other Cultures

Today is 22 December 2017, and Christmas festivities are approaching. All the countries of the world, and also Mauritius have made this holiday a national one; a celebration that is not only for Christians but for all nations. But if you are a Muslim, then you are strictly forbidden to celebrate Christmas or give gifts on this occasion. When we say that it is strictly forbidden to celebrate Christmas, it means that it is Haram (illicit) because in celebrating Christmas, we imitate non-Muslims. Our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had taken a very harsh stance on those who imitate others. According to a Hadith, a person who imitates a community becomes similar to those belonging to that same community. Becoming similar to this same community means that he/ she risks being considered one of their own on the Day of Judgement Day (in the next world) because he/ she imitated that community or any other belief instead of behaving like a Muslim and belonging to Islam.

We can stay in good terms with others without imitating them. It is not necessary to do the same as them to show that you are on good terms with them. On the contrary, it is our duty to make others respect our principles and our Deen (religion), especially with what has happened since the year 2001 when Islam and the Muslims have become the targets of all sorts of mockery and blame. So now, if you do not know how to respect your own principles (as Muslims), then others will not respect them and shall not respect you also.

Say 'No' to Drinking Parties!

Another thing that is common nowadays, especially at the end of the year is dinner/s at the office and so on. On the occasion of the end of year celebrations, you can receive proposals from your friends and colleagues, inviting you to 'have a little fun'. That is to say, your friends and colleagues will invite you to have a drink with them just as a little bit of fun, to have a good time. You must not at any time accept these kinds of invitations. By accepting these types of invitations, you get carried away by Satan who is an open enemy for you. You will unbalance your position which was until now still stable. You will take the first step towards your own destruction. Your wives, children, and loved ones will suffer tremendously together with you. Is all this still 'pleasure/ fun' in your eyes? Such pleasures that only trigger huge damage? We must learn to say 'NO' to the pleasures that make us disobey Almighty Allah, the One God Who loves us more than parents love their children!

Sometimes it can happen that you say, 'There is no harm if I drink a (fruit) juice  at the table together with those who consume alcohol as long as I do not consume alcohol!' . BEWARE! That too is not allowed. As a Muslim, you do not have the right to drink alcohol or to be together with those who consume alcohol, and you should not drink Zamzam water at the same table where wine or alcoholic beverages are served.

Seek Divine Forgiveness 

If you have done this in the past, then ask for Allah's forgiveness, for Allah is full of mercy and forgiveness. Asking the forgiveness of Allah The Almighty is a very great Ibaadat. It is a practice that Allah the Almighty appreciates well. It is an action that stems from the regret and remorse a person feels when he feels guilty. It is an Ibaadat that fills him with humility. Humility is something that Allah the Almighty really loves. So asking for forgiveness from Allah cleanses a person and brings him closer to Almighty Allah.

Our elders made their best efforts not to commit sins, but they often asked Almighty Allah for forgiveness after spending a sleepless night in acts of devotion. They were aware of not being devoted enough to Allah, and so they asked for much forgiveness for the lack of quantity and quality of their prayers.

Today we are drowning in sin but we do not find the need to ask Allah for forgiveness. That's because our hearts have become rusty with sins. If we do not ask forgiveness, it is very likely that it will worsen our situation so much that we can lose the Tawfiq and the will.

'Jalsa' in Kerala 

Finally, we have a special thought for our members in South Kerala who are starting their Jalsa Salana today. May Allah bless them, and enrich them with divine knowledge and make them fully enjoy these two days of Jalsa Salana which are filled with blessings. We, as believers, as Muslims, it is our duty to remain attached to Allah and to move away from all things that will draw the wrath of Allah. On the contrary, we must organize spiritual programs to make people understand the existence and uniqueness of Allah and Taqwa (the fear of Allah). 

'Jalsa' in Tamil Nadu

Insha-Allah, our members in Tamil Nadu will also hold their Jalsa Salana on December 25th. So think of them also in your duahs, may Allah bless them and help them to succeed in their efforts to attract the pleasure of Allah and His satisfaction. Insha-Allah, Ameen.

---Friday Sermon of 22 December 2017(03 Rabi’ul Aakhir 1439 AH) delivered by Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.