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.