The Catastrophe Of Music
If the going out culture was not enough for the destruction of the Ummah, the curse of music has ravaged every city, town, village, alley, lane and every house. Listening to music has now become a daily occupation. Understand this carefully; it is impermissible to listen or play music on our devices, radios, televisions, etc. Use our devices for a good purpose but do not contaminate our lives with music. If we are reckless and negligent with regards the playing of music, very soon will we face destruction and ruin. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has shown to us that the areas where music became rife tasted the punishment of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Cities were destroyed because of carelessness.
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said; “When musical singers will increase, musical instruments will appear, liquor will be consumed excessively and your honoured personalities will be cursed. Then await red dust-storms, earthquakes, sinking of the earth, disfiguring of forms and the raining of stones from the skies. Be concerned to save yourself and others from such punishments.”
(Behisti Zewar, Part 10, page 61)
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES ADAPTED FROM FOUR TEMPTATIONS by Sufi Jalaaluddeen Siddiq Kiranwi)
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THE NEED TO GO OUT?
There was a time when it was considered a disgrace for a woman to sing, dance and sit unveiled in front of a stranger. Leave alone the upper class of people, even the lower class considered it to be an act of shamelessness and disgrace. Does the shame and self-honour of a person allow him to let his wife and daughter dance and sing in front of strangers? Is it possible for him to attend such a gathering along with his women-folk and seat them unveiled in front of strangers? Today, in almost every locality, there are places where variety shows are taking place. Muslims frequent these immoral gatherings and with boldness, they interact with strangers with their wives and daughters. The essence of modesty has left us and the Muslims have compromised their culture of purity.
Alas! What has happened? Where is our intelligence? Both rich and poor are involved in this calamity. To attend a fair has now become a necessity of life. We need to ask ourselves; is it a matter of pride to attend these type of gatherings? Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said; “I have been sent to abolish music.” On the other hand, we claim to be the lovers of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, yet we present ourselves at the gatherings of immorality. Sadly, we consider the attendance of such gatherings to be part of the culture of Islam. What an injustice!
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES ADAPTED FROM FOUR TEMPTATIONS by Sufi Jalaaluddeen Siddiq Kiranwi)
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An Exemplary Incident
This is an amazing incident of two friends. One was living in Jeddah and the other in Riyadh. They were very intimate friends. Both were religiously conscious and pious. The family of the friend living in Riyadh insisted that he bring a television set home. On the insistence of his children and wife, he purchased a television set for his family. After a few days he passed away. His friend who resided in Jeddah saw him thrice in a dream, each time being punished. Each time he told his friend living in Jeddah; “For Allah’s sake tell my family members to remove that television set from the house. Since the time of my burial I am being punished because of the television set I had purchased. Those people (his family) are enjoying the scenes of immodesty while I am suffering punishment.”
The friend living in Jeddah reached Riyadh by air and informed his friend’s family about the dream. He told them that he had seen the dream thrice. His friend’s family began crying. The eldest son stood up and, in a rage of anger, smashed the television set into bits and pieces. Thereafter, the bits and pieces were thrown into a garbage bin. The friend living in Jeddah returned home. Once again he saw his friend in a dream. This time he was in a good condition. There was a glitter on his face. He made the following duaa for his sympathetic friend; “May Allah Ta’ala save you from calamities as you have saved me from this calamity.”
The incident above illustrates the consequences of the family members slipping into sin because of the purchase of a television set; this wreaked havoc in the home where the family became shameless and careless. The elder of the family was instrumental in nurturing immodesty. Allowing the bringing of gadgets and devices annihilates the institution of modesty; this results in the transformation of the environment at home towards rebellion. The reality is the elder has decided to compromise the Aakhirah of the entire family; it is as if he is shoving his beloved children into the pits of Jahannum.
(SOURCE: TA’MEERE HAYAAH – LUCKNOW)
اللهم احفظنا! آمين
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Going Out Of The Home Unnecessarily
Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله has said that nothing is more harmful to a believer than the company of those who neglect the Aakhirah, because it is natural to man that he absorbs the nature of other people’s heart in an unseen way. Outwardly, he may not behave like them. Also, those who see the world, not only incline to get it but also incite others to get their share of it.
People who look at the men of the world, their homes and their luxuries become instinctively inclined to be like them. The yearning to attain more becomes a continuous worry. The primary issue for slipping into negligence is the absence of Taqwa.
Hazrat Sirri Saqati رحمه الله would weep all night out of the fear of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. The sheer exertions in ibaadah by Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رحمه الله are incomparable. Nowadays, people are distant from the ways of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Hence, it is imperative that those who obey Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله must not move out of their houses unless compelled out of necessity. If there is a need to leave the house, they should lower their gaze and exercise great caution when interacting with the various types of people.
The great need today is that we hold fast onto solitude, study the lives of the Ahlullāh and visit the graves of the pious. Over and above the compulsory Salaah, we need to make every effort to perform Tahajjud Salaah and be steadfast in making duaa. The remembrance of death is vital in that we will not entertain distant hopes. The concern must be to secure the provisions for the journey to the Aakhirah.
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES ADAPTED FROM SINS AND THEIR EVIL EFFECTS – page 77 – by Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله)
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Desires Of The Nafs Are Temporary
Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله has said that consignment to Jahannum is because of disobedience; the result of being involved in impermissible pleasures. Man deceives himself into thinking that immodest acts are pleasurable whereas innumerable hardships are experienced because of one succumbing to temptations. Furthermore, a consequence of lewdness is that people will develop a resentment towards one.
Is it an act of intelligence where a person goes to Jahannum because of his choice of “pleasures”? Undoubtedly the scourge of adultery brings about disgrace and punishment. Indulgence in alcohol is another “pleasure” which causes one to compromise his sanity and self-honour. The pandemic of substance abuse has caused havoc in society.
Does man not want to understand that the resultant punishment is quite out of proportion to the experience of a temporary “pleasure”; the end result being misery and hardship.
One needs to believe in the existence of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; it is in His wisdom where some acts are permissible and others are impermissible. A servant has to have conviction in the fact that the obedient will be rewarded and the disobedient will be punished on the Day of Qiyaamah. Thus, by virtue of staying within the parameters of Shariah, one will achieve respect in the hearts of people, happiness in submission and true pleasure (of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله) in the Aakhirah.
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES DERIVED FROM SINS AND THEIR EFFECTS, page 78/9 by Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله)
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Reality Of Evil Desires
Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله has said that many people do not look at the reality of things whereas they regard the fleeting as enduring. This is because their sight is on the current scene.
The learned scholar has then admonished that man, does not see that pleasure will end but their effects will remain. If the thief, when he steals, sees his hand being cut, then it will be easy for him to quit stealing. He who hoards wealth but does not spend does not acknowledge that wealth is an instrument to objectives and needs. In the same way, excessive eating and drinking creates lust within the body. The Shariah has commanded that man saves himself from adultery. The hardships, punishment and disgrace that follow adultery are the result of just a few moments of pleasure which is just not worthwhile when considering the displeasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله says; “Do not approach adultery. It is indecent and an evil path.” Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has warned that after idolatry (or polytheism), the gravest sin is to put the sperm in an unlawful womb. (Ibn Abū Dunyā)
(SOURCE: PRINCIPLES DERIVED FROM SINS AND THEIR EVIL EFFECTS, page 78 by Sheikh Abdur Rahmān ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله)