Thursday, July 12, 2012

Blossom of the Youth | An Eye Opener

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Following is an Eye Opener Preface of the famous Book "Bahar-e-Shabab" by Hadrat Allama Mawlana Shaykh Abd al-Aleem Siddiqui Qadiri Meerathi (Khalifa of Sayyiduna AlaHadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan Qadiri) written with extreme sincerity and honest concern towards to the youth of entire Islamic Ummah. A must must must read Book and specially the Preface! Hope you will read it yourself and share it with your contacts as well... JazakALLAH in Anticipation!

 
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ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has blessed humankind with numerous powers and His (SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala) Wisdom has equipped man with the knowledge of using it. Although the Creator has given such knowledge to animals, there is a unique difference between humans and animals. Since humankind is the highest order of creation, the Creator has therefore blessed it with a special faculty of knowledge that makes it superior to other creation. ALLAH has equipped the human beings to use this knowledge creatively and also enhance it tremendously. Such ability is not found in the animal kingdom.

Nowadays, claims are made that man is advancing very rapidly and will soon reach the peak of perfection. Man's advancements in technology, science, chemistry, discoveries, etc. has created a new dimension in this world. His speed of advancement is reaching the once untouchable frontiers of the Universe. His scientific advancement in technology is accomplishing that work in minutes which the physical hand could not do a hundred of years ago. The feet required years of laborious effort to cover distances while modern technology covers that in hours. In this scientific era, a train, a car and an aeroplane can traverse the globe in a matter of hours while in the past this was not physically possible. What the physical ears and eyes could hear was limited but today modern technology can hear and see objects millions of miles away. Televisions, telephones, telescopes, and wireless communications can capture images and sounds in a split of a second from the far and wide corners of the universe while some years ago this was regarded as impossible.

People generally regarded this as an incredible achievement for mankind. But if one carefully ponders over these special abilities and knowledge on which the West relies for its survival, then certainly, one will reach the conclusion that day by day man is not progressing, but in fact regressing. It is possible that one may refute this assumption by presenting proofs of man's progress to the contribution of humanity. However, man's special skills have also led to his destruction e.g. numerous types of drugs are researched and manufactured to protect and enhance these special skills of man. But these proofs are actually delusions which can be understood with a little thought.

The increase in numbers of an entity does not prove the increase of advancement or progress of that entity. A correct conclusion can be achieved after pondering carefully at all factors. For example, 200 years ago in a community of 100 thousand people, within 10 years it was found that there was an increase of 10 thousand perfectly healthy and strong people amongst them. On the contrary, nowadays there is not such a high rate of increase of healthy people in communities. In fact in a community of 100 thousand people, one will find the rate of a maximum of 20 or 25 thousand and that too, most of them are weak, sick and disable. Now would you sincerely classify this as an increase or decrease? Excessive sickness, weak physique and decrease in productivity abnormal to natural growth rate clearly proves that the productive sperm or special powers of the humankind were not only hindered in progress but also not protected as it should have been, otherwise such a situation would not have prevailed.

If a single seed is planted in the correct season and environment and cared for strictly according to the rules of cultivation, then there is a great hope of a healthy harvest. But if the same seed is unsystematically cultivated certainly there will be no seedling, crop or harvest. If by chance such seeds do sprout, then the crop will not be healthy and if by chance the crop is healthy and produces fruit, then this fruit will certainly not be healthy with a high rating quality.

The same applies to the seed of the human (sperm) when it is haphazardly thrown on infertile or polluted places or illegitimately planted. The end result of such transaction will indeed produce disastrous and non-progressive societies. There is no shortage of doctors and medications, yet there is a huge population of sick people seeking medical assistance. The situation of treatment and medication is similar to patching a hole with an old feeble piece of cloth to hide the hole or constantly topping oil in an engine with blown rings and bearings just to carry on moving. It is therefore most important on all sensible persons for the sake of salvation and protecting the real essence of man to formulate methods of correctly utilizing its special powers blessed by its Creator, ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.


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وَاحْفَظْ مَنِيُكَ مَااسْتَطَعْتَ فَاِنَّهُ
؛ مَاءُ الحَيوةِ يراقَ فيِ الاَرْحَامِ
Protect your sperm as much as you can for verily,
It is the water of life stored in the delicate womb.
 

By the virtue of my personal experience, I can safely say that if 100 sick young male and female come to me, I will find 99 of them suffering from the weakness of the same essence (sperm). Certain medications do tone and give it strength; and a prop offers help to one with a broken hip, but this provides short term help to the disturbed or contaminated real essence and characteristic of man. This short term help also depends on the extent of damage.

But as far as the concept of protecting and serving the purity of the human race is concerned, this is not possible by medication or instruments. In fact, in these disturbed times, the lives of people become senseless and bewildered when they correctly or incorrectly use their special powers. Thus, the theory of "Adolescence is Madness" comes to mind. The earnest contribution of an intelligent physician is that he, on the one hand, wisely treats his patients professionally and, on the other hand, inculcates moral ethics in the minds of the youth who are entangled in the stormy oceans of lust and temptations of adolescence. Always build a protective wall around a spring to contain and protect it so that everyone can benefit from its nourishment otherwise its water will go to waste. No matter how severe the storm of the ocean, a well trained pilot will steer his ship safely through it. If a river is controlled and channeled correctly, it will irrigate and nourish the lands with new life, but an unprotected river in a storm will burst its banks and destroy everything in its path like a wild animal on rampage.

In this modern age many Ministries (e.g. Health) are researching and formulating methods and chemicals to combat diseases and spending millions to achieve this. Every municipality is loaded with files of problems and thousand of workers and specialist are employed to solve them. But, is there any ministry or municipality of any country in the world that is concerned about the security and correct usage of the essence of man and the protection of its misuses? Are any governments of the worlds concerned about the contamination and sickness that are spreading because of the misuse of this divinely misused essence? Which country in the world is struggling to rectify or stop the corruption of abuse of the core of humankind that is destroying nations and threatening its future generations?

But alas! The think-tanks of governments are totally ignorant or careless of this important reality. A true and sincere person will be concerned and cry tears of blood when he sees the destruction of a nation and its youth. The reader will find the drops of these same tears of blood scattered in the contents of this book and this is my first step in the service of the present day youth and its future generation. The pages of this book are no illusions or fantasies nor are they theory or medical prescriptions or speculations of lawmakers and theories of scientists. They are sincere words from the depths of the heart soaked in pain and concern for the youth of the world.

May my words through the Lord of the Universe have a profound impact on the hearts of humankind. Oh Merciful ALLAH! Let these words be source of guidance for all those who are astray from Your righteous path... Aameen!!


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— — —
Extracted from: Bahar-e-Shabab
by Shah 'Abd al-'Aleem Siddiqui Meeruthi

Translation: Shaykh Abd al Hadi al Qadiri Radawi


The Importance of Fiqh and Excellence of a Faqih


Fiqah refers to Islamic Jurisprudence and is the explanation of the Shariah in the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah. There are four well-known schools of Jurisprudence, namely; Hanafi; Shafi'i; Hambali and Maliki. Fiqh plays a very important part in the life of every Muslim. The learned Jurists (Fuqaha) have derived the important rulings of the Shariah based on the commands of Qur'an and Sunnah. The importance of Fiqh and the excellence in understanding the Deen has been mentioned clearly in the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith.

Shafi'i, Malik, Ahmad, Imam-e-Hanif;
Chaar Baag-e-Imamat pe Laakhon Salam

Blessed Grave of Imam al-Azam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu in Baghdad Sharif, Iraq.
 
Fiqh in the Light of the Qur'an al-Karim

Intellect, acumen and understanding are great blessings of Allah. It is necessary for a Muslim to be blessed with these if he wishes to understand the Holy Qur'an, The Hadith, and the secrets and laws that have been mentioned therein.

Almighty Allah says

إن في ذلك لآيات لقوم يعقلون
'Verily, in it are signs for those who understand' [Surah al-Rome, Verse 24]

In another verse of the Holy Qur'an Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala says

إن في ذلك لآيات لقوم يتفكرون
'Verily, in it are signs for those who deliberate.' [Surah al-Rome, Verse 21]

Almighty Allah says

وتلك الأمثال نضربها للناس لعلهم يتفكرون
'And We present these examples for the people, so that they may contemplate' [Surah al-Hashr, Verse 21]

Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala says

قد فصلنا الآيات لقوم يفقهون
'Undoubtedly, we have explained the signs in detail; for those who understand.' [Surah al-An'aam Verse 98]

The above mentioned verses of the Holy Qur'an make it very clear that to attain Tafaqquh fid Deen, i.e. proper understanding and appreciation of the Deen; one has to be blessed with intellect and the capability to understand.

Those who have been blessed with the knowledge of Deen and especially with the knowledge of Fiqh are those who have been bestowed with special blessings by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.

The Holy Qur'an makes it very clear that those with knowledge and those who are unaware are not alike. Almighty Allah says

قل هل يستوي الذين يعلمون والذين لا يعلمون إنما يتذكر أولو الألباب
'(O Beloved) Say you; Are those who know and those who know not equal? Surely, it is the wise alone that recognize the guidance.' [Surah al-Zumar, Verse 9]

Almighty Allah says:
 
ومن يؤت الحكمة فقد أوتي خيرا كثيرا
'And he, who has been blessed with wisdom, has surely been blessed with great virtue.' [Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 269]

It must be noted that the Mufasireen (commentators of the Qur'an) have mentioned that wherever in the Qur'an the mention of Wisdom has come, it refers to the knowledge of Fiqh. The importance of Fiqh, i.e. understanding the Deen is also evident from this verse of the Holy Qur'an.

Almighty Allah says

فلولا نفر من كل فرقة منهم طائفة ليتفقهوا في الدين ولينذروا قومهم إذا رجعوا إليهم لعلهم يحذرون
'And it is not possible for all the believers to go out (at once); Then why should a delegation not come forth from every grouping, so that they may attain the understanding of Religion, thereafter returning to their people, warning them, in the hope that they may remain guarded. [Surah al-Tawbah, Verse 122]

Whilst explaining this verse of the Holy Qur'an, Sadrul Afaadil Allama Sayyid Na'eemud'deen Muradabadi Alaihir raHma wa ar-Ridwan says:

'It is not necessary for every person to become an Aalim or Faqih. However, every individual has to attain sufficient knowledge to be able to differentiate between that which is lawful and unlawful, and to know what Fard is and what Waajib is. To acquire this amount of knowledge is Fard-e-'Ain upon every Muslim, and to acquire more knowledge than this is Fard-e-Kifaayah. It has been mentioned in the Hadith, that it is Fard upon every Muslim to acquire knowledge (of Deen).' [Tafseer Khazain al-Irfan]

Blessed Grave of  Imam Maalik Ibn Anas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu in Baqi Sharif.
 
The Excellence of a Faqih in the Light of Hadith

Up to now, we have mentioned the importance of Fiqh in the light of the Holy Qur'an. This has been further explained and clarified in the Hadith Sharif.

Hadrat Sayyiduna Ameer Mu'awiyah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu has reported that the Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said:

من يرد الله به خيرا يفقهه في الدين
'If Allah wills to bestow someone with special virtue; He makes him a Faqih of the Religion'.

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Chapter 13, Page 137, Hadith 71
Sahih Muslim, Volume 6, Chapter 34, Page 396, Hadith 2439
Mishkat al-Masabih, Volume 1, Page 43, Hadith 200

Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reported that Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said:

خيارهم في الجاهلية خيارهم في الإسلام إذا فقهوا
'Those who were good in the days of ignorance are also good in Islam, if they have understanding of the Deen.'

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 12, Chapter 8, Page 20, Hadith 3353
Sahih Muslim, Volume 15, Chapter 44, Page 450, Hadith 6311
Mishkat al-Masabih, Volume 1, Page 43, Hadith 201

In this Hadith, Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam mentioned that people are bestowed with being better, on the basis of Fiqh, i.e. on the basis of their understanding of their Deen. This also proves that according to Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam, one of the best qualities in a person is for him to have knowledge of Fiqh.

Once the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) made the following Dua for Hadrat Abdullah ibn 'Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu by saying:

اللهم فقهه في الدين
'O Allah! Make him a Faqih of the Religion.'

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Chapter 10, Page 260, Hadith 143
Sahih Muslim, Volume 16, Chapter 45, Page 195, Hadith 6523
Mishkat al-Masabih, Volume 3, Page 340, Hadith 6139

Hadrat Ibn 'Abbas Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu says that Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said

فقيه واحد أشد على الشيطان من ألف عابد
'One Faqih is more superior over shaitaan, than a thousand worshippers.'

Sunan Tirmidhi, Volume 10, Chapter 19, Page 203, Hadith 2897
Sunan Ibn Majah, Volume 1, Chapter 39, Page 267, Hadith 227
Mishkat al-Masabih, Volume 1, Page 47, Hadith 217

From this Hadith it is evident that a single Faqih (Jurist) is more powerful over shaitaan, than a thousand devout worshippers. The reason for this is that due to the knowledge which Almighty Allah has bestowed upon him, and due to his understanding of the Deen, he is able to recognise and avoid the traps and the trickery of shaitaan. In reality, he becomes the one who assist others to be protected from the trickery and deception of shaitaan.


Blessed Grave of Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu in al-Fustat, Egypt.

In Ilm al-Hadith, there are two things that are fundamental. The first being, the authenticity of the chain of transmission, and its narration; and the second being its meaning and understanding it. The Muhaditheen of the Ummah memorised and preserved the words and chain of transmission of the Hadith, whereas the distinguished Fuqaha carried the responsibility of understanding its true meaning and wisdom. It should also be noted that the distinguished Fuqaha also have complete expertise and proficiency in the subject of Hadith. One incident pointing to the importance and excellence of the Fuqaha is as follows:

Khateeb Baghdadi Alaihir raHma wa ar-Ridwan mentions that a Group of Muhaditheen were present, when a woman who used to bathe deceased females came forth and asked a question, 'Can a female who is menstruating give Ghusl to a female who has passed away or not?'

Imam Yahya bin Mu'een, Abu Hatheema, Zuhair bin Harb, and Khalf bin Saalim etc. who are regarded amongst distinguished Muhaditheen were present there. Each one of them began to look at the other, and none of them was able to give an answer immediately. At that time, Imam Abu Thaur who with the exception of being a Muhadith; was also a Mujtahid and a Faqih, passed by. The lady approached him and queried regarding the said issue. He said 'Yes, a female who is menstruating is permitted to give Ghusl to a deceased female.' The reason being that once Rasoolullah SallAllaho Alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallam said to Hadrat A'isha Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha:

حيضتك ليس في يدك
'Your menstruation is not in your hand'.

It is also mentioned in the Hadith that whilst in the condition of Haidh, Hadrat A'isha Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha used to sprinkle water in the hair of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) and she would comb a path in his hair. So, if in such a condition, water can be poured onto the head of a living person, why then can a deceased not be given Ghusl?'

When the distinguished Muhaditheen heard this Fatwa of Imam Abu Thaur they began to discuss the chain of transmission of the Hadith he had mentioned, mentioning who its narrators were and how it was narrated. When the woman heard this, she said 'Where were you all this while?' In other words, she tried to say that if that were the case, why then did they not give the answer'. [Tareekh-e-Baghdad, Volume 6, Page 67]

Blessed Grave of Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu in Baghdad, Iraq.

— — —

Excerpted from

'Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa' by
Allama Sayyid Shah Turab al-Haq Qadiri

Ruling on Referring to Madinah al-Munawwarah as 'Yathrib'



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A Question was sent to Syeduna AlaHadrat Ash-Shah Imam Ahmad Rida Khan al-Qadiri Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho by Syed Muhammad Shah Sahib of Amroha on 22nd Sha'ban al Mu'azzam 1311H regarding the ruling on Referring to Madina Sharif as 'Yathrib' according to Shari'ah al Mutahhara... Following is the Question and the remarkable Answer given by the Great Imam and Mujaddid Alaihir RaHmatu war-Ridwan!!


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Question: Is it permissible in the Shari'ah to call Madina Sharif 'Yathrib'? What is the ruling for the person who does? Bayyinu Tujiru.

Answer: It is impermissible and forbidden to call Madina Tayyiba as Yathrib. It is a sin and the one who says it a sinner. RasoolAllah SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam said:

من سمی المدینة یثرب فلیستغفر اﷲ ھی طابة ھی طابة، رواه الامام احمد بسند صحیح عن البراء ان عازب رضی اﷲ تعالٰی عنه
"Whoever calls Madina Yathrib, it is necessary for him to repent. Madina is Taabah, Madina is Taabah. [Narrated by Bara' bin 'Azin, Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Maktaba al Islami (Berut), Vol 4, Page 285]


'Allama Manawi writes in al-Taysir Sharh al-Jami' al-Saghir:

فتسمیتھا بذٰلک حرام لان الاستغفار انما ھو عن خطیئة
From this hadith we learn that it is Haram to name Madina Tayyiba as Yathrib. We are told to repent after calling it so and repentance is only after a sin. [al-Taysir Sharh al-Jami' al-Saghir, Maktaba Imam Shafa'ee (Riyadh), Vol 2, Page 424]

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Mulla 'Ali Qari rahimahu'l Bari writes in al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat:

قد حکی عن بعض السلف تحریم تسمیة المدینة بیثرب ویؤیده مارواه احمد لافذکر الحدیث المذکور ثم قال قال الطیبی رحمه اﷲ تعالٰی فظهران من یحقر شان ما عظمه اﷲ تعالٰی ومن وصف ماسماه اﷲ تعالٰی بالایمان بمالایلیق به یستحق ان یسمی عاصیا
It is reported from some of the predecessors that calling Madina as Yathrib is Haram. This is supported by the hadith which is recorded by Imam Ahmad . 'Allama Tayyibi rahimahullah said that it is evident from this that whoever disrespects anything that Allah has honoured and has given the name Iman and this person talks about it in a way that is unbefitting, then he is worthy of being names 'Aasi (sinner). [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]


When the Qur'an mentions the word Yathrib, it is to inform us what the hypocrites would say:

واذاقالت طائفة مهنم یااھل یثرب لامقام لکم
And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefore turn back. [33:13]


The word Yathrib means fighting and censure. This is why these filthy people referred to it as such. Allah refuted them by naming it Taabah. RasoolAllah SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam said:

یقولون یثرب وھی المدینة
They call it Yathrib but it is Madina. [Bukhari, 1:252]

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He SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam also said:

ان اﷲ تعالٰی سمی المدینة طابة
Indeed Allah has named Madina as Taabah.


References:

Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Maktaba al Islami , Vol 5, Page89
Sahih Muslim, Qadeemi Kutb Khana , Vo 1, Page 445

Mulla 'Ali Qari writes in al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat:

المعنی ان اﷲ تعالٰی سماھا فی اللوح المحفوظ او امرنبیه ان یسمیھا بها ردا علی المنافقین فی تسمیتھا بیثرب ایماء الی تثریبهم فی الرجوع الیها
It means that Allah had names Madina Munawwara as Taabah on the preserved tablet or He ordered his beloved Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam to name it such. Allah has castigated the hypocrites for reverting to the disreputable name Yathrib. [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]


He also writes:

قال النووی رحمه اﷲ تعالٰی قد حکی عیسٰی بن دینار ان من سماھا یثرب کتب علیه خطیئة واما تسمیتھا فی القراٰن بیثرب فهی حکایة قول المنافقین الذین فی قلوبهم مرض
Imam Nawawi rahimahullah states that it is reported regarding 'Isa bin Dinar that whoever calls Madina as Yathrib, he is a sinner. When the Qur'an refers to Yathrib, it is only to let us know of the illness present in the hearts of the hypocrites. [al-Mirqat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Habibiya (Quetta), Vol 5, Page 622]

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Some verses of poetry from the scholars contain this word. Our excuse for them is that they did not know of this hadith and ruling. He who knows the ruling and persists has no excuse, whether it is poetry or otherwise. The Shari'ah governs the poetry, not vice versa. Mawlana Shaykh MuHaqqiq 'Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi Quddassa Sirrahu writes:

حضرت محمد صلی الله تعالٰی علیه وسلم او رامدینه نام نهاد از جهت تمدن واجتماعی مردم واستیناس و ایتلاف ایشاں دردے ونهی کرد از خواندن یثرب یا از جهت آنکه نام جاهلیت است یا سبب آنکه مشتق از یثرب بمعنی هلاک وفساد وتثریب بمعنی توبیخ وملامت ست یا بتقریب آنکه دراصل نام صنمے یا یکے از جبابره بود، بخاری درتاریخ خود حدیثے آورده که یکبار یثرب گوید باید که ده بار مدینه گوید تاتدارک و تلافی آں کند ودر روایتے دیگر آمده باید که استغفار کند و بعضے گفته اند که تعزیر باید کرد قائل آں را وآنکه درقرآن مجید آمده است یا اهل یثرب از زباں منافقان ست که بذکر آں قصد اهانت آن می کردند عجب که برزبان بعضے اکابر دراشعار لفظ یثرب آمده۔ والله تعالٰی اعلم وعلمه جل مجده
The Prophet SallAllahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam names it Madina. This is because people lived and gathered there and loved the city. He warned against calling it Yathrib because this is the name from the days of ignorance or because it is derived from either Tharb which means destruction and fighting or Tathrib which means reprimand and censure or because Yathrib was the name of an idol or an oppressive and rebellious person. Imam Bukhari narrates a hadith in his Tareekh that whoever says Yathrib once, he should say Madina ten times so that he compensates for it. When the Qur'an says, "Ya ahla yathrib", it is from the tongues of the hypocrites and by saying Yathrib, they wanted to disrespect Madina. Another narration mentions that whoever says Yathrib should repent towards Allah and seek forgiveness. And some have said that he be punished. Amazing is the fact that some leading people have used Yathrib in their poems. And Allah knows well, the knowledge of the glorious is complete and strong. [Ashi'atul Lum'aat Sharh Mishkat, Maktaba Noori Razavi (Sukkar), Vol 2, Page 393-394]

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Extracted From
Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 21, Page 116 to 119

Rendered into English by: Muhammad Aqdas, U.K.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Monday, April 2, 2012

Turn Off the Television

Turn Off the Television

Every year, more and more Muslim households are throwing out their television sets. While the reasons vary from family to family, a common concern among these families is that it is un-Islamic. In the last two decades, the type of programming on television has changed dramatically.

Even by Western standard, what was unacceptable twenty years ago has become a common place on prime time television today. Whether it is the evening news or other programs, the stories and images of shirk, immoral behavior and violence, to name a few, are some of the non-Islamic influences taught to be acceptable on television and absorbed by our youth. What is ironic is that they all suffer from the safety of their home. Furthermore, the statistics regarding television viewing are phenomenal. According to the A.C. Neilsen Co. (1998) the television set is on, for an average of 7 hours 12 minutes a day in the average American home. This is a lot of time for the absorption of un-Islamic influences on very impressionable young minds. Family who could not altogether throw the television set out, are limiting the amount of viewing time for their children.

The summer months present a unique problem for parents in regards to television viewing time. Children have a lot more time on their hands and often choose this passive form of entertainment in order to pass time. Basically, parents have two options. The first option is to totally throw away the television set. This the safest for their deen and their mind. And while this may create complaints from the children, it will force both parents and children to find other more creative activities in order to use their time. The second choice is to limit the amount of time and screen the type of programs watched by your children. Parents will need to be involved in finding alternative activities for their family. The following is a list of creative activities for families which conform to the guidelines of the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Explore the great outdoors 
One of the main advantages of summer is the beautiful weather. The potential for outdoor activities is endless. Therefore, why should children be stuck inside during one of the most beautiful times of the year watching shows that hinder their Islamic development? Rather, send them outside - let them engage in creative play with other Muslim children. After all, learning appropriate socialization skills and Islamic manners is a very important part of developing your child's Islamic character.

Encourage Reading and Acquiring Islamic Knowledge 
Another alternative activity is to encourage reading and studying Arabic. Acquiring knowledge about the Deen is a major part of developing your child's Islamic character. Summer is a perfect time to join a reading club at your library or to practice newly acquired Arabic language skills from the previous school year. Also, why not create a Qur'an memorization competition in your home? Each child can agree to memorize a set number of Surah over the summer. Each memorized Surah then could be rewarded with a special treat agreed upon by the parents and the child.

Enroll in Classes 
The additional time freed by turning off the television lends itself for the perfect opportunity for your child to explore new interests and skills. Enroll your child in special interests classes such as swimming, archery, cooking, sewing, etc. Better yet, organize one within your local community so that other Muslim families benefit from the activity. Another advantage of creating your own youth classes within your community is that this avoids the non-Islamic practices such as mixing of the sexes and other negative influences.

Get to Know Your Family Better 
Also create time for families to engage in activities together as a family. What better way to develop meaningful relationships with your children than participating in fun family-oriented activities together! Furthermore, close family ties and good communication between children and parents is a major factor for children developing the skills necessary to resist the un-Islamic influences in Western society.

In actuality getting rid of the television is an advantage for the Muslim family not a hindrance. Insha'Allah, families will discover with the increased time away from the television that the extra time can be utilized for socializing with other Muslims, increasing their knowledge of the Deen, activities that benefit the community.