RIS convention

Question:-

A number of prominent Deoband-affiliated scholars from the UK and elsewhere, have announced through their respective social media platforms that they will be attending and speaking at the annual “RIS Convention 2022” in Canada over the coming days.

We have also been made aware of a promotional video that has been circulated by the organisers, which has clear music with Haraam instruments in the background, along with videos of the mixed audience (including shots of non mahram women crying!) from previous years.

Please can you confirm whether it is permissible to attend such functions and whether we can still listen to speakers who are in attendance.

Answer:-

As Muslims, we are required to obey the commands of Allah Ta’ala in every moment of our life. It is not permissible to attend any gathering where the laws of Allah Ta’ala are openly violated. We understand from your query that photos will be taken at the convention, there will be intermingling with the opposite gender, males and females will be seated together, music will be played and females will be openly addressing both males and females. These are all activities that are totally prohibited in the Shariah, even though the event will be hosted in the name of Islam.

Hadrat Abdullah bin Masood Radiallahu Anhu was once invited to a Walimah. When he was about to enter the gathering, he heard music being played. He did not attend the function and instead, returned home. When he was asked the reason for not attending, he responded by saying, “Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, Whoever increases the number of a nation will be counted amongst them, and whoever is pleased with the action of any group of people, then he will be a partner to their actions.” [1]

Ibn Sireen Rahimahullah mentions, “Verily this knowledge is Deen, hence you should see from whom you take your Deen.” Deen is acquired from people that live their lives in accordance to the Shariah by following every command of Allah Ta’ala and abstaining from the prohibitions of the Shariah. When the speakers are far from the reality of Deen themselves, then how will their talks have an impact on the audience? If a person with Taqwa addresses the audience, then Taqwa will spread amongst the listeners, and, on the contrary, if a person void of Taqwa addresses the audience, then darkness will spread, even though he may be discussing matters of Deen from reliable sources. The Taqwa of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam was of such a level that a single gaze of the Master Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam upon the Sahaabah made them guiding stars for the Ummah until the day of Qiyaamah.

In conclusion, we do not approve of such conventions, conferences and seminars wherein the laws of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam will be openly violated. We should benefit from the company and gatherings of such Mashaa’ikh and seniors who act upon Deen themselves and from whom we can acquire the reality of Deen.

عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، قَالَ: «إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ، فَانْظُرُوا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَ دِينَكُمْ (صحيح مسلم ص14 ج1)

[1] عن عمرو بن الحارث أن رجلا دعا عبد الله بن مسعود إلى وليمة فلما جاء ليدخل سمع لهوا فلم يدخل فقال ما لك رجعت قال إني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من كثر سواد قوم فهو منهم ومن رضي عمل قوم كان شريكا في عملهم

 مسند ابو يعلي

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 12 Jumadal Ukhra 1444 / 05 January 2023