Going on holiday
Question:-
We are going on a holiday. What should we keep in mind? Should we go out on a holiday, or not?
Answer:-
Holidays and vacations are a western concept and in no way affiliated with our Deen. We have never heard of the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam, Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum, pious predecessors, righteous Ulama etc. taking holidays and vacations. Yes, taking a rest when one is tired is perfectly in order but it doesn’t mean that a rest can only be taken at a resort or a hotel, where every form of sin is openly committed particularly in this day and age. We rest in the same beds (where illicit relationships have taken place), cook our Halaal food in the same utensils utilized by the disbelievers to cook their meals, swim in the same pools wherein impure people have been swimming, inhale the Haraam meat that is being braaied by them, glance at their women who are nudely dressed etc. How can there ever be goodness and blessings in such places? In fact, one feels lazy to perform his five daily Salaah in such an environment and the Sunnah dressing is also discarded. The desire to sin is ignited within the heart. How many females remove their Purdah whilst on holiday, and how many males walk around in shorts or Bermudas as if they are exempted from abiding to the laws of Shariah whilst on vacation? This is a clear indication that these places are void of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala and rather, the curse of Allah Ta’ala descend on such places.
We spend thousands of Rands with joy and pleasure on these vacations, whereas we are displeasing Almighty Allah almost all the time. How many people are unable to contribute towards their children’s Islamic education, or contribute towards the running expenses of their local Masjid, or find it difficult to discharge their Zakaat, yet they find unlimited funds to spend freely on 5-star resorts and impermissible entertainment.
In one narration Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam states, “Your home should suffice you.” Hence, the best break or rest is achieved within the confines of one’s home where all the means of comfort are at one’s disposal. If one must travel (due to necessity), then one should reside with some Muslim relative or family, as the mercy of Allah Ta’ala descends upon that home wherein the name of Allah is taken, either because of recitation of Quraan Sharif, Zikrullah, performance of Salaah etc. The home of every believer should be a hotel where travellers may reside during their travel. It had been the practice of the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam, and particularly, Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam, to go out of his way and find a guest, but unfortunately this Sunnah has left the Ummah. Thus our advice would be to try and abstain from vacations at such resorts and hotels that will destroy our spirituality and Imaan. May Allah Ta’ala bless us with the understanding.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 12 Safar 1444 / 09 September 2022