Hosting large scale Islamic events like concerts

Jan 24, 2024 | Miscellaneous

QUESTION:

Some Islamic scholars organize large scale events. People here scream and shout the Takbeer. The audience comprises of both genders with separate seating arrangements. Alhough the purpose of the event is Islamic lectures and motivational talks, the ambience feels like a concert. These have been going viral since recent days.
What is the ruling on such events? Kindly please attach the references.

ANSWER:

Hadrat Maulana Saleem Dhorat Saheb Rahimahullah mentions, “When Hadrat Sheikh-ul-Hadith Hadrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Saheb Rahimahullah came to England for the very first time, I went to Darul Uloom Bury with my father and I stayed there as long as Hadrat remained at the Darul Uloom. When Hadrat came to England for the second time, I was a student studying at Darul Uloom. Thousands used to attend Hadrat’s Majlis. Now, Hadrat generally wouldn’t deliver lectures, and if he spoke then it was just a few words, no discourses, and no formalities in his talks. He would say a few words such as, “O my beloved ones! Be concerned of your Aakhirah! Hadrat would cry excessively. He would say, “O my beloved ones! You have to enter the grave and he would start crying.”

He further states that Hadrat was well over 80 years old at the time and in a wheelchair. The Khaadims (assistants) would lift him up and place him on the stage. Hadrat will then lower his head and engage in meditation without any movement for an hour, or an hour and fifteen minutes. In other words, he would be totally absorbed in the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. However, the effect of his company even in this condition was such that someone would be crying in the Majlis, someone would be screaming (in repentance), someone would be reciting the Kalimah Tayyibah. Such was the condition of the people that one wouldn’t even realize that an hour had passed. It was an amazing atmosphere. Fortunate are those eyes that were blessed to see Hadrat Sheikh Rahimahullah as one will remember Allah Ta’ala by seeing him.”

He was an embodiment of the Hadith which states that the friends of Allah are those when seen, then Allah Ta’ala is remembered. [Re:- Mawaaiz-e-Hasana Pg.366/367 Vol.1]               

By listening to lectures of Deen, one should be affected to the extent that one cries, repents, reforms, and lives a life of obedience of Allah Ta’ala. This is one of the objectives of a lecture. Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu used to stand weekly at the Mimbar of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and narrate Ahadith. [Mustadrak Pg.190 Vol.1] Hadrat Tameem Daari Radiallahu Anhu would narrate Ahadith every Jumuah before the Khutbah. [Re:- Musnad Ahmad Pg.449 Vol.3] Hence, there is no issue having a lecture or program if the objective is Islaah and reformation. However, if it is just entertainment or so, that the speaker has an opportunity to show his talent and the listeners scream the Takbeer and praise his manner of aerating, without people reforming and the heart been affected, then the real objective has been lost.

Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Saheb Rahimahullah has written that the following benefits should be achieved by listening to a lecture of Deen:

1. By listening to lectures the desire of Deen should strengthen.

2. The result of this desire will then benefit others.

3. Concern of correcting matters in the home should be created.

4. One should increase in knowledge by listening to a lecture and one’s Imaan should be strengthened.

5. By listening about Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam the desire of reforming should enter the heart. [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Pg.271 Vol.4]        

Ibn Sireen Rahimahullah mentions:

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

“Verily this knowledge is Deen, hence you should see from whom you take your Deen.”

 Deen should be 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 conventions, conferences or seminars, wherein the laws of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam are openly violated, or where the objective is nothing more than entertainment. We should benefit from the company and gatherings of such Mashaaikh and seniors who act upon Deen themselves and from whom the reality of Deen can be acquired even though these may be simple gatherings with just a few individuals. Finally, there is no need for females to leave the confines of their homes to attend lectures. When they are not permitted to leave their homes for the five daily Salaah, Jumuah Salaah and Eid Salaah due to the fear of Fitnah, how can they then be permitted to leave the home for lectures? Lectures of the righteous and pious are transmitted over Masjid transmitters, live-streaming, recordings are posted on websites, etc. thus there is no reason to leave the home.

 ويكره حضرورهن الجماعة ولو لجمعة وعيد ووعظ مطلقا ولو عجوزا ليلا على المذهب المفتى به لفساد الزمان —-(شامى ص566  ج1)

 

ولا يباح منهن الخروج الى الجماعات بدليل ما روى عن عمر رضى الله عنه انه نهى الشواب عن الخروج ولان خروجهن الى الجماعة سبب للفتنة والفتنة حرام وما ادى الى الحرام فهو حرام بدائع الصنائع ص157  ج1

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Ahmed Saeed

Date:- 12 Rajab 1445 / 24 January 2024

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb

Categories

× Join