Is Adhaan ‘noise pollution’?
Question:-
Kindly clear the misconception with regard to Adhaan being Noise Pollution. والعياذ بالله
Also, is there anything such as animal cruelty in Islam? Please clear this misconception too.
Answer:-
1. There isn’t anyone in the heavens, or the earth, more merciful than the Being of Allah Ta’ala. Large portions of the world reject Allah Ta’ala and some even deny the existence of Allah Ta’ala, yet He continuously showers His kindness and favours upon His entire creation. How many Muslims blatantly disregard His commands and openly disobey Him, yet He continues favouring them as well.
The messenger of Allah Ta’ala, Nabi Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, was sent as a mercy unto mankind. Hence, the Deen of Islam is a Deen of mercy and compassion. Rasulullah Salallahu Alahi Wasallam is reported to have said, “A true Muslim is he who other Muslims are protected from his tongue and hands.” [Muslim] The Hadith discusses ‘Muslims’, as we generally interact with Muslims in our day to day lives. However, this in no way means that we are permitted to harm non-Muslims. We are not even permitted to cause inconvenience to animals. Similarly, we are taught to protect the environment by not polluting rivers, streams, roads, public places etc. We have been prohibited from defecating under fruit-bearing trees as people take rest in the shade of such trees on a hot day. We are encouraged to assist the poor and needy, take care of the widows and orphans, respect the seniors and shower mercy to the juniors.
The above is a clear indication that Muslims throughout the world are kind, peaceful, loving, affectionate people that do not harm any creation whether humans, animals or the environment, as these are the teachings of our religion. When the very foundation and basis of our religion is to bring comfort and happiness to others, is it then possible that we cause inconvenience to others through our acts of worship? Obviously not!
The Adhaan is a Dawat and invitation towards the Oneness and Greatness of Allah Ta’ala, the Risaalat of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam (that Muhammad peace be upon him is a true messenger of Allah) and towards the performance of Salaah. Can such a great and important message ever be considered as noise pollution? Can a call which barely lasts 3-4 minutes be considered as noise pollution? Before elections, all political parties drive around announcing their political pleas and agendas for hours, yet no one raises any objection. Almost all shopping centres play music and some even host musical concerts and celebrations causing unlimited disturbance to the extent that shoppers have difficulty hearing people right next to them. During the festive season, Christmas songs are blasted in the shopping centres, parks, beaches, business areas, residential areas, and the list goes on. There is no celebration without lighting fireworks which causes a great deal of inconvenience to not only human beings, but even the animals, hence, the SPCA issues notices during these periods to be considerate of the animals. In the previous times, the musical bands would parade through the towns and the spectators would actually congratulate them even though such a huge disturbance is caused. How many night clubs, raves and brothels blast music into the early hours of the morning, causing sleepless nights to innumerable people! These are undoubtedly acts that cause inconvenience to others which is actually noise pollution, yet the world is okay with it and hardly anyone objects to it.
Noise pollution refers to:
“Any sound which disturbs or impairs or may disturb or impair the convenience or peace of any person”
The above acts of disturbance perfectly fit under the above definition which has been coined by the governments, whereas real noise pollution is ignored and a call to prayer is incorrectly and unjustly categorised as ‘noise.’ The Hadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam states that Qiyaamah will not take place as long as the name of Allah is being taken on the surface of the earth. It is the name of Allah and His greatness that is repeated in the Adhaan.
“لا تقوم الساعة حتى يقال في الأرض الله: الله” رواه مسلم
The Quraan states that the hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Yet the enemies of Islam refer to the exalted name of Allah as ‘noise.’
الا بذكر الله تطمئنّ القلوب (سورة الرعد)
In fact, there have been incidents of people accepting Islam by listening to the call towards Salaah. Perhaps this is the reason that the enemies of Islam are objecting to the Adhaan. They fear the spread of Islam throughout the world, and it is because of such fear that they are continuously plotting and planning to restrict the spread of Islam, but unfortunately the matter doesn’t lie in their hands. Allah Ta’ala states, “They (the Kuffar) intend to extinguish Allah’s light (Islam) with their mouths (by using the resources at their disposal, all of which are insignificant when compared to Allah’s might). However, Allah shall bring His light to completion (so that it enters every home on earth) even though the Kaafiroon hate it.” [Re:- Surah Saff, Verse 8]
In a little locality of the KZN region, the Adhaan was banned in the last year as one non-Muslim resident stated that it was causing disturbance to him. The local residents of the area who were non-Muslims as well, protested against the ban stating that the Muslims should be granted the freedom to call out the Adhaan. Would they have stood up in favour of the Muslims if the Adhaan was really ‘noise pollution’? In conclusion, the objection against the Adhaan has absolutely nothing to do with the Adhaan, rather it is an objection against the spread of Islam in the world.
2. We have already indicated towards this is #1. We Muslims are not permitted to cause any inconvenience to animals. The Hadith makes mention of an evil woman that was forgiven and entered into Jannah on account of providing water for a thirsty dog.
We are taught to ensure that the knife is sharp before slaughtering the animal so that the animal is slaughtered as quickly as possible without causing any form of inconvenience to the animal. Similarly, an animal should not be slaughtered in sight of other animals rather the slaughtering should take place in a concealed area. Such importance has been attached to being considerate of animals in our Deen.
Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Beware of making the backs of your animals pulpits, for verily Allah Ta’ala has subdued it for you, so that you reach your town which you were unable to reach except with difficulty.” In other words, if one is not riding the animal, he shouldn’t remain sitting on the animal unnecessarily and thereby inconvenience the animal.
أخرج ابن مردويه والبيهقي في شعب الإيمان عن أبي هريرة عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إياكم أن تتخذوا ظهور دوابكم منابر فإن الله تعالى إنما سخرها لكم لتبلغوا إلى بلد لم تكونوا بالغيه إلا بشق الأنفس (الدر المنثور ص111 ج5)
These are just a few narrations which we have quoted above in regards to not inconveniencing animals. Our Deen promotes and advocates expressing mercy and kindness to every creation whether animals, humans, insects etc.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 20 Shabaan 1443 / 23 March 2022