Leading A Modern Lifestyle
QUESTION:
Is it permissible to lead a modern lifestyle because one’s spouse is desirous of such a life, for example, going on holiday or visiting shopping malls, eating out at restaurants etc.?
ANSWER:
The answer to this important question is found in the following Hadith of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam:
عن عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ، مَا النَّجَاةُ؟ قَالَ: “أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ لِسَانَكَ، وَلْيَسَعْكَ بَيْتُكَ، وَابْكِ عَلَى خَطِيئَتِكَ”
(رواه الترمذي والبيهقي)
Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Aamir Radiallahu Anhu reports: “I asked, O Messenger of Allah, what is the path to salvation?” Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam answered, “Keep your tongue under control, let your home be sufficient for you, and weep over your sins.”
This profound advice seems particularly applicable in our times. Today, it is rare to find a place on earth that is free from sin and immorality. Leaving one’s home to roam the world without a clear, noble objective, such as seeking knowledge, engaging in Da’wah, or fulfilling obligations like Hajj, poses a real risk of falling into various forms of wrongdoing. In contrast, staying within the safety of one’s home offers a degree of spiritual protection.
Even those engaged in religious activities and services often express how spiritually depleted they feel after a short family outing to the beach. If that is the case, then how much more severe must the spiritual harm be for someone who travels from country to country for weeks at a time, with the sole purpose of enjoying themselves? The temptations at airports, on airplanes, in hotels, malls, and at social events like weddings are immense. Women may discard their Purdah, and men often dress in revealing, casual clothes, perhaps due to a reluctance to be identified as Muslim. Dining in non-Muslim restaurants becomes common, justified by claims like “We’re only eating fish,” despite such establishments often serving alcohol and other forbidden items. Salaah is neglected while touring, and sadly, we no longer sense any change in our spiritual state. We’ve become so immersed in darkness that even the motivation to do good has diminished.
Maulana Ilyaas Rahimahullah once said: “Whenever I travel to Mewat, I do so in the company of pious individuals and those who engage in Zikr. Still, merely interacting with people causes such a shift in the heart that unless I engage in I’tikaaf for a few days or join the blessed gatherings in Raaipur and Saharanpur (gatherings of the righteous), my heart doesn’t regain its original purity.”
He also used to advise: “Those who are involved in Deeni activities and go out for visits and preaching should counter the spiritual effects of such exposure by engaging in abundant Zikr of Allah.” (Malfoozaat of Maulana Ilyaas Khandelwi (Rahimahullah), Page 65, Malfooz no. 311)
If even righteous individuals like Hadrat Maulana needed to purify their hearts after spending time in religious efforts, then what can be said about those who spend time in environments of open sin?! This is not to mention the large amounts of money spent on these trips and the unnecessary shopping done to impress others.
Therefore, based on the above reflections, it is strongly recommended to avoid travel for leisure. Rather, we should direct our time, money, and energy toward helping the many individuals who are struggling to meet their basic needs. And, if for some reason, we need to go out to refresh our minds a little, we should make sure to go to such a place where we are one hundred percent sure that no vice will be taking place there. (Paraphrased from Darul Ifta Archives)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdur Rahman Abdur Razak
Date: 04 Dhul Qa’dah 1446 / 03 May 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb