Honour - Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

[amaturrahmaan]

Bismihi Ta'ala

 

Allah Ta’ala has mentioned in the Qur`aan Shareef, in Surah Munafiqoon:

 

“But Honour belongs to Allah, His Messenger and the Believers...”

[surah Munafiqoon  63 : 8]

and

 

 ‘…To those who take for friends Unbelievers rather than Believers: Is it honour they seek among them ? Nay, -  All honour is with Allah.’

[surah An-Nisaa 4 : 139]

 

 

Recently, a brother expressed deep admiration and lauded praises upon a world-renowned celebrity. I brought it to his attention and explained that it is not appropriate for us, as Muslims, to exalt and revere those who are non-Muslims, those who have rejected Allah Ta’ala.

 

 

Sadly, this is a weakness common to most of the Muslims today – who are swept away by glamour, name, fame, power, sporting excellence, etc. Often we hear Muslims glorifying actors, actresses, sportsmen and sportswomen, politicians and others. There is even a term which has been coined : Hero-worship.

 

 

Let us understand Islam’s view on this matter:

 

 

Allah Ta’ala sometimes gives those Kuffaar (disbelievers) and Fussaaq (evil doers) who are famous – whether actors, actresses, musicians, models, politicians, sport stars, etc. – their name, fame, popularity, wealth and worldly power as a reward for some good deeds done.  There are so many of them who publicize their contributions to charitable causes, their voluntary and humanitarian work, their adoption of children from war-torn countries, their efforts to save the planet, save endangered species, and so forth.

 

 

Recompense of good deeds will be given in this world only, to those who are non-believers[1]. In the Hereafter there awaits eternal punishment for those who commit the great crime, the high treason, of rejecting belief in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) and they die in that condition.

 

 

Mullah ‘Ali Qaari (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih)[2] states that that Muslim who respects and honours those who haveKufr and Shirk in their hearts, is in grave danger of losing his Imaan; of becoming a Murtadd (apostate) ... because this Azmat (respect / honour) is for someone who has no Azmat for Allah Ta’ala.

 

 

Reflect on this statement of a great Scholar: The person who respects and honours those who have Kufr andShirk in their hearts, is in grave danger of losing his Imaan.

 

 

It is a fact that people have died in such conditions – uttering the names of their heroes and not having the ability to even take the name of Allah Ta’ala, or read the Kalima, or utter words of Taubah (repentance) - due to their veneration and ‘hero-worship’ of someone who stands as a rebel to Allah Ta’ala.

 

 

We should reflect over our obsession, reverence and craze – or that of our children’s - of film-stars, sport-stars and others who have rejected belief in Allah Ta’ala. Sometimes, there are posters of such celebrities in our homes, their photographs on cell-phones, there is huge amounts of money spent to meet them, to take a picture with them, to get a signature from them. Fans dress like them, cut their hair like theirs, and try to emulate them in everything they do. Our daughters go crazy over these sportsmen and actors – Na uzu Billah.

 

 

Consider the consequence of our behaviour in the light of the teachings of Mullah ‘Ali Qaari (Rahmatullahi ‘alaih), who was a great Muhaddith of his time. …A warning has been sounded, directing us to make sincere Taubah.

 

 

Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Shareef :

 

‘O people of Imaan! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as friends, inclining towards them with love. Verily, they have rejected the Truth which has come to you (from your Rabb)…’

[surah Mumtahina 60 : 1]

 

 

Have we not witnessed enough enmity in Bosnia, Kosova, Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world? Those who were considered friends and companions were the first to assault, kill, maim and even rape our Muslim brothers and sisters, for no other reason than that they were and are Believers in Allah Ta’ala. …Have we not still taken any lesson?

 

 

Are we so blind in recognizing our enemies? Signs of enmity and hatred are manifest at every turn.

 

 

Allah Ta’ala, in His Kindness for us, has made this known to us so that we can adopt measures of protection. Forewarned is forearmed.  …But no, we do not want to take understanding.

 

 

“O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.” 

[surah Aal-Imraan : 3 : 118]

 

 

When it comes to business, one’s neighbours and other related matters, it is permissible to have outward respect for such persons, but there must be no reverence and love in the heart.[3]

 

 

When we claim to have love for Allah Ta’ala, how then can we love those who have rejected Him?

 

 

 

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

 

 

 

[1] Non-Believers : Those who do not believe in Allah Ta’ala and His Final Messenger Muhammad (SallAllaahu 'alayhi wasallam).

 

[2]  Mullah Ali Qaari (Rahmatullahi ‘Alaih) was a great and learned Muhaddith who is the author of ‘Mirqaat’, which is the commentary of the famous Hadith Kitaab, ‘Mishkaat’ He is buried in Jannatul Mu`allah, Makkah Mukarramah.

 

[3] Hazrat Mufti Shafi Saheb (RA) had given a detailed explanation regarding Muslim – Non-Muslim relations which clarifies the issue very effectively.