Three Levels of Evil

[ummtaalib]

Moosa bin Abi ‘Isa (rahimahullah) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!), when your youth will sin openly, and your womenfolk will transgress (the limits of the sharee‘ah)?” (Hearing this,) the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) exclaimed, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Will that actually transpire (i.e. will such dire times actually dawn upon the Ummah)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, and even worse (will occur)!”

 

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will not command with righteousness and forbid from evil?” (Hearing this,) the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) exclaimed, “Will that actually transpire (i.e. will this Ummah ever reach such a pitiable state)?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, and even worse (will occur)!”

 

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “What will be your condition (O Ummah!) when you will regard evil to be good, and good to be evil?” [Al-Zuhd libnil Mubaarak #1376]

 

In the hadeeth above, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) forewarned the Ummah of three levels of evil that will face them close to Qiyaamah.

 

The first level of evil is where the youth of the Ummah will begin to sin openly, and the womenfolk of the Ummah will transgress all bounds of the sharee‘ah. This is undoubtedly apparent at present, as we see many Muslim youth, on a daily basis, committing sins openly and brazenly, without any qualms, such as driving around while blasting music from their vehicles, dating openly, etc.

 

Similarly, the condition of the Muslim women of the Ummah has deteriorated drastically with the degradation of hayaa and modesty. Hence, many Muslim women feel no shame in casually interacting and communicating with non-mahram men, and leaving the home while dressed attractively with their faces and hair open.

The second level of evil is where people will neglect commanding with good and forbidding from evil. Unfortunately, this has also become rife and apparent. For example, many parents are aware that their sons and daughters are dating and are involved in zina, yet they turn a blind eye. Similarly, many people will not wish to correct and advise the next person as they will fear that their relationship with that person may be spoiled. Hence, many people will neglect their Deeni obligation in favour of preserving their friendships and relationships with people.

 

The third level of evil is where people will begin to regard good as evil, and evil as good. Most lamentably, this evil is also clear in today’s times. When those who have love for Deen in their hearts fulfil their Deeni obligation of commanding with righteousness and forbidding from evil, then others criticize them, speak against them and accuse them of being intolerant and unaccommodating. When pious women wish to observe purdah and refrain from attending mixed functions, then they are criticized for ‘breaking family ties’. These are just two examples of the good being viewed as the evil.

 

However, equally dangerous is where evil is viewed as good. Hence, we find that while people would previously acknowledge that dating and premarital relationships are haraam, and if any person was involved in such a relationship, he would not justify it – yet nowadays people actively encourage it! There are even certain parents who insist that the boy and girl must meet and date before marriage in order to ‘get to know each other’ (innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji‘oon).

 

Similar to this is the case of LGBTQ+ relationships. While this filthy concept has always been haraam in Islam and always disgusted Muslims – it is only now that certain "Muslims" are claiming that they have the right to indulge in this filth, and they demand that they must be accommodated, accepted and supported for ‘what they are’.

 

Therefore, the time has come where evil is no longer viewed as evil, and good is no longer viewed as good.

 

This is one of the most dangerous of evils of all, as regarding halaal to be haraam and haraam to be halaal can cause a person to lose their imaan and leave the fold of Islam. Even in the case where a person does not lose their imaan, they will never engage in taubah and repent on account of them not regarding the wrong to be evil. As a result, they will have to face the severe consequences for their actions in the Hereafter.

 

We beg Allah Ta‘ala to safeguard us and our progenies from these evils, Aameen.

 

Uswatul Muslimah