Honour
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)
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 : 6]
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 have Kufr 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 and Shirk 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.”
“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
respect 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?
[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.