Question
Could you please give me direction on the under mentioned. The Jamiatul Ulama (Johannesburg and Lenasia), Radio Islam, Crescent of Hope, Lenasia Muslim Association and several other Muslim organisations regularly advertise their events, drives and other activities in the Rising Sun. The Rising Sun sponsors an annual horse-race meeting in Clairwood. It is believed that revenue from advertising is used for the sponsorship, which means that some fraction of the organisations' payments goes towards the race. Is this not aiding and abetting gambling? If so, what is the Islamic perspective on such actions? Also, these organisations also advertise in another newspaper which promotes urs and such activities. What is the Islamic viewpoint on this? There are several other Muslim-owned community newspapers which do not promote any of the above activities. Is it not better for these Muslim organisations to support their Muslim brothers and sisters? As a regular contributor (Qurbani, old clothes, cash and in kind) I have stopped supporting these organisations and I am encouraging my friends and relatives to do the same. Your response would be appreciated.
Answer
Every layman Muslim, in fact even an ignoramus Muslim who understands the basics of Islam, knows that aiding and abetting sin is haraam. The Qur'aan Majeed says: "Do not aid sin and transgression." It is Islamically unacceptable in particular for organizations dubbing themselves 'Ulama', to advertise in the type of haraam papers you have mentioned.
We are living in an era near to Qiyaamah, and among the Signs of Qiyaamah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) mentioned that the sheikhs and molvis will be the worst scum under the canopy of the sky. They lack even an iota of fear and shame, hence they are able to so brazenly and blatantly violate Allah's commands.
You have acted correctly by terminating your contributions to these shaitaani bodies which shamelessly promote and indulge in fisq and fujoor. These evil developments by the ulama-e-soo' must be expected in this age. Evil by such 'ulama' who are in fact juhala, is on the increase. It is not permissible to contribute funds to those who flagrantly trample on the Laws of Allah Ta'ala, cancelling the divine prohibitions left, right and centre.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 23 No 11
- PDF page
- 3
Appears under THE FISQ OF THE ULAMA (approximate).