(Number 166010) What do the respected Muftiyaan say regarding those individuals who are involved in refuting the firqah baatilah (deviated sects, e.g.

Answer

In the name of ALLAAH, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful In Islam videography and pictography of humans or any

living

being

are

haraam (prohibited/impermissible),

along

with

being accursed (mal-oon). The Ahaadeeth are replete with severe warnings for pictography. For details please refer to the work of Mufti Shafee' (rahmatullaahi 'alaih) titled "Tasweer ke Shar'i Ahkaam".

Accordingly, in the light of the Fataawaa and explanations of the Akaabir (Senior) 'Ulamaa of Deoband, the ruling of digital pictures is the same as that of hand-drawn pictures i.e. The Nusoos of the Sharee'ah include both kind of pictures. The Ahlul-ilm (Ulama) are duty-bound to discharge the obligation of Tableegh of the Deen only within the confines and

boundaries of the Sharee'ah, not beyond that. In other words for the Tableegh of the Deen the Ahlul-ilm (Ulama) are obliged to use only such methods and ways which are lawful and permissible. The Ahlul-ilm are in executing their obligation of Tableegh are not obliged to utilize any unlawful and sinful ways. Moreover it is not at all permissible to propagate the Deen by means of unlawful and impermissible ways and

methods

because

transgressing (violating/breaking) the laws of the Deen it will be the propagation of something other than the Deen. (It will be the propagation of transgression and sin which will bring in its wake deviation thus inviting Divine Wrath – Translator). Likewise the ways of spreading Islam and the ways of spreading kufr (disbelief) and dhalaal (deviation) differ, hence the use of impermissible methods is in complete contradiction of the teachings, ethos and spirit of Islam. It is for this reason that every Jamaa'at (Group) of Ahlul-Haqq since the very first era (of Islam) abstained from using any impermissible (unlawful) ways for the Tableegh of the Deen.

Hence utilising the means of pictography and videography of humans or any living beings for the Tableegh of the Deen will not be permissible. And ALLAH Ta'aala knows best. (Translated from Urdu)

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed:

"The life of this world is nothing but play and amusement while the Abode of the Aakhirat is best for those who have fear (for Allah).

What! Have you no intelligence (to understand this reality)?"

"This dunya is a home for one who has no home (i.e. in the Aakhirat), and it (the dunya) is wealth for one who has no wealth (in the Aakhirat). He who accumulates wealth for the sake of the dunya has no intelligence."

"Verily, the dunya has been created for you, but you have been created for the Aakhirat." (Therefore, do not become engrossed in worldly pursuits).

Our life originated in Jannat where Allah Ta'ala had created our ancestors, Hadhrat Aadam (Alayhis salaam) and Hadhrat Hawwa (Alayhas salaam). Then Allah's Wisdom demanded that we be sent to earth for a short while. This extremely brief time of worldly life has no relationship with the everlasting life of billions and trillions of years, which Allah Ta'ala has promised us.

We have not been created for this dunya. This world is a temporary halt or a station in our onward journey into the Aakhirat. From the dunya we have to traverse the dangerous valleys of Maut, Barzakh and Qiyaamah.

Only then will we know where our destination is – Jannat or Jahannam.

Allah Ta'ala has granted us this brief worldly life to prepare ourselves for His Meeting and for our everlasting happiness and pleasure in Jannat. True Pleasure and Happiness cannot be found in this dunya. Those who believe that wealth and power can grant them happiness will always be disillusioned in this world. It is the Mu'min's obligation to be alert, not to forget the objective for which he/she is in this dunya, and to strive to gain Allah's Pleasure in order to gain the everlasting happiness of Jannat promised to us by Allah Ta'ala.

This earthly life will soon come to an end, and for most people the end (Maut) is abrupt and harsh. It will be a time of regret but regret will be of no benefit. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the most intelligent person is the one who makes preparations for the Sojourn of Barzakh – the life commencing from Maut. In a nut shell, this preparation is Taa-at or obedience to Allah Ta'ala. This Taa-at has two fundamentals: (1) Ibaadat, and (2) Abstention from sin.

It is of utmost importance to resolutely implement these two fundamentals. In addition to observance of the Fardh and Waajib acts of Ibaadat, increase Nafl Ibaadat. The Faraaidh will not suffice for immediate

entry into Jannat. Observance of Mustahab and Nafl acts is of utmost importance.

Then, abstention from sin and futility is of even greater importance than Nafl ibaadat. We are engulfed by fitnah, evil and sin. Most people have practically destroyed their Imaan with internet and television vice. Maut comes suddenly without warning. It does not behove the Muslim to squander life in sin and disobedience, then regret when it is too late.

To assist one in Taa-at, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) prescribed two important acts: (1) Constant Thikrullaah, and (2) Remembering Maut abundantly. Regarding constant Thikrullaah, our Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Your tongue should remain everfresh with the Thikr of Allah." Thus, it is necessary to keep the Name of Allah Ta'ala constantly on the tongue while walking, sitting, working and in all walks of life. For this purpose the best form of Thikr is Laa ilaha ill al laah.

Regarding Maut, Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Remember much the entity which will sever (all worldly) delights, i.e. Maut." Never forget that Maut is stalking us and according to the Hadith the Qabar calls us with reminders such as: "I am an abode of darkness; an abode of solitude; an abode of worms; an abode of torment, etc."

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has also prescribed Muraaqabah (Meditation) for our moral reformation and for bringing us close to Allah Ta'ala. It is necessary to be in solitude for a few minutes every night and to meditate on Death – the pangs of death, then the assignment into the grave. This meditation should be a nightly exercise for a few minutes. Even whilst lying in bed before sleeping, meditate on this reality. It will then create in the mind a vivid perception of the futility of the worldly shadows we are pursuing, and the reality of the Aakhirat. Muraaqabah will strengthen the bond with Allah Ta'ala, and abstention from sin will then not be a struggle. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Majeed: "Those who strive in Our (obedience), We shall most certainly guide them along Our ways."

Imaam Abul Qaasim Abdul Kareem Bin Hawzaan Qushairi (rahmatullah alayh) – died 465 Hijri – was among the very senior Auliya of his age. Once his son became so ill that all hope of him living vanished. During that time Hadhrat Abul Qaasim saw Allah Ta'ala in a dream. In his dream he mentioned to Allah Ta'ala about his son's severe illness. Allah Ta'ala advised him to accumulate from the Qur'aan Majeed the Aayaat of Shifa (the Verses of Cure).

These aayaat had to be recited and blown on the ailing son. In the dream he was also instructed to write these verses on a plate, wash it and give the water to his son to drink. Imaam Abul Qaasim adopted this remedy and very soon his son completely recovered from his sickness.

Allaamah Subki (rahmatullah alayh) narrates that he had seen many Mashaa-ikh prescribing these verses as instructed, for the sick.

(Anyone interested in this divinely prescribed remedy, may write to The Majlis, PO Box 3393, Port Elizabeth,

South

Africa

Email: [email protected])