SALAAT IS THE CENTRAL PILLAR OF THE DEEN UPHOLDING THE ENTIRE EDIFICE OF ISLAM
A Brother from Stanger exasperated by the merrymaking jalsah of senior Ulama – a jalsah which places Salaat in the background, making it subservient to their merrymaking supper, etc., writes:
ASSALAMU ALAIKUM: 11 Rajab 1444 Hijri – 2 February 2023
On the 4th of February 2023, WIFAQUL ULAMA S.A. will be having their jalsah labelled “signs of the hour” in the Stanger Jamia Masjid. There are huge crowds expected to attend, with a few senior ulama of South Africa giving the bayaanaat. (Attached poster for reference)
On the poster and masjid board, the times for Asr and Magrib salaah are specified, however there is no Esha Salaah time stated. A regular musallee of the masjid asked a trustee of the masjid who is involved in organising the jalsah as to what time is Esha. He was told after the lectures. He then stated that he doesn’t want to attend the lectures so he needs to know what time to come for Esha, because at the last “ulama legacy” program held in Stanger Jamia Masjid he came for Esha and was just waiting and waiting for Esha. He eventually went and read at home. He was told to find another venue for Esha.
This whole scenario just leaves a bitter after taste. What is more important? Lectures or Fardh salaah with jamaat? On top of that there will be meals served after the jalsah which is always a disaster. Defilement of the sanctity of the masjid will be the norm. Can’t these “senior ulama” see and understand all of this?
Any advice will be really appreciated. Jazakallah
(End of the Brother’s letter)
Our Comment
It is indeed sad that even senior Ulama today have failed to understand the significance and fundamental importance of Jamaat Salaat. The merrymaking jalsah shall be pushing the Isha’ Salaat into second fiddle.
The senior Ulama will indeed render a wonderful service to the Deen and to the revivication of the Sunnah if they understand the Israaf, fudhool and khuraafaat of these jalsahs. Different groups are vying with one another with their jasahs.
The emphasis of the Qur’aan and Sunnah is on Ikhfa’ (concealment) and khalwat (seclusion), not on self-expression and publicity. These evils are today the hallmarks of all groups – of the people of baatil as well as of those who proclaim to be aligned to the Haqq.
Their bayaans are a waste; their eating is a waste; the huge amount of money squandered is a waste; their sleeping is a waste, and their everything is a waste. In this era when the entire Ummah, worldwide is ablaze and burning with fisq, fujoor, kufr, poverty, suffering and kuffaar oppression, it is indeed sad and a poor commentary on the thinking of the senior Ulama who, despite being so close to Maut, still find pleasure in merrymaking jalsahs.
We lodge our complaint with Allah Azza Wa Jal.
12 Rajab 1444 – 3 February 2023