Imitation : 'Tashabbuh'
'Tashabbuh al-Khasis bi Ahli'l Khamis fi'r Radd at-Tashabbuh bi'l Mushrikin'
[The disgraceful imitation of the people [who celebrate] of al-khamis in refutation of imitating the polytheists]
The following Quranic verses & Ahadith have been taken from the following treatise:
[A commentary will follow in the main refutation of Mufti Sambhali]
'Tashabbuh al-Khasis bi Ahli'l Khamis fi'r Radd at-Tashabbuh bi'l Mushrikin'
[The disgraceful imitation of the people [who celebrate] of al-khamis in refutation of imitating the polytheists]
By
Muhammad bin Ahmad bin 'Uthman bin Qaymaz at-Turkamani adh-Dhahabi, Shams ud-Din, Abu 'Abd Allah
Allah, The Most Majestic & the Most Sublime, be pleased with him
[673H-748H]
The Hafiz al-Hadith: Hadith Master, the 'allamah: great scholar, the M'uarrikh: historian & Muhaqqiq: researching scholar.
Amongst his teachers, both male & female, were:
Ibn Daqiq al-'iyd
Ibrahim at-Tabari
'Umar bin al-'Abbas
Abu al-Hajjaj al-Mizzi
'Alamu ad-Din al-Barzali
Ibn Taymiyyah [Imam Dhahabi did not defend Ibn Taymiyyah's heresies]
Khadijah bint Yusuf
Zaynab bint Ahmad
Fatimah bint Ibrahim
Imam al-Hafiz Ibn al-Hajr al-'Asqalani would drink the Zamzam with the intention of attaining the rank of adh-Dhahabi in knowledge. Among his students include:
Imam Taj ud-Din Taqi ud-Din as-Subki [He refuted Ibn Taymiyyah on the issue of intentionally travelling to visit the Final Messenger, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, & his other heresies]
Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Maqdisi
Ahmad bin Muhammad al-Ala'iy
Ibn al-Kathir
He was the author of invaluable works exceeding two hundred, which remain till today a source of research & reference.
The Noble Messenger, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, warned us of that which has occurred when he said:
''You will surely follow the ways of those who come before you, in exactly the same fashion, to the point that were they to enter the hole of a lizard, you too would enter it.'' It was asked of him:
''O Messenger of Allah! [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam]. Do you mean the Jews & Christians?''
He replied, ''who else!'' [Sahih Bukhari]
The Prophet [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''man tashabbaha bi qawmin fa huwa minhum'' ''Whoever imitates a people is of them.''
The Messenger of Allah, [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''The Jews are those who have anger upon them & the Christians are those who have strayed.'' [Tirmidhi, Ahmad & Ibn Hibban]
Allah [The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime] has obligated upon you, O Muslim, to supplicate to Him, the Exalted, each day & night, seventeen times, asking Him for guidance to the Straight Path, the path of those whom He favoured, not of those who have anger upon them nor of the misguided.
If it was said to you, 'imitate an object of ridicule, a laughing stock', you would surely scorn this & be angry. How is it then that you imitate the uncircumcised worshipper of the cross in his celebrations ['eid]? How is it that you dress your children with new clothes & inculcate a sense of joy in them? How is it that you decorate eggs for them, buy incense [bukhur] & celebrate the festival of your enemy in the same fashion as you would celebrate the 'eid [legislated by] your Prophet [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam]?
Where would such a practice take you except to the anger of Allah [The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime] & His displeasure? Provided He does not forgive you & provided that you know [have knowledge] that your Prophet, Muhammad [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] would encourage differing from the People of the Book in everything that was specific to them.
Consider white hairs about which the Prophet, [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Whoever [lives to see] a single white hair [on him] in Islam, it will be a light for him on the Day of Judgement.'' [at-Tirmidhi]
Despite which he commanded us to dye them another colour, [besides black] in order to differ from them, saying:
''Indeed, the Jews do not dye their hair, so differ from them.'' [Sahih Bukhari]
He [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] obligated us to differ from them in many matters, from those matters that were specific to them such as:
''If any one of you has two garments then let him pray in them, if he only has one garment then let him tie it firmly like an izar [cloth wrapped round the waist] & not let it hang off the shoulder as the Jews do.'' [Ma'alim as-Sunan]
The Prophet [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Differ from the polytheists… [Sahih Bukhari, Muslim & Bayhaqi]
''The difference between our fasting & the fasting of the People of the Book is the partaking of the suhur [pre-dawn meal].'' [Sahih Muslim, Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]
A group of the Salaf [as-Salihin] such as Mujahid explained the saying of Allah, the Exalted,
''Those who do not witness falsehood…'' [al-Qur'an 25:72]
To mean witnessing the celebrations of the polytheists. [ad-Durr al-Manthur & Ibn as-Sirin, ar-Rabi'bin Anas & ad-Dahhak]
The Messenger of Allah [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''When people see the evil & do not make efforts in changing it, soon will Allah cover them all with a punishment from himself.'' [at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah & Abu Dawud]
''There is not a single nation amongst whom a sin is committed & they are stronger & more capable [of preventing it] than the one committing it, then they do not change it, except that Allah would cover them with a punishment from him.'' [Ahmad, Abu Dawud & Ibn Majah]
The Messenger of Allah [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Whoever imitates a people is of them.'' [Ahmad & Abu Dawud]
Now, if someone were to say: but we do not intend to resemble them! It would be said in reply: The very action of agreeing with them & participating with them in their festive seasons & celebrations is prohibited. The evidence for this is what is established in the authentic hadith from the Messenger of Allah [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] that he:
''Prohibited prayer at the time of sunrise & sunset.'' [Sahihayn]
He [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Indeed, it rises between the two horns of satan & it is at that time that the disbelievers prostrate to it.'' [Sahih Muslim & Abu Dawud]
However the one who is praying does not intend this because were he to intend it he would become a disbeliever, rather the action itself of agreeing & participating is prohibited.
Shaytan has adorned these practices for many of the ignorant masses & the negligent scholars – even though they may be attributed to knowledge for such a persons knowledge becomes a cause of punishment for him as he [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''The severest of people punished on the Day of Judgement will be a scholar who Allah did not benefit through his knowledge.'' [Ibn Asakir & at-Tabarani]
It is reported from [sayyiduna Amir al-Mu'minin] 'Umar bin al-Khattab [Allah be well pleased with him] that he said:
''Do not learn the manner of speech of the Persians & do not enter the churches of the polytheists on the day of their festivals for indeed displeasure descends upon them.'' [Bayhaqi]
The noble master, Fudayl bin 'Ayad said:
'O My brother! Upon you is to follow the ways of guidance, even if those traversing them are few & to avoid the ways of misguidance even if those rushing to their destruction are many.'
Shaytan has deceived & embellished for many of the misguided sinners, their travelling to another land or city for the purpose of finding comfort with & aiding other misguided sinners & to increase their numbers. In a Hadith there occurs:
''Whoever increases the mass of a nation will be resurrected with them.'' [ad-Daylami]
Allah, the Mighty & Majestic says:
''O You who believe! Do not take the Jews & Christians as friends & protectors; they are only friends & protectors of each other. Whoever among you takes them as friends & protectors is surely one of them. Allah does not guide the wrong-doers.'' [al-Qur'an 5:51]
Allah [The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime] has praised those who do not witness the celebrations of the disbelievers & do not participate in them saying:
''Those who do not witness falsehood…'' [al-Qur'an 25:72]
The understanding of this verse is that those who do witness it & participate in it are blameworthy & hated because they have [purposefully] witnessed evil though they have no intention of preventing it. The Prophet [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Whoever among you sees an evil then let him change it with his hands, if he is unable then with his tongue & if he is unable then with his heart & that is the weakest of faith.''
[Sahih Muslim & Abu Dawud]
Allah, the Glorious & Exalted says in His Great Book:
''O You who believe! Save yourselves & your families from a fire…'' [al-Qur'an 66:6]
Meaning: teach them & bring them up correctly, enjoin them to the good & prohibit them from the evil so that you may be saved from the Fire.
It is reported from 'Abd Allah bin 'Amr [Allah be well pleased with them both] that he said:
'Whoever observes their New Year & other celebrations & imitates them until he dies in that state, without having repented, will be resurrected with them on the Day of Judgement.'
[Bayhaqi]
It is necessary that the Muslim seals this door from its roots & arouses distastes in his family & children from enacting anything of this. Goodness should be a matter of habit & avoiding innovation is a deed of worship.
My brother! How strong you would become if you oppose your base desires & how you would be led astray were you to obey your base desires, you would end up having none to blame but yourself. How sick you would become if you were not to drink your medicine. How much joy & bliss would you discover if the gardens of Paradise were your final abode? What a shameful religion is it of the one who follows the legislation of the pastors & rabbis? …….What a disgusting smell is the smell of their perfumes & incenses [used in their celebrations]!
Where are you heading, you old, feeble, evil soul? .……… Whoever fears Allah & exalts His sacred laws, then it is from the taqwa'of the hearts. O Turner of the hearts! Inspire us to follow the Sunnah of Your Prophet [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] & save us from innovation & imitating the disbelievers.
In the Sahihayn it is reported that the Messenger of Allah [salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said:
''Whoever introduces in this affair of ours that which is not part of it, it is rejected.''
''None of you believes until his very desires follow what I have brought.'' [Bayhaqi & Baghawi]
''I have left you upon a great white plain, its night is like its day, and none deviates from it except he who is destroyed.'' [Ibn Majah & Hakim]
Know now [that if you wish to try & rectify the situation] & enjoin the good & forbid the evil, you could deviate to the evil & your soul kindle [its base desires] & transgress, hence making the harm that you brought about greater than the good you sought. If you are with your close relatives, or those having position or authority & you attempt to enjoin good & forbid the evil upon the weak, ignorant one exempting the strong, knowledgeable one, you have committed an action of disobedience. If however you go against the desires of your soul & [enjoin the good & forbid the evil on all] you must be deliberate & forbearing.
It is necessary in all of this that you have sincerity [ikhlas]. Allah, the Exalted says:
''They had only been ordered to worship Allah, making the religion sincerely for Him, being devout & upright.'' [al-Qur'an 98:5]
''…severe against the disbelievers, merciful amongst themselves…'' [al-Qur'an 48:29]
Hudayfah [Allah be well pleased with him] said:
'Whoever imitates a people is of them. The outward attire of one does not resemble another except that eventually the morals & manners will resemble the others.'
Ibn Mas'ud [Allah be well pleased with him] said:
'The outward attire of one does not resemble the others except that eventually the heart resembles the others.'
So if imitating them in such a small thing leads to such harmful consequences, making this action prohibited, then what if you add to this the imitation of that which is pure disbelief? …or beliefs such as 'our God is one & the same'meaning that the object of worship is the same but the routes to Him are different.
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi'l 'aliyyil 'azim!
[There are also many causes of corruption which result from imitating them, from these are:
The Muslim children will be raised upon loving these festivals of disbelief due to what is prepared in them & their following their elders & the ''exchanging of pleasantries'' to attract them & referring to each faith as ''beautiful gardens'' & promoting kufr ideas like ''basic truths in various religions'' & referring to pagan celebrations as ''holy days'' & ideally seeking to congregate with pagans in ''religious places'' [of worship] like Mosques, Mandirs, Temples, etc. Shaytan will be extremely pleased with such activities & he'll cease the opportunity to weaken the faith of the general Muslims especially targeting the illiterate & ignorant among them by whispering evil in their hearts & establishing false notions & deluding them to believe what they are doing is acceptable, respectable & good for them & the country & that the ''nation [which is a kufr nation/government] is bigger than the individual'' & that this is the ''Unity of Minds'' which we all need to promote & help build a super power India, in the control of kufar economically & militarily, irrespective of them possibly using such powers against its Muslim neighbours & remaining a constant threat & tool for ruling & dictating terms against Muslims & their interests. Where were the government & its military force when Hindu fundamentalists/terrorists marched to Ayodhya to demolish the Babri Masjid? They had forewarned of their intention weeks before carrying out their extreme illegal act. The Imam of Ahl as-Sunnah w'al Jama'ah, ash-Shah Ahmad Rida Khan, Allah be pleased with him, referred to Hindu's as Muharib b'il f'il, Zalimin & Qatilin: actively warring [fighting with Muslims], Oppressors & Murderers. Are they not doing the same in Kashmir today, murdering, raping & terrorising the Muslims of Kashmir & other parts of India.
We ask JM & Mufti Sambhali will the individual & collective participation of Muslims on a local, regional & national basis, be it as bystanders, in the multi-faith religious festivals, generally please Allah, The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime, & His Beloved Messenger, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam? Aren't the festivals/religious days of the disbelievers & pagans acts which displease & anger Allah, The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime? Aren't these acts which the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, vehemently opposed & observed a lifetime legislating against? We ask Mufti Sambhali, did not the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam, always express his anger & displeasure & legislate 'differing'in matters of belief & religious practices & customary habits particularly those with which they are identified with? For Muslims to watch & observe without participation, does this not compromise what we believe & teach? Aren't the specific aims & objectives in the SSD & FUREC's Memorandum stipulated as an encouragement, endorsement & acceptance & respect of such pagan practices? Is not the Muslim participation as bystanders or observers promoted on a regular basis? What guarantee's/safeguards are there that innocent, illiterate or ignorant Muslims will not actively participate? If, you say you will inform Muslims not to, we ask will you also inform them of the evils, harms, the anger & displeasure these acts/festivals are in the sight of Allah & His Messenger, salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam? We ask, is it not the requirement of Shari'ah to abhor & distant oneself from such acts/festivals? We ask, is the participation as bystanders not contrary to the Taqwa'of Allah, The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime? We ask, aren't you giving a general green light for such contraventions & blameworthy acts? Aren't these encouragements general & not specific, nor exceptional or isolated cases? We ask, why have you encouraged such acts in your fatawa'contrary to Shari'y guidance & principles? We ask, did you take into account the medium & long-term ills & dangers from your fatwa'by your general permissibility & encouragement? We ask, why were you content with adopting a Christian title [reverend] for a clergyman? We ask, is not the SSD merely a representation & promotion of JAIN faith & ideologies? We ask, does not the Congress Party share ideologies with Jainism? We ask, was Mahatma Gandhi not a Jain hero & idol? We ask, does not Abdul Kalam share the same ideologies as Jains & openly promote them? We ask, why have you signed up to promote Jainism concept of ahimsa? We ask Mufti Sambhali, is the concept of ahimsa in conformity with Shari'ah or contrary & a clear contravention to it? We ask, aren't you condoning acts of shirk? We ask, the SSD is a general promotion of Jain ideologies, not an exceptional case or isolated case for JM or Muslims, Islam makes provisions for extreme cases & situations, why have you irresponsibly generalised?
The Surat Spiritual Declaration states:
''PROJECT 1
Every month in all parts of India there can be a multi-religious gathering to convey the core message attempted in the prayer of peace and about the basic truths contained in various religions. Such a prayer should be preceded by prayers from all religions practiced in that part of the country by respective religious and spiritual leaders in the presence of the people. Each month the day selected could be a holy day from one religion: Islam, Hindu, Christianity, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Buddhist etc. Regular conduct of such meetings by all religious leaders and people from different religions respecting holy days of other religions will send a powerful message. If possible such gatherings can take place at the religious places where all persons from other religions also can gather on that day. People should also exchange pleasantries and sweets during these meetings, as is the practice in some parts of the country where unity of minds prevails. In addition, in order to spread the message of equality to everybody on that day a' langar' (community kitchen and eating) can be arranged so that all people eat common food sitting side by side.
How to organize these? We believe that, if all the religious and spiritual groups build strong connectivity between their own beautiful islands of happiness and solace, it is possible to turn these monthly meetings into mass movements for respecting each other's rituals, ways of life or view points. It will bring harmony and love. Peace and happiness will follow.''
And the amendment through which JM seeks to exonerate him self from are:
Amendments/Additions
i Unity among the religions means unity of the followers of religion in making a joint effort in the local and national issues of the country.
ii If any article or code of Surat Spiritual Declaration (SSD) or the aims & objectives of the FUREC clashes with the basic tenet or faith of any religion or followers of religion then that religion or follower of the religion are free to join it.
We ask, is the above a spiritual declaration in any sense, which you advised & deliberated upon, signed up for, & proudly showcased in the glass cabinet of your Spiritual Foundation office? We ask Mufti Sambhali, is not the primary meaning of respect intended above which, ''will send a powerful message.''? We ask, the amendment attempts to stipulate exemption from active participation, but it does not exempt JM or explain his deliberation, signature & continuous active participation in the contextual promotion of the false ideology in the concept of 'Unity of Religions'? [Unity of Religions: this ideology stipulates that one may remain sincere to one's own religion but each religion is part of the overall truth, there are ''basic truths contained in various religions'' & each religion is a path of many paths leading to the same destination/goal [World Scripture & generally believed in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha'ism, Zoroastrianism, etc] .We ask Mufti Sambhali, the declaration above: ''basic truths contained in various religions'' is this not a kufr declaration which JM deliberated upon, signed up for & remains an active member of the FUREC society? We ask Mufti Sambhali, are there 'basic truths'in Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Parsis, Buddhism & Zoroastrianism?
We ask Mufti Sambhali, are the above technically 'adyan'in the Shar'iy sense? We ask Mufti Sambhali, why he merely sufficed with reflecting on the literal words only & did not take into account the full context of what was deliberated upon, promoted, published, look into the private, personal & professional background of each member & reflect on the background of the SSD? We ask Mufti Sambhali, why did he not show an atoms weight of attention to the consummate concerns & foresight of Shaykh ul-Islam & the sagacious editorial of Jam e Nur? We ask why you refuse to take into consideration the objections of the majority of the Scholars of the Ahl as-Sunnah w'al Jama'ah? We ask Mufti Sambhali, have not the founding members of FUREC promoted the false & kufriyyah ideology of 'Unity of Religions'in the above declaration? We ask Mufti Sambhali, haven't the founding members of FUREC & abdul kalam not made the above religious practices/festivals ''local & national issues of the country''? We ask Mufti Sambhali, does not the above declaration stipulate making the above practices local & national customs & ''possible to turn these monthly meetings into mass movements for respecting each other's rituals…'' We ask Mufti Sambhali, is respecting pagan rituals not kufr? We ask Mufti Sambhali, YOU yourself said the purpose of the society FUREC was to promote peace & harmony especially between Muslims & Hindus – have you not yourself determined the contextual meaning of RESPECT? We ask Mufti Sambhali, did not JM participate in the deliberation of the above kufr since the SSD was made, FUREC was officiated & remained content with the kufr for nearly a year during Shaykh ul-Islam's admonition & reprimand? We ask Mufti Sambhali, does the amendment exonerate JM from Shar'iy reprimand & censure? We ask Mufti Sambhali, does he not consider any form of censure on JM? We ask Mufti Sambhali, is this not the context of 'Unity of Minds'which the SSD & FUREC promote? We ask Mufti Sambhali, has he not issued a fatwa'legitimising the witnessing of falsehood? We ask Mufti Sambhali, is not the harms of FUREC greater than the apparent alleged benefits? We ask Mufti Sambhali, is not the harm you have endorsed & brought about greater than the good you foolishly sought? We ask Mufti Sambhali, does not the publicly mixing of Muslims with the pagans during the 'holy days'or during each others rituals inculcate an inclination & attachment to the people upon whom is the anger of Allah, The Most Majestic & The Most Sublime. We ask Mufti Sambhali, does the said publicly mixing not remove the distinguishing factors which the legislator of Shari'ah intended to maintain between the guided & those who have anger upon them & the misguided?]
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi'l 'aliyyil 'azim!