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 : 8]
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. 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) 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.”
[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 reverence and love in the heart.
When we claim to have love for Allah Ta’ala,
how then can we love those who have rejected Him?
By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)
