Apostasy- Prevention and preclusion

 In today’s times, indecency and irreligiousness is fast becoming rampant.  Muslims are in dire straits because of lack of Islamic education and the fires of apostasy are eating up Muslims.  In these times, it is the primary responsibility of parents and guardians that they teach Islam to their children and make them cognizant of its sanctity and greatness.  Parents/guardians shouldn’t make this material world the be all and end all of their lives.  Instead they should give religious education the first priority.  Ignoring this and going after secondary things is not wisdom.  These are the words of Maulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, Shakh Ul Jamia, Jamia Nizamia and Chief Patron, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center in the public meeting on “Apostasy – Prevention and preclusion” held on February 26, 2012, at Mughalpura Playground.

 

The revered Mufti said that indecency is spreading through electronic media.  All the paths to indecency have become wide open and carelessness in such a time is a deathly sin.  He said that Muslims are being carried away by indecent cultures and are following them blindly.  The un-Islamic customs have become so endearing to them that they have lost their ability to differentiate between right and wrong.  This is not only misguiding them but is sometimes making them to lose their faith and become apostates.  The revered Mufti spelled out the different reasons for apostasy and said that people are defecting from Islam due to greed and poverty as well.  He said that this is the time to face this problem head on because those who misguide are taking advantage of our heedlessness and if this heedlessness is not curbed, it will lead to dangerous outcomes.

 

Maulana Muhammad Khwaja Shareef Sahab, Shaykh Ul Hadith, Jamia Nizamia, said that apostasy is the greatest tribulation of these times.  History is proof enough that in earlier times, people would see Muslims and embrace Islam, but in these times, Muslims themselves are leaving their religion for the sake of fulfillment of their base desires.  He said that it is the responsibility of each and every person to do their bit against this tribulation.  He quoted a Hadith from Muwatta Imam Malik that this Hadith is a roadmap for the Ummah for facing these tribulations.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The people in the last times can’t be reformed but through the methods used to reform the earliest people.  The Shaykh released the English edition of the book of Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri, “Refutation of Qadianism – In light of the Holy Quran and Hadith”

 

            Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri, Shaykh Ul Fiqh, Jamia Nizamia, and Founder-Director AHIRC, said that today’s youth are assailed by apostasy and irreligiousness.  They are stuck deep in the mire of immorality.  They have fallen prey to indecency due to misuse of TV and internet.  They are so much accustomed to sins that they are on the brink of defecting from Islam even.  Almighty Allah has ordered all Muslims to save themselves and their family members from the fire (of hell).  The Mufti quoted verse no. 6 of Surah Tahreem that Almighty Allah has used the metaphor of fire for sins.  The way parents abhor their children being thrown into fire and make every effort to ensure that not even a single spark falls on them, in the same way, they should keep their children away from indecency.  The Mufti quoted a Hadith from Jame’ Tirmidhi that tribulations will enter your house the way droplets of rain fall.  As per this Hadith, tribulations are entering our houses in the form of TV and internet.  This wild fire of apostasy is spreading rapidly.  The Mufti quoted a Hadith that a person will start his (or her) morning as a Muslim and will be a non-Muslim in the evening.  The person will retire in the night as a Muslim and will start the day as an apostate.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has informed us of the tribulations that are to come so that we make arrangements to safeguard ourselves.  The Mufti related the incident of Hadhrat Yousuf (May peace be upon him) and Zulekha that Hadhrat Yousuf (May peace be upon him) willing chose imprisonment and showed everybody that difficulties are acceptable but sins are not.  The Mufti related the incident of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa (May Allah be well pleased with him) from Usdul Ghaba and Al Isaba that a Christian king asked him to embrace his faith if only for a moment and punished him with death for not doing so.  Hadhrat ‘Abdullah remained steadfast on Islam.  The king ordered one prisoner to be put in boiling oil.  All his flesh disintegrated and his bones were visible.  When Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Hudhafa (May Allah be well pleased with him) was brought to the oil, there were tears in his eyes.  On asking the reason, he told that he was crying because he had only 1 life to sacrifice in the path of Allah.  These great incidents are a shining example to Muslims to remain steadfast on Islam.  Today there is an urgent need to work in schools and colleges and at every level.  Only through this can the Ummah face this threat. 

 

The Mufti said that if the youth are married off at appropriate ages, then they can save themselves from sexual anarchy and the chastity of girls can be safeguarded.  Otherwise, this will give rise to such tribulations that will envelop the whole world.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  When you get a proposal from such a person whose piety and character you are sure of, then perform the marriage without any delay.  If this is not done, then there will be a great tribulation in the land.  The Mufti said that it is the responsibility of every Muslim to stem the onslaught of indecency and apostasy.  A detailed roadmap should be developed and implemented.  Each and every member of the Ummah should participate in this struggle.  Islamic education should be promoted, company of pious people should be ensured, morality should be taught in schools and colleges, misuse of TV and internet should be checked.  Sex education should be done away with.  Steps should be taken to ensure livelihood against poverty and Muslim youth should stop extorting money in the name of dowry, etc.

 

            Naqeeb Millat Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi, MP, and President, AIMIM, congratulated AHIRC on organizing a public meeting about apostasy that they have taken a timely step in the right direction.  He advised youth to spend time in the mosques and to remain in the company of scholars whose very sight reminds them of Almighty Allah.  He said that modesty is the only dividing line between humans and beasts.  Youth should save themselves from indecency and should keep their gaze lowered, because lewd gazing leads one on to the wrong path.  He advised the youth that if they are beautiful then they should keep in mind the life of Hadhrat Yousuf (May peace be upon him).  He said that more than any external enemy, our society is harmful for us.  It is our youth who destroy our society.  If the father offers Tahajjud, then the children will offer their 5 daily Salaat properly. If the father himself is careless about Salaat, then the children will not hesitate from consuming wine as well.  The revered MP condemned consumption of wine and exhorted the youth of the Ummah to refrain from sins and acquire piety.  He also released the English edition of the book of Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri, “Hijab – The complete protection for women.” 

 

            Janab Ahmed Pasha Qadri, MLA, advised the youth to save themselves from indecency.  He congratulated Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri that he has organized this session keeping in mind the needs of the present times.

 

            Maulana Hamed Hussain Hassaan Farooqui gave the introductory address. He said that everyone has an affinity for their own religion.  Islam is that religion which is decreed by the Lord Almighty, Allah Most High.  The Holy Quran has made this clear that except Islam, no other religion will be accepted.

 

            Salaat Ul Isha was offered with congregation in the venue itself.  A large number of people attended the session.  Many scholars, Shaykhs, leaders were present.  They include but are not limited to Maulana Syed Mahmood Pasha Zareen Kulah, Maulana Syed Shah Raju  Hussaini Sani, Maulana Syed Asrar Hussain Razwi, Maulana Syed Noor Ul Asfiya Roohi Pasha Azmi, Maulana Syed Abdur Raoof Baghdadi, Maulana Syed Arshad Qadri, Maulana Hafiz Syed Murtaza Ali Soofi, Maulana Syed Auliya Hussaini Murtaza Pasha, Maulana Syed Faizuddin Qureshi Saleem Pasha, Maulana Irfanullah Shah Noori, Maulana Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin Suhail Bukhari, Maulana Qazi Abdul Haq Rafi Farooqui, Corporators (AIMIM) Janab Mohsin Balala, Janab Muhammad Mukarram, Janab Meraj Muhammad.  Janab Ghulam Asif Samdani, Chief Patron, Urdu Academy, Jeddah was also present.

 

            The session started with Hafiz Syed Misbahuddin Umair reciting the Holy Quran.  Janab Rashid Abdur Razzaq, Janab Asad Mohiuddin Khan, Hafiz Syed Bahauddin Zubair Naqshbandi recited Naat.  Maulana Hafiz Syed Ahmed Ghouri, Teacher, Jamia Nizamia, led the proceedings.  Maulana Hafiz Syed Ahmed Mohiuddin Rafi gave the vote of thanks.  Shaykh Ul Huffaz, Dr. Hafiz Shaikh Ahmed Mohiuddin Sharafi, Chief Advisor AHIRC made the Dua at the end of the session.