. Li (cont.)

However, al-Sabt notes that one must distinguish between a person whose example is going to be followed and whose presence at that place may be misunderstood as accepting of that evil. In a case of that nature, that person should not stay at that wedding party. At the same time, also, avoiding the places of evil does not mean that one sacrifices acts that are required by the shareeah because of the presence of a lesser evil. For example, one must still attend the mosque even if the only mosque available to him is one which has decorations or pictures on the wall. Similarly, as has been ascribed to Imam Ahmad, if a person is following a funeral procession and then people start wailing or playing a hand-drum, one does not leave what is ordered by the shareeah due to that lesser evil that is present. Allah knows best.3 • Those "callers to Islam" today who are making everything "permissible" for the Muslims-- those "speakers" and others who are calling many things halaal even though they are clear violations of the Quran and sunnah and, 1 Sultaan, p. 295. 2 Ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, pp. 248-249. 3 Cf., al-Sabt, al-Amr, pp. 342-3. Commentary on the 40 Hadith of al-Nawawi many times, these "callers" are aware of that fact but continue in this way to "make things easy for the people"- must have a shortcoming in two areas: in their love of Allah and in their love for their fellow Muslims. No one who truly and completely loves Allah can be happy when people follow their desires and opinions rather than what Allah has commanded. No one who truly loves his fellow Muslims can be happy when they follow opinions or acts that he knows go against the Quran and sunnah. "Calling" to Islam is not some type of popularity contest. It is a matter of calling people to the way of Allahthe way that is pleasing to Allah, which may not necessarily be the same path that is pleasing to the masses. • Innovations and heresies are from the greatest evils that exist among the Muslims. It is obligatory to repel evil according to one's ability. Allah willing, there is a great reward for doing so. Imam Ahmad was once asked, "Who is more beloved to you, a person who fasts, prays and secludes himself in the mosque or a person who speaks out against the innovators?" He answered, "If he fasts, prays and secludes himself in the mosque, that is for his own personal benefit. If he speaks out against the innovators, that is for the benefit of the Muslims as a whole and that is preferable."' lbn Taimiya argues that such actions are like a form of jihad that is meant to defend the religion and preserve it.2 Summary of the Hadith • A Muslim should never acquiesce to the presence of an evil. It is obligatory upon him to remove that evil whenever he has the ability to do so. • Ifhe can remove that evil with his hand, then he must do so. • Ifhe does not have the ability to remove the evil with his hand or removing it would lead to a greater evil, then he must try to remove the evil with his speech. • If he is also not able to remove the evil with his speech, then he can only resort to removing the evil with his heart. That is the least manifestation of faith with respect to evil. 1 Quoted in ibn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 28, p. 1 3 1 . 2 Ibid. Hadith #35: "Do not be envious of one another. . . " Hadith #35 "Do Not Be Envious of One Another . . . " , , எ J. ,,. 0 .... 1 .r . . Ʌ .r -j: .... ,, ,,,,. J .... ঄°±J '-lঅj আই ঈ';.- P1 JSP' ন঩1:,j On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially raise prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn one's back on each other; and do not undercut one another in business transactions. And be, [O] servants of Allah, brethren. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him. He does not fail him [when he needs him]. He does not lie to him. And he does not show contempt for him. Piety is here"- and he pointed to his chest three times. "It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honor." Recorded by Muslim. Selected Vocabulary l_,.i...6.:i - "be envious of one another," it is in the reciprocal form lනll:i - "inflate prices against one another," see the discussion below 1ຄ4J - "be angry with one another" l.J_):'l.i:.i 1_,.;_,s; Jt.,.c. wl · 1 Y'-.