Fanaticism, Laxity and Moderation are All to be Understood in Reference to Shari`ah

Fanaticism, Laxity and Moderation are All to be Understood in Reference to Shari`ah[1]

These days, When you give advice to someone to follow Islamic rules, and when these rules seem cannot be fitted in the modern life (in the 21^st century) in his/her opinion, immediately they says, “Don’t be such a fanatic and so extreme; be moderate”!

“As far as this comment “you are a fanatic” is concerned, fanaticism, laxity and moderation are all to be understood in reference to Shari’ah. Whatever is in accordance with Shari’ah is moderate; whatever exceeds that is extreme and whatever falls short of that is laxity. The standard in all cases is Shari’ah and the meaning of moderation is that which is in accordance with the Shari’ah”[2] not what can be fitted in the 21^st century.

Imagine that an advice is given to someone not to go to Cinema! Directly the person who gave the advice will be accused so extreme and fanatic! Let’s see that going to cinema to watch movies where can be fitted in Shari’ah and how it comes Halal (lawful) for a Muslim to watch?

Let’s do quick analysis of movies that shown in the Cinema today. Do not they include looking at things that are Haram (unlawful), such as seeing ‘Awrah[3] [3], following immoral actions, obscene talk and frankly speaking sexuality? So, what kind of standard that the brothers and sisters who watch these movies refer to making watching these kind of movies as sign of moderate Muslim?! Allah (the exalted) says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)”[4].

With regard to the Hadith of ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), in which she said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (was never given the choice between two things but he would choose the easier of the two, so long as it was not a sin; if it was a sin he would be the furthest of the people from it)[5].

“It cannot be taken in any way whatsoever as meaning forsaking Shari’ah and falling short in duties. What is meant by “the choice between two things” is with regard to worldly matters where Islam does not command or forbid anything, or matters in which there is a broad choice between what Sunnah is and what mustahabb (desirable) is. But if the Shari`ah ruling indicates that something is obligatory or prohibited, then that must be adhered to, without overstepping the mark or falling short”[6].

This reminds us with a sister when she asked why not wearing Hijab, she replied the Hijab is old fashion and cannot be fitted in the modern life, so, I have to not wear it to live in a modern society and this is a kind of Da`wah (Islamic Call) (!) making people around me happy attracting them to Islam (!). It’s OK for this sister not to wear Hijab, this is her choice! But it is not OK for her to do “update” for Islamic rules to be fitted in the 21^st Century! This is what some Muslims around the world fall in. This wrong thinking, changing in Islamic beliefs and rules to make people around us happy, appears when someone try to have his/her own understanding and judgment before having the minimum knowledge to do so.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever pleases Allah by angering the people, Allah will suffice him, but whoever angers Allah by pleasing the people, Allah will leave him to the people”[7].

Dear brothers and sisters:

“whoever is advised concerning something that is Haram according to Shari’ah, so that he can avoid it or give it up, or is told of an obligation so that he can fulfil it, then he says something like this, is doing wrong. What he should do, if he is advised, is to thank the person who has offered the advice, then he should look at himself and if the advice was justified, then he should avoid the Haram thing and do what is obligatory”[8].

Walhamdullah Rab-Alalmeen

Rayed AlGahmdi