Traveling to places which are cursed?
بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد
Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:
Book of Prayer: Chapter: Praying
at places where the earth had sunken
And
it is mentioned that `Alee رضي الله عنه disliked praying in Babylonia where it was sunk (as a
punishment).
Narrated
`Abdullaah bin `Umar رضي الله عنهما: Allaah's
Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم
said: “Do not enter (the places) of these people
where Allaah's punishment had fallen unless you do so weeping. If you do not
weep, do not enter (the places of these people) because Allaah's curse and
punishment which fell upon them may fall upon you.” [Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree (433, 3380, 3381) and Saheeh Muslim (5296, 5297)]
Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله:
The
Shaikh رحمه الله was
asked about travelling to “Madaa’in al-Saaleh”*?
He
replied: If it (the traveling) is for seeking as a reminder, then
there is no problem with it.* But if it
done for sightseeing (tourism) and enjoyment; then it is not allowed.
Reference:
الحلل
الإبريزية من التعليقات البازية على صحيح البخاري
* Madaa’in al-Saaleh is the place which is 400 km
north of al-Madeenah. The people of Thamood were destroyed as Allaah تعالى says:
{Verily, We sent against them a single Saihah (torment –
awful cry), and they became like the stubble of a fold-builder}
[Surah al-Qamar (54): 31]
* The phrase “Travel through the earth and see”
has been repeated in the Qur’aan many times. For example Allaah تعالى says:
{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Travel in the land and see what
was the end of those who rejected truth.”} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 11]
And
also:
{Do they not travel in the land, and see what was the end
of those before them? They were superior to them in strength, and they tilled
the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these (pagans of Makkah)
have done, and there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs. Surely,
Allaah wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves. Then evil was the
end of those who did evil, because they denied the Aayaat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, Messengers, etc.) of Allaah and made a
mockery of them} [Surah al-Room (30): 9-10]
* Also places like Petra (Jordan), the Pyramids
(Egypt), the Dead Sea, and other such places, where the punishment of Allaah had come (some of them are mentioned in Surah al-Qamar) or where things other than Allaah were worshiped,
should not be visited, except while weeping and fearing that Allaah’s curse and
punishment may befall them while they are in those places. But unfortunately,
such places have become tourist spots, where even the Muslims go for amusement
and tourism.
Subhanallah, this is very informative. I believe many Muslims especially are unaware of this. May Allah Guide us All, Ameen
ReplyDeleteand sadly, such places are hot spots for the vacationers.
DeleteAkhi do you know in what surah in the Qur'an the story of Petra is?
ReplyDeleteAssalaam `alaikum.
DeleteThe story of Prophet Sulaimaan عليه السلام and the Queen of Sheba (Bilkhees) is mentioned in Surah al-Naml (27). But I don't recall it being related to Petra.
As Salaam Alaykum, baaraka Allahu fik. Does all the translations in the blog made by you? or are extract from lectures, books, articles in english? baaraka Allahu feekum
ReplyDeletewa `alaikum assalaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh, wa feekum baarak Allaah.
DeleteNearly all the work is translated by me, except where indicated.
Should you find any mistakes in the translation or any typos, then please do inform me.
Jazaak Allaahu khair.