Emotionally inciting the Ummah without providing the solutions

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

I received the above pic in one of my whatsapp group and would like to address a few points about it.

There are two aspects in regards to this cartoon:

A) Creating awareness:

The pic is trying to create awareness about the situation of the Ummah and the importance of helping each other in the times of need. There are many Ahaadeeth which encourage the people to help their brothers in need. The following are a few examples:

1) Abu Hurairah reported Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying:

“Verily, Allaah عز وجل would say on the Day of Resurrection: {O son of Aadam, I was sick but you did not visit Me}. He would say: O my Lord; how could I visit You whereas You are the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He تعالى would say: {Didn't you know that such and such servant of Mine was sick but you did not visit him and were you not aware of this that if you had visited him, you would have found Me by him? O son of Aadam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me}. He would say: My Lord, how could I feed You whereas You are the Lord of the worlds? He تعالى would say: {Didn't you know that such and such servant of Mine asked food from you but you did not feed him, and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would have found him by My side? O son of Aadam, I asked drink from you but you did not provide Me}. He would say: My Lord, how could I provide You whereas You are the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He تعالى would say: {Such and such of servant of Mine asked you for a drink but you did not provide him, and had you provided him drink you would have found him near Me}.”

[Saheeh Muslim (6232)]

2) Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying:

“He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allaah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is financially hard-pressed, Allaah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allaah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allaah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allaah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allaah (the Masaajid) and recite the Book of Allaah and they learn and teach the Qur’aan (among themselves) there would descend upon them tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allaah mentions them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) lineage does not make him go ahead.”

[Saheeh Muslim (6518)]

3) The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“None of you (truly) believes till he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.”

[Saheehain]

•۩۞۩•

B) Belittling Islaam and its principles:

1) Drawing cartoons in the name of Islaam?!:

There might be a difference of opinion whether photography is allowed or not and people have taken different opinions. (I personally believe that it is prohibited to take photos of any animates).

But there is no difference of opinion regarding the prohibition of drawing cartoons even if it is with the purpose of sharing Islaamic knowledge.  The purpose/intention behind it might be good, but the means is Haraam. Do not take the things prohibited by Allaah and His Messenger as something lightly.

a) Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: I bought a cushion with pictures on it. When Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saw it, he kept standing at the door and did not enter the house. I noticed the sign of disgust on his face, so I said: “O Allaah’s Apostle! I repent to Allaah and His Apostle. (Please let me know) what sin I have done.” Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What about this cushion?” I replied: “I bought it for you to sit and recline on.” Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The painters of these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection. It will be said to them, ‘Put life in what you have created (i.e. painted).’” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم added: “The angels do not enter a house where there are pictures.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

b) Narrated Sa`eed bin Abu Al Hasan: While I was with Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما, a man came and said: “O Abu al-`Abbaas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures.” Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: “I will tell you only what I heard from Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم. I heard him saying: “Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allaah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.” Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn `Abbaas said to him: “What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

c) Narrated Abu Juhaifah رضي الله عنه: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم cursed the lady who practices tattooing and the one who gets herself tattooed, and one who eats (takes) Ribaa’ (usury) and the one who gives it. And he prohibited taking the price of a dog, and the money earned by prostitution, and cursed the makers of pictures.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

d) Narrated Muslim: We were with Masrooq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masrooq saw pictures on his terrace and said: I heard `Abdullaah رضي الله عنه saying that he heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allaah will be the picture makers.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

e) Narrated Abu Zura: I entered a house in Madeenah with Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, and he saw a man making pictures at the top of the house. Abu Hurairah said: “I heard Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “Allaah تعالى said: {Who would be more unjust than the one who tries to create the like of My creatures? Let them create a grain: let them create a gnat.}” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

2) The pic fails to highlight the cause of all the problems the Ummah is facing:

Some of the causes of this widespread chaos amongst the Muslim Ummah are as follows:

a) Shirk:

When shirk is widespread in a community, peace and tranquility is removed from them:

﴿وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ﴾

{Allaah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).} [Surah al-Noor (24): 55]

b) Opposing the Sunnah:

﴿فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾

{And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad’s) commandment beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.} [Surah al-Noor (24): 63]

Where not the Muslims defeated in the Battle of Uhud because of one command of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم being disobeyed? This is a clear threat from Allaah تعالى with the punishment in this world to anyone who opposes the Sunnah. If this was not enough, those who do Bid`ah will be driven away from the Prophet’s cistern on the Day of Judgment.

c) Increase in sins, immorality and disobedience:

﴿ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ﴾

{Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allaah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allaah, and begging His Pardon).} [Surah al-Room (30): 41]

Zainab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها said: O Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم! Shall we be destroyed though there will be righteous people among us? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes, if the (number) of evil (persons) increase.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

d) Love of Dunya:

This state of the Ummah was already prophesized by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم centuries ago that nations will be summoning one another to attack the Muslims:

Thawbaan رضي الله عنه reported Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “The people will soon summon one another to attack you, as people when eating invite others to share their dish.” Someone asked: Will that be because of our small numbers at that time? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No! You will be numerous at that time, but you will be like scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allaah will take fear of you from the breast of your enemy and case enervation (weakness) into your hearts.” Someone asked: What is Wahn (enervation)? He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: “Love of the world and dislike of death.”

[Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (22397) and Sunan Abu Dawood (4297) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

3) Allaah تعالى advised us in the Qur’aan to seek his help with patience and what? With PRAYER!

﴿وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ﴾

{And seek (Allaah’s) help through patience and al-Salaah (the prayer) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-Khaashi`oon (those who are humbly submissive)} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 45]

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾

{O you who Believe! Seek help through patience and al-Salaah (the prayer). Truly! Allaah is with al-Saabireen} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 153]

So how can we abandon Sabr and Salaah and still expect Allaah’s help?!

4) During the presence of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, Bilaal, `Ammaar, Yaasir, Sumayyah and many other Companions رضي الله عنهم were persecuted and tortured while the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم kept advising them with patience.

Narrated Khabbaab bin Al-Arat رضي الله عنه: We complained to Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم (of the persecution inflicted on us by the infidels of Makkah) while he was sitting in the shade of the Ka`bah, leaning over his Burd (i.e. covering sheet). We said to him: Would you seek help for us? Would you pray to Allaah for us? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Among the nations before you a (believing) man would be put in a ditch that was dug for him, and a saw would be put over his head and he would be cut into two pieces; yet that (torture) would not make him give up his religion. His body would be combed with iron combs that would remove his flesh from the bones and nerves, yet that would not make him abandon his religion. By Allaah, this religion (i.e. Islaam) will prevail till a traveler from Sana`aa (in Yemen) to Hadhrarmaut will fear none but Allaah, or a wolf as regards his sheep, but you (people) are hasty.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3612, 3852, 6943)]

5) Before the battle of Badr began, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم kept beseeching Allaah تعالى.

Reliance on Allaah and the Du`aa are the most trustworthy weapons in the times of need:

Narrated `Abdullaah ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما: The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم went out on the day of Badr along with three hundred and fifteen (men). The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

اللهم إنهم حفاة فاحملهم ، اللهم إنهم عراة فاكسهم ، اللهم إنهم جياع فأشبعهم

“O Allaah! They are on foot, provide mount for them; O Allaah! They are naked, clothe them; O Allaah! They are hungry, provide food for them.” Allaah then bestowed victory on them. They returned when they were clothed. There was no man of them but he returned with one or two camels; they were clothed and ate to their fill.

[Sunan Abu Dawood (2747), and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (1003)]

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, while in a tent (on the day of the battle of Badr) said:

اللهم إني أنشدك عهدك ووعدك اللهم إن شئت لم تعبد بعد اليوم

“O Allaah! I ask you the fulfillment of Your Covenant and Promise. O Allaah! If You wish (to destroy the believers) You will never be worshipped after today.” Abu Bakr caught him by the hand and said: “This is sufficient, O Allaah's Apostle! You have asked Allaah pressingly.” The Prophet was clad in his armor at that time. He went out, saying to me:

﴿سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ الدُّبُرَ * بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَى وَأَمَرُّ﴾

{There multitude will be put to flight and they will show their backs. Nay, but the Hour is their appointed time (for their full recompense) and that Hour will be more grievous and more bitter (than their worldly failure).} [Surah al-Qamar (54):45-46)] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2915, 3953, 4875, 4877)]

6) Supplicate like a drowning person:

Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه said: “Soon a time is coming upon the people when no one will be saved except the one who supplicates, like how a drowning person would supplicate.” [Musannaf ibn Abee Shaibah (29173, 37145, 37146) and Shu`ab al-Imaan (1078)]

And on the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه who said: “There will be a Fitnah (and at that time) no one will be saved except the one who supplicates like how a drowning person would supplicate.” [Musannaf ibn Abee Shaibah (37749)]

7) The pic not only failed to provide the solution for these problems; rather it is mocking at the solutions provided in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Some of the things that are being mocked in the pic:

i) “Let’s Pray (or let’s supplicate)”: already preceded how it is mentioned in the Book and the Sunnah to seek Allaah’s help through patience and prayer.

ii) “Improving my Imaan”: already preceded how Shirk and false `Aqeedah are the reasons for the downfall for any nation and because of Shirk, peace and tranquility is taken away.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّـهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ﴾

{They guard him by the Command of Allaah. Verily! Allaah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves. But when Allaah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector.} [Surah al-Ra`d (13): 11]

When people change from obedience to disobedience, Allaah تعالى takes away the blessings He had bestowed and He takes away from the people what they like and substitute it with what they dislike. So when we try to rectify that which is between us and our Lord, Allaah تعالى will rectify that which is between us and the other creations.

iii) “Fasting”: Fasting is from the acts of `Ibaadah (worship of Allaah) and is one of the five pillars of Islaam. The very purpose of human creation is to worship of Allaah, so how can one dare to mention Fasting (even if one is intending by it the optional Fasting)?

iv) “Trouser length”: Should we now even take the matters of the Sunnah as something lightly? So now trouser length is irrelevant, beard is irrelevant, a man wearing gold is irrelevant, men dressing as women is irrelevant. If this is the trend, we will slowly but gradually end up abandoning all the Prophetic teachings.

v) “and here you are arguing over what position your hands should be in the Salaah”: the argument over the years has never been limited to where the position of the hands should be in the Salaah, rather the argument is about abandoning the Prophet’s Sunnah because of being inclined towards a particular Madhhab.

The solution for all our problems are going back to the Kitaab and the Sunnah as Imaam Maalik رحمه الله said: “Nothing will rectify the last part of this Ummah except that which rectified its first part (i.e. the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم).” [Related by al-Qaadhee `Iyaadh in ash-Shifaa’ (2/676), Majmoo` al-Fataawa (1/241) and (1/353)]

There is a fine line between encouraging people upon knowledge and between inciting them upon emotions and without providing the solutions; and this cartoon does the latter. We should encourage and create awareness, but not by belittling the fundamental aspects of Islaam.

And Allaah is the One who grants success.