Main Topic
An earnest appeal to express gratitude (shukr) for the abundance of Islamic institutions in our communities, alongside a stern warning against engaging in or approaching sinful year-end and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Key Lessons
- Expressing true gratitude for religious infrastructure (Masajid and Madaris) through active participation protects these spiritual sanctuaries from deteriorating into neglect.
- Year-end bashes and parties center around three primary vices: music, intermingling/zina, and intoxicants—acts that invite Shayateen rather than the Rahmah and Sakinah of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
- Indulging in music fosters hypocrisy (nifaq) in the heart, committing zina temporarily strips away a person's Iman, and intoxicants act as the gateway to all major sins.
- A truly wise person restrains their base desires and works for the Hereafter, whereas a foolish person follows their lower self while falsely relying on Allah's mercy to cover deliberate disobedience.
Quranic/Hadith References
- Surah Luqman (31:6): Warning against "Lahwal Hadith" (idle talk/music) which misleads people from the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
- Surah Al-Isra (17:32): Direct command not to go anywhere near zina ("La taqrabu zina").
- Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:90): Categorizing intoxicants, gambling, and idols as filth from the handiwork of Shaitan.
- Hadith: "Music grows hypocrisy in the heart just as water grows crops."
- Hadith: "The adulterer is not a believer at the time he commits zina."
- Hadith: "The intelligent person is he who subdues his lower desires and works for what comes after death."
Practical Advice
- Avoid visiting or even driving past locations where non-Islamic celebrations and fireworks take place, as increasing the headcount of an evil gathering links one to it.
- Utilize the quiet hours of New Year's Eve productively by offering Tahajjud prayers, crying to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, and making dua for guidance for humanity.
- If unable to pray late at night, perform Isha with congregation, go to sleep early, and ensure Fajr is performed with congregation to receive the reward of worshipping all night.
Hazrat Moulana Dawood Seedat Saheb