Qaanitah Hunter (29-11-11)

Christmas, Valentines Day and other baseless days of commemoration have
permeated into the faultless religion of Islam.

It is no longer bizarre for Muslims to exchange Christmas presents,
Valentines cards and Easter bunnies amongst each other to the extent that
those who do not participate in such frivolous days of celebration are
regarded as ‘wet blankets’.

According to well acclaimed author, Khalid Baig , there are a group of
practices that we can consider as the twin sister of Bid’ah(innovation). Like Bid’ah
they flourish on the twin foundations of ignorance and outside influence.
Like Bid’ah they entail rituals. But unlike Bid’ah the rituals have not been
given an Islamic face. They are followed because they are considered an
acceptable cultural practice or the hottest imported “in” thing.

It is completely senseless for a Muslim to advocate the meaningless
festivities of Christian ‘religious days’. It’s a conspicuous case of, once
again, following the consumer trend blindly.

Emphasizing this point, Baig continues: “It is a great tragedy that under the
constant barrage of commercial and cultural propaganda from the forces of
globalization and the relentless media machine, Muslims have begun to
embrace the Valentines, the Halloween ghost, and even the Santa Claus. Given
our terrible and increasing surrender to paganism the only day we should be
observing is a day of mourning. Better yet it should be a day of repentance
that could liberate us from all these days. And all this daze.”

It is ironic that we can, without a blink of an eye, spend exorbitant
amounts on celebrations that have no benefit but when it comes to spending
in the name of Islam we are somewhat apprehensive.

Islam has afforded Muslims a day of virtue to commemorate and spend on ones
family.

This day is the day of Aashura which is the 10th of the first month of the
Hijri calendar, Muharram.

The distinguishing factor between spending on Aashura and spending on any
other day of celebration is that Allah has promised immense reward for the
former.

The hadith is narrated by Hadhrat Abdullâh bin Mas’ood Radhi-Allâhu ‘anhu,
who mentions that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam said:
“Allâh Ta’âla will grant prosperity throughout the year to the person who
spends freely on his family on the day of Âshura.”( Tabraani and Baihaqi)

Let us remove our blindfolds of gullibility and naivety and move towards
prosperity and reward by spending on our loved ones this Aashura.

What we sow this Ashura will reap a two-fold benefit: in this world and ultimately in the hereafter as well.

qaanitah@ciibroadcasting.com