muslim sermon - much evil comes from summer vacations

O Muslims! As the years have passed, various groups of people have discussed a very important issue which many communities have in common. People from all walks of life with different interests have discussed the positive and negative aspects of this issue, because it is a very important topic. Many people have commented on this through various means such as magazines, mosques, clubs and other media, and from many different points of view.

This issue, O slaves of Allaah, is that of summer or yearly vacations, which has become an indispensable event for many people. All nations agree that this event has become a part of our lives and cannot be ignored. It has imposed itself to be a part of a fixed yearly plan, and in most cases it is unorganised and poorly planned, despite the fact that people feel that it is a necessity.

When people think of their vacation, they do not seem to have the proper objectives, and their plans seem to lack the limitations of time and place, let alone the adherence to the Islamic guidelines that should define what can and cannot be done during them.

Only an arrogant or ignorant person would deny the fact that people need to rest after long periods of hard work, and that they need to relax after stress. Islaam does not oblige people to make all their words as those of the remembrance of Allaah, nor to make all their time be occupied with acts of worship. Rather, Islaam has permitted rest and relaxation within defined limits. As a mater of fact, when a companion of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam by the name of Handhalah Ibn ‘Aamir, may Allaah be pleased with him, came to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam complaining that the strength and level of his Eemaan decreased when he returned home and played with his wife and children (as opposed to the time when he was with the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied to this by saying: “A time for this and a time for that” (Bukhaari & Muslim) which means an hour for worship and increasing ones Eemaan, and an hour for living ones life within the limits and boundaries of Islaam, which would also help one increase their Eemaan.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr, may Allaah have mercy upon him, narrated that ‘Ali Ibn Abu Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: "Relax your hearts and find some means of entertainment for them, because they become apathetic just as bodies get tired."

Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "I have observed that man has shouldered many difficult responsibilities and obligations. Amongst the heaviest of burdens is controlling himself and persevering through that which he likes and dislikes, and it seems to me that the correct thing to do is interrupt that with something that entertains."

This is how we should understand mixing seriousness with amusement and hard work with relaxation, but there are important questions regarding the behaviour of many Muslims during vacations that must be asked. How far does amusement go during vacations? What is the ideal way of utilising our time and maintaining our priorities? What should be our real understanding of vacationing? Is it too much sleep? Is it holding expensive and extravagant weddings? Is it switching days into nights and nights into days? Or is excessive TV and internet viewing?

These are questions which come from the heart of every believing man and woman, who have a conscience and are deeply concerned by the manner in which our youth are spending their time and utilising their health.

This topic requires a detailed research, so that objectives can be set for the fruitful utilisation of time, and so that limits can be set for people so that they remain within Islamic boundaries. Such a research can be conducted by studying all available entertainment programs and evaluating their pros and cons, and by establishing a strong link between them, Islamic guidelines and people’s customs and traditions; This could be in the form of a study that finds inventive ways of accomplishing relaxation, entertainment and other benefits along with the pleasure of Allaah during peoples vacations, and which analyses people’s actions and reactions based on Islaam, in light of people’s interests and hobbies. This would be a study that discovers the benefits that vacations give, such as reviving people, energising them and increasing their productivity, which will reflect on their communities and benefit them in this life and the Hereafter.

O Muslims! In order to recognise mature and responsible communities, who are concerned about their individuals and the utilisation of the wasted human resources within their ranks, we must observe what their stance is regarding vacations and holiday periods, as well as the serious researches that they conduct in order to find solutions for the negative and unsavoury aspects of vacations.

Indeed if we were to attempt to go into detail about the negative practices that take place during vacations in many of our communities, it would take too long a time, but we will mention just a few to give an idea about what takes place. It is best to be clear and honest about these vacations which in many cases stray away from the teachings and boundaries of Islaam.

One of the most dispraised practices during vacations is when people switch their days into nights and vice versa; people stay up all night with useless talk and incorrect behaviour. Sometimes this even involves sinful words and actions. Some people spend their nights dancing or listening to music, and then when the day comes they spend it sleeping, heedless of the remembrance of Allaah, let alone in His worship. Such practices make people heedless of the fact that Allaah made nights to rest in and days for working, and that the alternation of the day and night is one of the signs of the greatness of Allaah. In fact, when Allaah wanted to give the disbelievers an example of His might and power He mentioned the alternation of the day and night, as He says that which translates as: “Say: 'Have you considered: if Allaah should make for you the night continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allaah could bring you light? Then will you not hear?' Say: 'Have you considered: if Allaah should make for you the day continuous until the Day of Resurrection, what deity other than Allaah could bring you a night in which you may rest? Then will you not see?' And out of His Mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful.” (Al-Qasas: 71-73).

Slaves of Allaah! From among the incorrect practices which frequently occur during vacations and for which people in general and women in particular long for, are the evil practices which occur during weddings. In preparation for such events people spend excessive amounts of money and concentrate all their efforts in this, they spend ridiculous amounts on renting the halls where the event is to be held and boast to others about doing so. They go to ridiculous lengths in shopping for the event, and women expose their adornment during these times. All of this happens prior to the wedding, as well as huge amounts of money spent on clothes, food and drinks – solely for the purpose of boasting and showing off. Dowries are so high that it seems as if many couples are living in separate eras, the husband in one which has passed and the wife in one which is yet to come, so how can these two eras be reconciled?

Some young men barely have enough to live on, while the parents of the young ladies they wish to marry spend wastefully; some young men just wish to get married while the parents of the young ladies they wish to get married to simply wish to boast. Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that a man came to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam seeking assistance and said: "I have married a woman from the Ansaar." The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied: “How much did you pay? (i.e., as dowry)” the man replied: "One hundred and sixty silver coins" the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “One hundred and sixty silver coins! It is as though some of you dig silver out from a mountain! - I have nothing to give you” (Muslim).

Another evil practice which is widespread during vacations is the satellite television channels which prepare programs especially for the summer vacation. They prepare for these just as people prepare to face an enemy; they compete in broadcasting the most seductive programs which destroy chastity and persevere in this so that the noble manners which people might have acquired during the year are destroyed in a very short amount of time. These channels act like a destructive hammer which destroys any trace of morality that people may have in their hearts; channels which are administered by people with no conscience that would have made them distinguish between that which is good and that which is shameless. The effect of these channels is that they eradicate the strong community bonds that exist from their roots regardless of whether we realise this or not. Moreover, some of what these channels are broadcasting may be jeopardising the social stability and security that we currently enjoy.

Something that we must realise is that those who steal people’s minds and command their ideology are no less evil than those who steal money; both types of thieves cause havoc and endanger security and stability.

We should know that it is the media that controls the minds of people and communities; it is through this that people’s ideologies are formed. The media is what should propagate issues that are of concern to the Muslims and support them, or, it could be the cause for facts to be altered or caused to disappear. If anyone wishes to know whether a nation is serious or careless, all they have to do is observe their media and the issues that it regards as important, because this is what will affect its community, both in a positive and negative manner.

Slaves of Allaah! Fear Allaah during your summer vacations and stay far away from the satanic gatherings which lead people to destruction. Allaah says that which translates as: “And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong … ” (An-Nahl: 92).

Second Khutbah:

There are two other important issues which are not any less significant than what has already been mentioned regarding evil practices during vacations, and these are travelling to the lands of the disbelievers and to Muslim countries which are in essence not much different from the disbelieving countries.

It is a well known fact that anybody who is serious and fears their Lord, Who has bestowed His bounties upon him, would never spend anything on that which would result in his destruction. On the other hand, there are others who have gone to ridiculous extremes in their entertainment and have begun to think that they are imprisoned in their homes and countries. They have slighted things which they used to consider as serious and vital, and this has got to the point where these people have become accustomed to vacationing with no apparent consideration of whether this entails seeing shameless things which Allaah has prohibited, such as nudity and other disgusting matters.

Moreover, some committed practicing Muslims who are exposed to this become weaker in performing their obligatory duties, or perform them but accompanied by shame and embarrassment, as if they are stealing something; they may offer their prayers in the midst of loud music, which would destroy their tranquillity and concentration.

Abu Haamid Al-Ghazaali, may Allaah have mercy upon him, mentioned some types of vacationing by saying: "Continuous vacationing and entertainment destroy the heart. Some people wish for nothing except to boast and have a fine reputation, which leads them to resemble the people of great disobedience in the way they talk, their habits, the way they perform some acts of worship and their manners. They think highly of themselves and think they are doing well. How foolish is the one who cannot differentiate between being healthy and a having a wound which is swollen; such people are despised by Allaah, because Allaah hates unutilised youth, and the only thing which led such people to this type of vacationing is unutilised youth".

Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "If travelling through the land is not for the purpose of seeking knowledge or propagating Islaam, then it is prohibited."

Imaam Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "Travelling (for entertainment) is not recommended in Islaam nor was it the practice of the Prophets and the righteous, because it distracts the heart" and when he was asked once about amusement, he, may Allaah have mercy upon him replied: "No, rather, amusement is attained by frequently going to the mosque."

Slaves of Allaah! Fear Allaah regarding your vacations and take a serious stance towards finding the proper way of utilising and preserving your time. In order to realise the importance of this issue, we must know that everybody will have to answer five questions, which were mentioned by the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Abu Barzah, may Allaah be pleased with him: narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “No person’s feet will be able to move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about five things: how he spent his life; how he utilised his youth; how he earned his wealth and how he spent it; and what he did with his knowledge” (Tirmidhi).