Gatherings That Allah Likes and Dislikes

(Humans cannot stay in isolation but need to be amongst others. There are good and bad people around us, some of them make life easy and upright for us while others make it difficult, and so it becomes essential at times to avoid the latter gatherings. We choose a gathering because we are either at times like them and enjoy such gatherings, or at times, we find ourselves in a gathering unwilling while lacking the courage to stop them or to get up and walk out. This article discusses such gatherings which Allah likes for His worshippers to be present within and for which receive blessing, and those gatherings that He dislikes His worshippers from being a part of because as they bring about harm to their worldly life and hereafter.) One of the characteristics of the successful believer is mentioned in the Quran,

“And those who turn away from al laghw.” [Surah Mo’minoon: 3]

Lagw refers to any conversation or situation that is useless and sinful and harmful to the character of an individual or a society as a whole. It can be dancing, music, backbiting, false news, rituals of disbelievers, immodest novels or even vulgar billboards. In Surah Furqan, Allah explains to the believers how to deal with such useless, time wasting and sinful gatherings.

“If they pass by it, they pass by with dignity (without inclining towards them).” [Surah Furqan: 72]

Many such gatherings around us tempt us to be involved in sins. It could be a mixed gender college gathering with entertainment, dancing or a stand-up comedy show. It could be a cinema theatre where people sit together and entertain themselves with adultery, violence, mockery and other sinful acts. Most of us take such gatherings as trifle disobedience, if we even come to realize or are reminded about them. Let us examine a few such gatherings which Allah has cautioned us about. Idle Chattering and Frivolous Gatherings Gatherings where people engage in idle talk, gossip, or trivial matters. Such gatherings divert attention from the remembrance of Allah and productive discussions. We see today that at weddings, family gatherings, and even funerals, people do not speak about mindful topics but instead gossip or have materialistic discussions. Many family gatherings end up breaking relations and increase distances between spouses and brothers. It has been reported,

“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to forbid qil and qal (idle useless talk or that you talk too much about others).” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 7292)

Allah says,

“No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah – then we are going to give him a great reward.”  [Surah Nisa’: 114]

In the above verse, Allah declares the ethics of gatherings, and that it should be for reconciliation or guiding people, otherwise, it damages the prospectus of the hereafter. Umm Kulthum bint `Uqbah said that she heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying,

“He who brings about reconciliation between people by embellishing good or saying good things, is not a liar.” 

He also said,

“Spoiling the relationship (between people) is the destroyer.”

Materialistic Gatherings and Worldly Pursuits Commercial gatherings in markets and offices are cantered around materialism, wealth, and worldly pursuits, and it divert from the remembrance of Allah. True fulfilment lies in seeking Allah’s pleasure, not material gains. That is why attending the Friday gathering is obligatory. Allah says,

“O You who believe, When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then hurry to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is best for you if only you knew. Once the prayer is over, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah.” [Surah Al Jumuah: 9-11]

Friday is called Al-Jumu`ah because it is derived from Al-Jam which means the gathering. The meaning of sa`y (hasten) here does not refer to walking quickly. It only refers to the importance of it. Hasan Basri commented, “By Allah! Hastening to the prayer is not accomplished by the feet. Indeed, they were prohibited from coming to prayer without tranquillity and dignity; rather, it is about the hearts, the intention, and the submission.” In the above verse Allah mention, “It is good for you if you know,” indicating that there is a lot of good in such a gathering. The scholars agree that it is forbidden to be engaged in work and business once the adhan for Friday is called. (Ibn Kathir: Vol,9, pg 644) Though Allah forbade Muslims from working after hearing the adhan and ordered them to gather for the Friday prayer, He allowed them to spread throughout the earth and seek bounty after the prayer is finished. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that when the Friday prayer finished, `Irak bin Malik would stand by the gate of the Masjid and invoke Allah, saying, “O Allah! I have accepted and complied with Your call, performed the prayer You ordered and dispersed as You ordered me. Therefore, grant me Your favour and You are the best of those who grant provisions.” (Al Qurtubi,18:108) Gatherings of Innovations: A Wrong Company Can Lead You to the Destruction of Your Faith and Hereafter Gatherings promoting innovations (bid’ah) can lead away from authentic Islamic practices. The Messenger of Allah declared,

“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” (Sahih Bukhari: 2697 and Muslim: 1718)

Once Abu Musa informed Abdullah ibn Masud that he saw some people in the Prophet’s Mosque sitting in circles waiting for the prayer. In every circle, there was a man, in whose hands were pebbles. He would say, “Say Allahu akbar (Allah is Most Great) one hundred times,” and they would say Allahu akbar one hundred times. He would say, “Say Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (there is no god but Allah) one hundred times,” and they would say Laa ilaaha ill-Allah one hundred times. He would say, “Say Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to Allah) one hundred times,” and they would say Subhaan-Allah one hundred times. He scolded them, “Count your bad deeds, for I guarantee to you that none of your good deeds will be lost. Woe to you, O nation of Muhammad! How quickly you have become doomed! His companions are still alive, and his cloak has not worn out, and his vessel is not yet broken. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you are either following a way that is more guided than the way of Muhammad or you are opening the door to misguidance.” They said, “By Allah, O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahmaan, we intended nothing but good.” He said, “How many of those who intended good did not achieve it.” The narrator says, “I saw most of these men along with the Kharijites in later years.” Those youth went out of the fold of Islam and joined the extremist Kharijites who rebelled against Ali. (Al-Darimi: 204) Gatherings Where the Religion of Allah is Made Fun of and Mocked In this age of social media and stand-up comedy, even Muslims have begun to make jokes to make people laugh and many times they over step the limits established by Allah. They may make fun of Islamic values, such as polygamy, multiple children, festivals, etc. Allah has warned not only against it, but has also warn to avoid such people, gathering and entertainment.

 “When you see those engaged in a false conversation about our verse, stay away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan causes you to forget, do not remain with the wrong people after the reminder.” [Surah Al Anam: 68]

Surah Al Anam is Makki Surah, and later in Madinah Allah made it a more strict order to abstain from such gatherings or else the participant may be included amongst them.

“He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed, then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them. Surely Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.” [Surah Nis’a:140]

The above verse offers a severe warning to those who indulge and also those who enjoy such gatherings, considering them to be innocent entertainment while in reality they are a big sin. Allah is referring to His instruction mentioned in Surah Al Anam to keep away from such gatherings. Ibn Kathir says, “This verse is a general command for every Believer.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Surah Al Anam, 68) Do Not Underestimate The Company of Virtuous Anas ibn Malik reported,

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘When you pass by the meadows of Paradise, graze as you like.’ They asked, ‘What are the meadows of Paradise?’ He said, ‘Circles of remembrance.’” (Tirmidhi: 3510, Hasan, according to Suyuti)

The Prophet was commanded to be in the company of the people of dhikr, which means those who clung to religious duties in remembrance and application.

“And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.” [Surah Kahf: 28]

The above verse instructs us not to underestimate the people of tawhid even if they are poor or weak. It was said that this was revealed about the nobles of Quraysh when they asked the Prophet to sit with them and to not bring with him his weak Companions, such as Bilal, `Ammar, Suhayb, Khabbab, and Ibn Mas`ud. So Allah refused to permit and instructed him not to discard such companions. (Muslim: vol 4, 1878)

This is contrary to many of us who prefer to be seen and identified as close to the rich, influential and famous, though Allah has taught us not to get mesmerised by such pomp and show. The company of religiously upright people emit positivity in us, and we gain spiritual strength from their words, actions and manners. The company of materialistic gatherings will make us greedy and ignore reality.

“And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, the splendour of this life of this world, that we may test them thereby but the provision of your Lord is more lasting.” [Surah Taha: 131]