Dear brother, We have always read your column with growing interest & awe at the strange practices of the Bohra community. To us these practices sound very alien and clearly seem against the true deen as taught by the Holy Quran; but I suppose to someone who has grown up watching his parents and community carrying on in this way and who has been taught since childhood that this is the right way, it seems natural. Such people need to be taught with great patience and understanding. And Allah always shows the light to whomsoever he pleases.You have indeed done an amazing job with this helpline to help fellow Muslims come to the straight path. May Allah give you the fitting sawaab for your help, amin. May Allah always keep us on the straight path, amin. We are of Sunni origin and we too have a few practices which I wonder are correct or simply an innovation. Is it proper to hold gatherings for khatm-e-Quran, for the collective reading of Surah Yasin or Ayat-e-Karima for a given number of times? Please give me evidence, if any, of these practices done at the time of our Prophet (PBUH). I, personally, think this is a form of `bidat` but when I tell my friends and family so, they reply by saying `what is the harm in reading the Quran or asking people to our house for this purpose`. I also agree with that, but, I`m not sure if it is right or not. Please let us know what the correct way is. Awaiting your reply, A Sister in Islam I am curious to find out the usual practise of this rasm known as "Quran Khowani" as a housewarming event when one moves to a new abode. This is a standard practice in Pakistan esp in Karachi, middle-class families. I need to know the relevance of this in the light of Koran and Sunnah, OR is this just another innovation(biddah)?
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
The Holy Quran are the very words or our Lord and Creator, which have been revealed for our guidance.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 1-2: Alif. Laam. Meem. This is the Book of Allah; there is no doubt about it. It is a guidance to the God-Fearing people.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Isra (Bani Israel) verse 9-10: Indeed, the Quran shows the way which is perfectly straight. To those who believe in it and do good deeds, it gives the good news that there is a great reward for them. And to those who do not believe in the Hereafter, it gives the warning that a painful torment has been prepared for them.
The Quran has been revealed by Allah to show mankind the deen or way of life that is acceptable to Allah. It makes a clear distinction between what Allah loves and approves, and what Allah Subhanah hates and disapproves. Whoever claims to love Allah and fear the Last Day, it is incumbent upon him to read, understand and follow every commandment of the Glorious Quran.
If one follows the commandments of the Holy Quran, Allah will bless him in this world and in the hereafter. But if one does not follow the commandments of the Holy Quran, and instead of taking guidance from it, uses it only for outwardly ‘Baraka’ and ‘Shifa’, it is not possible. The Quran was not revealed for gracing special occasions! The Quran was not revealed for housewarming or any such celebrations! The Quran was not revealed for organizing a ‘Quran Khowani’! The Glorious Quran was revealed by the Lord of the Worlds to guide mankind out of the ways of ignorance and darkness, to the light and noor of guidance.
I am aware of this practice of ‘Quran Khowani’, not only in Pakistan, but across many muslim nations of the world. But this practise of gathering people and sitting and reciting the Holy Quran on a special occasion is not part of Islam. It is a clear innovation (bidah)! There is absolutely no evidence that the Messenger of Allah (saws) ever performed this kind of ritual. There is absolutely no evidence of this ritual in any of the aayahs of the Holy Quran!
And if something was not performed by the Messenger of Allah (saws), it is termed as an innovation or bidah. And there is absolutely no doubt that this ‘Quran Khowani’ is nothing but an innovation, and we must stay clear of every innovation in the deen of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Every innovation is a sin, and sins lead to the Hell-Fire.”
It has been reported in an authentic narration that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “Whoever introduces a ‘bida’ (innovation) in this deen brought by me (saws), it will be rejected.”
It has been reported by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (r.a.) that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His angels, and by all the people.”
It has been reported by Jabir ibn Abdullah (r.a.) in another authentic narration that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”
And Allah Alone Knows Best, and He is the Only Source of Strength.
May Allah guide you and us all to the Straight Path of Islam. May Allah guide you and us to follow the Messenger of Allah (saws), and stay away from every innovation and bidah that have unfortunately crept up in the deen of Islam. May Allah have mercy on the Islamic Ummah and guide them and unite them to form One Ummah that worships and invokes none but Allah Subhanah Alone. Ameen.
May Allah guide you and us all to the Siraat al-Mustaqeem
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
Burhan
