World of Tasawwuf

It was one of our final evenings in Makkah with our Shaykh, the room was over spilling with visitors as usual. We were sat at the back of the gathering and noticed one particular visitor was asking all the questions. He introduced himself as a pilgrim from Pakistan, who was most familiar and acquainted with Hadrat's background and that of many other Scholars of the Ahl as Sunnah wal Jama'ah as well. He mentioned Hadrat's fatwa [legal ruling] about 'the permissibility of video filming of Islamic functions' and the beneficial impact it has thus far had particularly in his homeland, Pakistan. He was also aware of Hadrat 'Ghazali e Zaman' Allamma Sayyad Ahmed Sa'eed Kazmi Rahmatullahi Alay's authentication of the same.

Hadrat clarified and explained the grounds for the issue of the fatwa for the benefit of everyone else present in the room...

'During the advent and introduction of the video cassette recorder (VCR) we noticed within a short space of time how it quickly became an integral everyday household item. Thus the concept of a 'family cinema outing' was brought right to our very living rooms. When certain people decided to use this new found technology for religious purposes there were certain voices of dissent heard under the grounds of photo and photography being rendered Haraam [forbidden]. I decided to do a little research on this issue and asked questions to some highly professional personnel who were qualified on this subject in India and during my visits to America. From the information I received it was quite clear that the recording function on the 'VHS' tape does not produce an image/photo as we see on the negative film of an old conventional snapshot camera, but rather the 'movie' recording is performed via magnetic rays transformed onto the 'film' similar in the manner of voice recording on the 'audio' tapes. On this basis I assessed that the mere function and running of these machines even inside the Masjid was perfectly legitimate as no image or photo is produced or portrayed during the time of recording. As long as the action being recorded is legal and legitimate this new technology could be used as a means of propagation.

It is important to understand that certain items or objects are neither 'halal' nor 'Haraam' but rather it is our action and how we intend to use and utilise these items that is deemed prohibited or permitted. For example a knife that is used for cutting fruit is totally permissible but if the same knife is used to inflict harm on a fellow human it is clearly prohibited. A TV screen used to watch images of the 'Haramain ash-Sharifain', to see the words and listen to the recitation of the Noble Qur'an, to see and hear praises of the Noble Prophet and lectures on the Seerah ‘life’ of the Blessed Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam is perfectly legal however to use the same TV screen to watch images of unsavoury, undisciplined, violent and rude nature is illegal. In short whatever is deemed permissible 'halal' to see with our normal vision in the outside world is permissible to see on the screen within the four corners of our television room and whatever is forbidden to see and look at normally with our eyes is illegal to view on the screen. So it depends on our intentions and action, how we utilise the item that makes it halal or Haraam. Another important factor influencing the issue of the 'fatwa' was the fact that many of our household members particularly the women cannot always attend religious gatherings and functions. The advent of the video tape made it possible for them to gain the same knowledge, reward and blessings with out leaving their homes, hence instead of the family get together to watch worldly films there is now a choice and a range of Islamic tapes also available.

Those who attempted to ridicule Hadrat's ruling are now resigned to accept it as commendable and have started to trickle on to the screens. This should be a lesson and a warning to all who do not respect those who speak with a pure heart, profound knowledge and prolific wisdom. For those whom Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has given honour, none can dishonour and those whom Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala dishonours can never be honourable.

Hadrat's explanation and all the points they raised made so much sense. Their wisdom and vision in the mid-eighties when the video players first became part of an everyday item in our living rooms and the advancement of technology since then with the introduction of satellite TV, Islamic TV channels, Islamic websites and digital recording mechanisms makes one admit and realise that this is an essential way to carry the message of Islam forward to the next generation and to the non-Muslims. Every one who uses these channels and means to enhance their knowledge of Islam must feel indebted to Shaykh al Islam, who must surely be gaining the reward of every good that is achieved through the issue of the 'fatwa'. Even the vast majority of the 'naat khawans' naat reciters we see nowadays on our screens have recently acknowledged that it is commendable to propagate love for the Noble Prophet peace be upon him through technology and digital TV, where as previously their audience was very limited since they were very much camera shy and refused video filming. In the words of Hadrat Ghazi e Millat Allama Pir Sayyad Hashmi Miya Ashrafi al Jilani, Hadrat's young brother, 'this is a living 'karamah' of Shaykh al Islam that those who opposed and dismissed the initial fatwa are now resigned to accept it as a commendable act'.