Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Question: Assalamu Alaikum,

Some scholars state that if a person is sitting in a place where kufr and shirk conversation is being done and he doesn’t leave or respond to that conversation he becomes kafir even though he hates these statements in his heart because apparently he is displaying kufr  and compliance with kufr is kufr. And some say that if he hates this conversation in his heart but don’t respond or leave the gathering he is save from kufr but not from sin. What’s the right scholarly opinion?

Answer: Assalamu Alaikum,

Sitting in such gatherings is totally Haraam, and a Muslim should not attend, participate or sit in such gatherings. The person will not be a Kaafir as long as he hates these statements in his heart and confesses that he is a Muslim. By sitting in such gatherings however, will make him sinful.

With respect to this prohibition, the Quran states in Surah An Nisaa (4) verse 140:

“And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together”

From this, it is evident that whenever people (in a gathering), begin to make a mockery of Allah’s verses or the religion of Islam, and conversations pertaining to Kufr and Shirk begin to take place, then it becomes totally Haraam for a believer to sit in that gathering. The verse also states that if one continues to sit in that gathering where such talks are taking place, then he will be like them. The verse states, ‘Certainly in that case you will be like them’. This means that if a person sits in a gathering in which the verses of Allah are rejected and mocked at, and enjoys such talks, and becomes pleased with these, then he will be equal in sin to those who are engaged in the talks. If his thoughts and ideas are the same, and likes the talks of Kufr and Shirk and endorses such talks, then in reality, he has become a Kafir, since, having a love for kufr, is kufr itself.
If however, this is not the case, then he will not be a Kaafir but will share the sin which others are involved in, and he will be just like the unbelievers in trying to cause harm to Islam and the Muslims.

Another verse of the Holy Quran  in Surah Al An’Am verse 68 gives a similar prohibition and it states:

“And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversion. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.”

This verse also informs the believers that when they see others disputing and arguing about the verses of the Quran, and they are also denying Allah’s verses and making a mockery of it, then they must turn away from such gatherings, and not sit with such people. (Ma’ariful Quran Vol. 2 Pgs. 584-586; Tafseer Ibn Katheer Vol. 2 Pg. 362- Idaaratul Ma’arif Karachi).

While commenting on the above verse of Sura  Al An’am, the great scholar Imam Abu Bakr Al Jasas has mentioned in his Ahkam Al Quran, ‘It is evident from this verse that whenever there is a gathering/sitting/group in which sins take place, then it is imperative upon a Muslim to stop the sins to the extent of his ability. This is because of the command of Allah in which He Has ordered the believers to invite to good and forbid evil.
If one cannot stop the sins, then he must show his displeasure to what is taking place. The least state of showing dislike for wrongdoings is to walk away from such gatherings/group.’ (Ma’ariful Quran Vol. 2 Pgs. 585,586 – Idaaratul Ma’arif Karachi).

Based on the verse in Sura Al An’am which states:

“And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversion. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people.”

the commentators have stated, ‘Included in this prohibition also, is the act of sitting in the gathering of such people who, while discussing the verses of the Holy Quran, change the message and meaning of the Holy Quran and give explanations and commentaries of the Holy Quran which are opposing to that which has been given by the Sahabahs and upon which there is Ijma (consensus) of the Ummah. Those who engage in such actions and give wrong explanations of the Holy Quran to support their wrong beliefs and innovations are condemned in this verse as mentioned by Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A). Allah Has instructed the believers to turn away from such gatherings/sittings or whenever people are holding such discussions.’

Based on this verse, the scholars have stated that if someone is giving classes on the commentary of the Quran and he is not explaining the verses based on the commentaries given by the pious predecessors (Saahabahs, Tabi’een), but instead, opposes them, then it is not permissible to sit in such classes; Instead of gaining blessings, he will be sinful. The great commentator Abu Hayan has stated in his Tafseer, Bahr Al Muheet, ‘From the verses, it is known that whatever is sinful to utter with the tongue, it is equally sinful to intentionally listen to it with the ear.’ (Ma’ariful Quran Vol. 2 Pg. 584, Idaratul Ma’arif Karachi).

And Allah Knows best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

19/11/2014