Articles

World Interfaith Harmony Week
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 29-03-2022

World Interfaith Harmony Week

 

By Grand Mufti,

Sheikh AbdulKareem Al-Khasawneh

 

Grand Mufti`s Statement during the Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week

 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may the blessings of Allah be upon our Master the Hashemite Arab Prophet and upon all his companions and whoever followed their path till the Day of Judgment:

On this blessed day, we celebrate "The World Interfaith Harmony Week" that was launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II in the first week of February to be an annual season to harvest the good and blessed fruits of the tree he had planted; under whose shades the world took shelter to enjoy peace and security. Religious thinkers and believers have watered and took care of this tree. Being the tree of love and harmony, it wouldn`t produce but good, peace, and stability for the whole world; spread love, and eliminated hatred and animosity. This is particularly true since it was planted by pure Hashemite hands that draw their blessings and strength from their direct connection to the Prophet Mohammad who was sent as mercy to all creations. Allah says (What means): "And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [al-Anbiya' 21:107].

Muslims and Christians of this blessed country (Jordan) have always been and always will be a unique model of human brotherhood, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. Through their national belonging and religious doctrine, adherents of both faiths strive to preserve Jordan, and instill values of citizenship in its citizens. In their noble quest to build Jordan, they united under the flag of the Hashemites to which they have pledged allegiance and swore loyalty. Thus, this flag was embraced by hearts before pledges, and protected by souls before weapons,. This is because it is blessed and has spread justice and all that is good to the people of Jordan. Enlightened by the following verse : " We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation." A-Isra`, 70}, this flag sought to preserve the honor and dignity of all Jordanians as human beings. By doing so, it established the relationship between Jordanians on the basis of equal rights and obligations. This concept is based on a key principle of Islamic Law reflected in the following verse: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you." {Al-Hujurat, 13}.

This blessed Week came to present to the whole world the true universal message of Islam, which calls for spreading love and harmony between people. This fact is the true, divine, eternal constitution governing the relationship between Muslims and followers of other faiths regardless of time, place, or circumstances. A fact and a law so precious that it should be written with letters from light and lines from gold, and will be alive in the Muslim nation`s conscience and doctrine till the Day of Judgment. It is manifested in the following verse: "God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loveth those who are just." {Al-Mumtahinah, 8}. This verse is pretty clear in determining that the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims is based on a great matter: showing kindness to others before justice and showing love to them to be rewarded with the love of Allah. Dear respectable audience, behold how Almighty Allah addressed non-Muslims with the kindest of words that bring hearts together: "O people of the Book!" and "Those who have received the scripture." This is used in about sixty places throughout the Noble Quran, and this form of address shows a great deal of respect and appreciation to the addressees, because attributing the Book to a nation means attributing science and knowledge to it.

Accordingly, being a nation of goodness; as described by Allah, and moderation; as chosen by Allah, it is the responsibility of the Muslim nation to complete the mission of the Prophets and Messengers, and to be the last building block of human civilization. All of this dictates that the Muslim nation leaves no stone unturned to spread goodness, love, and harmony amongst people, and establish ties between them based on harmony and knowing each other; of course in light of the divine rules derived from the Quran and the guidance of the Chosen One; Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). This task was undertaken by the Hashemite family emanating from their religious and national responsibility to portray the correct and luminous image of Islam to stop the extremists, terrorists, and sedition mongers from hijacking Islam and abusing the faith through exaggeration and strictness. The result, as witnessed by the whole world, a wave of terrorist and extremist acts in the name of Islam undermining world peace and security, in addition to destroying societies and countries.

Thanks to Allah and the tight ties amongst the Jordanians, we managed to overcome that wave of extremist and Takfiri groups. Holding fast to our true religion, Hashemite flag, and peaceful coexistence gave no room for such groups.

We ask Allah to bless our country with peace and security under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, and to bless the whole world with permanent love, peace, and harmony, as Allah loves and pleases. And all praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for a young man and a young woman to enter into a covenant as a married couple without having a true seclusion (Khalwah) until their marriage contract is officially concluded?

The relation which isn`t based on a marriage contract is forbidden, and entering into a covenant as a married couple is unaccounted for and is from the evil suggestions of the devil.

Is the one who gives up on marriage because he can`t afford it considered sinful?

Marriage is desirable, but one who can`t afford it isn`t considered sinful. However, he should supplicate to Allah, and seek His forgiveness.

What is the wisdom behind legislating the Udhiyah?

The Muslim must know that through the Uḍḥiyah, he complies with the command of Allah, the Exalted, and performs a worship that brings him closer to Allah and distances him from the Fire.
 
The Uḍḥiyah holds profound wisdoms and noble meanings, including:
 
1-Reviving the Sunnah of Abraham, peace be upon him: He complied with Allah's command when He ordered him to slaughter his son Ishmael. Abraham, peace be upon him, succeeded in the test, and when he was about to slaughter his son, Allah sent down a ram to ransom Ishmael and commanded him to slaughter it instead. Allah, the Exalted, says {what means]: "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." [Al-Ṣāffāt/102-107]. Thus, the sacrificial offering became an enduring Sunnah until the Day of Judgment, and Muslims offer their wealth as sacrifices, drawing closer to Allah, the Exalted, reviving this great Sunnah.
 
2-Providing abundance for people on Eid day and the Days of Tashrīq: Among the wisdoms of the Uḍḥiyah is that the Muslim provides generously for his family, neighbors, relatives, and the poor during these days. The Muslim is encouraged to eat from his sacrifice, give charity from it to the poor, and gift from it to his wealthy neighbors. Thus, goodness spreads throughout the entire community. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." (Narrated by Muslim). Allah, the Exalted, says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Ḥajj/36]. This good includes the good of both this world and the Hereafter.

What should one do if they see someone deliberately eating or drinking openly during Ramadan?

They must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If they fear harm from that person, they should disapprove of it in their heart but avoid sitting with them if possible. It is also preferable to seek the help of the authorities to prevent them from doing so.