Finding Islam

51: Dinner - Imitation of Kuffar

I want you guys to kill this chapter with comments. Let's see how many we can get 🙊

- KING'S POV -

"Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, brothers, and sisters, if there are any here." Our sheikh spoke into his microphone right after we had finished praying fajr. I crossed my leg and put my prayer beads around my neck loosely as I got comfy.

Usually the post-fajr reminders were not that lengthy since people had work or school etc, but they were beneficial as the part of the day which had the most goodness in it, was the time that spanned from Fajr to sunrise.

It is mustahabb to stay in the mosque after Fajr prayer until the sun rises, because this is what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions did, and because there is great reward in that. Muslim (670) narrated from Jaabir ibn Samurah that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had prayed Fajr, he would sit in his prayer place until the sun had risen properly.

And Muslim also narrated (670) that Sammaak ibn Harb said: I said to Jaabir ibn Samurah: Did you sit with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? He said: Yes, frequently. He would not get up from the place in which he had prayed Fajr until the sun had risen, and when the sun had risen he would get up. They used to chat and talk about matters of the Jaahiliyah, and they would laugh but he smiled.

Al-Tirmidhi narrated a Hadith which isnaad is Hasan. It states that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation then sits remembering Allaah until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and 'Umrah." He said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "In full, in full, in full."

"Wa alaykum salam." I spoke softly, a low murmur of the same phrase erupting from all the men seated around us.

"Today, inshaaAllah, I want to talk about non-Muslim customs. Not specifically them, but a trend that seems to be happening more frequently as of late. This may trigger a few people." He spoke, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "But I want you all to keep an open-mind inshaaAllah ta'ala, and I want you guys to put your hands on your heart and really understand that I am coming from a good place. A place of sincerity and love fi sabilillah. You are all my brothers in faith and I am responsible for advising you, the same way you all are responsible for advising me and each other." He spoke clearly.

Although this imam was quite younger than our previous one, I loved how he always strive to make his talks accomodating to both the youth and the senior generation. He made sure to make everyone feel equally included.

"When I personally think about Muslims imitating and copying non-Muslim traditions and customs, the first people that come to mind are Muslims who celebrate Christmas, Easter, New Year's Day...and on a finer scale, those who celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and the like. Bear with me here, because I can already see some brothers looking a bit horrified." He laughed, raising his hand out in a calm down motion.

"But sheikh, my wife will kill me if I don't buy flowers on anniversary!" One of the mid-aged uncles shouted and a roar of laughter echoed around the masjid, including me.

The sheikh settled down from his laughter and gave the man an apologetic look. "May Allah put more and more barakah into your marriage, akhi." He spoke. "I'm going to get to the anniversaries in a little bit." He promised. "But first, I want to start with the classic Hadith that I'm sure you've all heard surrounding this topic." He said and immediately I knew which Hadith he was going to mention.