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Fatwa CenterWaleemah for memorizing Quran
Question
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barkaatuhu. I would like to ask something. I come from a small village which has a large number of Muslims, but their knowledge of the religion is not that strong. They engage in many innovations and can never accept corrections, especially from an 18-year-old like me. There is this ceremony which they perform; they call it Waleemat-ul-Quran. They hold it to celebrate those that have finished reciting, not even memorizing, the entire Quran. In this Waleemah, they do many unacceptable things, like free-mixing of both sexes, singing, and dancing.
1- I would like to know if this Waleemah is allowed in Islam.
2- I would like to receive advice as to how I can always correct them, because I cannot watch and let my people keep doing Bid‘ah (religious innovation).
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The most likely correct view in this regard is that there is no religious impediment to throwing a banquet upon memorizing the Quran as an expression of gratitude to Allah. Scholars stated that this is permissible provided that such a ceremony is free of prohibited acts such as the ones mentioned; mixing between men and women, singing, and dancing. Al-Khateeb cited in Ruwaat Maalik, and Al-Bayhaqi cited it in Shu‘ab Al-'Eemaan, that Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "‘Umar memorized Soorah Al-Baqarah in twelve years, and when he completed it, he slaughtered a camel." For more benefit, please refer to fatwa 86532.
There is no doubt that enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the greatest Islamic rituals and that it is the fundamental safety valve of the Muslim community. The callers to Allah and seekers of knowledge should shoulder this duty. It may be obligatory on the Muslim when there is no one else to do this other than him; however, the Islamic conditions in this regard must be observed, the most important of which is adhering to wisdom and weighing the benefits and evils while enjoining good and forbidding evil. Please, refer to fatwa 341197.
It is commendable to seek the help of righteous people to help you out in this regard. Allah, The Exalted, says about Prophet Moosa (Moses), may Allah exalt his mention, (what means): {And appoint for me a minister from my family. Aaron, my brother. Increase through him my strength. And let him share my task.} [Quran 20:29-32]
We ask Allah to bless you with success in your endeavors and guide your people through you. You should bear in mind the great rewards of this good deed that draws the doer closer to his Lord. The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, "By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than the most precious camels." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Allah knows best.
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