Question:

Recently, I witnessed a dispute inside one of our local masjids over the issue of shorts and salaah. We have an elderly brother who's happens to be the designated care-taker of the masjid. This masjid also has a full time school. Most of the kids that come for afternoon prayers wear long shorts up to their knees. However, sitting down, sometimes the shorts are stretched upwards so much so that their awrah becomes exposed. The elderly brother yesterday started complaining loudly about this issue saying that it affects everyone's prayers. He severely criticized them for misbehavior and even called out their parents and others for failing to check this practice. Everyone in the masjid stayed silent over this. I would like to know if it was appropriate for him to correct this issue in such manner of if some other way should have been adopted towards this problem? Also, will it be OK to advise this elderly brother if this wasn't the best way to approach it?

Answer:

That such a sin was taking place in a Masjid is very lamentable. Sometimes I feel, in a time when evil is becoming rampant and there are only a handful of true servants of Allah taala who will stand up to and speak against it, we need to instead of condemning such people recognize the real good behind their act, for it is highly beloved to Allah taala. To stop evil, in this age, whether it be stopping free intermingling, Music, brothers with unislamic hair cuts (short back and sides)or wearing gold rings, or sisters wearing skin tight clothes etc, is an act the blessings and reward for which are immeasurable, and thus we should have patience with these rare servants of Allah taala and rather appreciate them. Having said this, certainly the method of stopping evil could have been done in a better way, and if one can advise the brother in a gentle manner on being more discreet it will be praiseworthy.

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.