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Last Update: 04:49 GMT, Thursday, Dec. 03, 2009

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Question and Answer Details

Name of Questioner

Muslim

Title

Gloating over Someone’s Grief or Misfortunes

Question

In the wake of the event that rocked the US lately, we see that people’s reaction to this event differ. As some people run into wild excitement and joy, considering what happened as Allah’s Wrath befalling the Americans, we see others showing sympathy and sharing the American brothers their grief and sorrow. So I think this begs a question: which attitude to adopt? What does Islam say on such issue?

Date

30/Dec/2002

Name of Mufti

A Group of Islamic Researchers

Topic

Morals & Values

Answer

Wa `Alaykum As-Salam Waramatullah Wabarakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah Almighty and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, it’s unbecoming for any committed Muslim, brought up in a pure Islamic way, to gloat over people’s misfortunes, regardless of whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.

Islam forbids a Muslim from laughing over the misfortunes befalling non-Muslims, because it is required of him not to nurture grudges or hatred against anyone, even if that particular person differs with him on religion. He just has to invoke Allah for his guidance.

So in a situation like this, we should not mix cards; we should try to draw lines between our condemnation of double-standard policy practiced by the US or the West in general towards the situation involving Muslims and our showing human concern towards afflictions that befall ordinary people who have nothing to do with decision-making in the country.

Shedding more light on this issue, we’d like to cite for you the fatwa issued by Sheikh `Atiyya Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, on the issue of gloating over people’s afflictions such as death or any catastrophe:

“Actually, death is the gravest affliction befalling all human beings, without exception. At times of distress, every Muslim is required to take what happens to others as some sort of admonition, and to show sympathy for whoever happens to be the victim, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. It’s reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stood with respect at a funeral procession, and upon being told that it was for a Jew, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), replied: “Isn’t he a human being?”(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

Also, in warning Muslims against feeling happy for disaster afflicting people, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Don’t be gloating over your brother’s misfortune, for Allah may grant him relief and make you suffer the same affliction.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi).

So it’s clear from the above that happiness over people’s misfortunes run counter to the principles of Islam and teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who despite the torture inflicted on him when visiting At-Ta`if, to call its people to Islam, he turned down the Angel Jibril’s plea to invoke Allah’s Wrath on them. Rather, Muhammad, the Prophet of mercy, said: “I wish Allah will bring forth from their offspring those who will worship Him, associating no partners unto Him."

Besides, when Thumamah Ibn Aathaal levied some sort of food embargo on the Quraysh, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) didn’t consider it as a joyful occasion. Rather, he showed sympathy and even offered them food as aid.

By and large, gloating over people’s misfortunes is a trait of the hypocrites, as Allah says in the Qur’an: “If a lucky chance befall you, it is evil unto them, and if disaster strike you they rejoice thereat. But if ye persevere and keep from evil their guile will never harm you. Lo! Allah is Surrounding what they do.” (Al-Imran: 120)”

You can also read:

“May Allah Curse all Americans” Never Say Amen!

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

 

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