❖ The Islamic Ruling on Processions Taken Out from Mosques
Excerpted from: "Ahkām al-Masājid" by Shaykh Muhammad Munir Qamar
❖ Processions from Mosques – A Violation of Mosque Etiquettes
Among the actions that go against the etiquettes and sanctity of the mosque is the practice adopted by some individuals who, on various occasions throughout the year, gather their disciples, deputies, and associates inside the mosque and then march out in an organized procession.
These processions often include:
- Waving of flags
- Beating of drums and musical instruments
- Starting the gathering at a particular point and then moving in a structured formation
In some of these processions, blatantly un-Islamic actions and open innovations (Bid‘āt) are committed—actions which have no connection whatsoever to the religion of Islam or its teachings. In fact, some behaviors are so absurd that they provoke laughter among the foolish and grief among the wise.
❖ Contradiction Between Claimed Principles and Actual Practices
These individuals, according to their own words, claim to uphold:
✔ Sincerity
✔ Love for solitude
✔ Detachment from people
✔ Avoidance of idle speech
✔ Constant engagement in Dhikr (remembrance) and Fikr (reflection)
✔ Night worship and Tahajjud
✔ Independence from worldly needs
✔ Strict adherence to the Sunnah
Yet practically, they do not care for these principles.
◉ Innovations have replaced Sunnahs, and the Shari‘ah has been sacrificed at the altar of desires.
One only needs to compare their written or spoken principles with their actual practices, and the reality will become crystal clear.
- Where is their inner purification and sincerity, and where are these public spectacles?
- Where is their claim of seclusion, and where are these showy parades?
- Where is their claim to Dhikr and humility, and where is this riding of horses with drums beating?
- Where is the detachment from people, and where is the eagerness for public attention?
- Where is the avoidance of ostentation, and where is this strutting and parading in front of thousands?
With all of this happening, what meaning remains in their talks of spiritual rectitude or the role of a Shaykh?
❖ Worldly Gain Behind the Facade of Spirituality
It becomes evident that all of this is motivated by worldly interests and financial benefit.
✔ The dancing to the beat of drums,
✔ The bhangras and wild dances,
✔ The screaming and shouting—
All of this projects a false and misleading image of Muslims to non-Muslims.
These non-Muslims are aware that Islamic worship is characterized by calmness, humility, and deep reverence.
But when they see those who outwardly appear pious dancing and swaying, they can only form a distorted image of Islam.
Such actions are a source of aversion for non-Muslims towards Islam.
❖ No Precedent in the Life of the Prophet ﷺ or the Salaf
It is a known fact that scholars of history and Seerah have preserved the life of the Prophet ﷺ in great detail.
Is there any record of such actions being performed?
The answer is a resounding no.
✔ None of these acts are found in the recorded statements, actions, or movements of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Neither the Rightly Guided Caliphs,
✔ Nor the Sahabah,
✔ Nor the Tābi‘ūn,
✔ Nor the great Imams,
✔ Nor even the early Sufis,
—none ever practiced such things, especially in connection with mosques.
These are innovations and inventions that came long after the blessed generations.
Hence, it is only wise to abstain from participating in such processions and avoid contributing to their prominence.
Excerpted and summarized from: "Islāh al-Masājid", pp. 267–269
