Open Display of Indecency

Authored by: Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab (رحمہ اللہ)
Translated by: Maulana Mukhtar Ahmad Nadwi (حفظ اللہ)

Allah’s Condemnation of Indecent Acts​

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

"وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَا آبَاءَنَا وَاللَّـهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَا قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّـهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٭ قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ"

"And when they commit an immorality, they say, 'We found our fathers doing it, and Allah has ordered us to do it.' Say, 'Indeed, Allah does not order immorality. Do you say about Allah that which you do not know?' Say, 'My Lord has ordered justice and that you maintain yourselves [in worship of Him] at every place or time of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion. Just as He originated you, you will return.'"
(Surah Al-A'raf 7:28-29)

Explanation of "Fahisha"​

The term fahisha in this context refers to particularly heinous and indecent acts. According to some Mufassirun (commentators), it denotes idolatry and nakedness during tawaf around the Ka'bah.

Imam Farra’ explains that fahisha specifically refers to the practice of performing tawaf while naked. The verse rebukes those who justify such indecent acts by claiming:

1. Imitating Ancestors: They would say, "We found our fathers doing this."
2. Ascribing It to Allah: They falsely claimed, "Allah ordered us to do this."

Allah refutes these baseless justifications by stating that He never commands indecency and immorality.

Jahiliyyah Practices in Tawaf​

During the time of Jahiliyyah, the Quraysh and other Arab tribes introduced various innovations and superstitions into the rituals of pilgrimage. These included:

1. Naked Tawaf:
   Both men and women performed tawaf around the Ka'bah without clothing. Women, while partially covering themselves, would recite:
   "اليوم يبدوا بعضه ادكله . . . وما بدامنه فلا احله"
   "Today, part of it will appear, but whatever appears, I do not make lawful."
2. Restriction of Clothing:
   Arabs mandated that pilgrims discard their usual clothing upon entering the Haram and replace them with garments specifically purchased or borrowed for the pilgrimage. If this was not possible, they would perform the tawaf unclothed.
3. Abstention from Food:
   Out of reverence for the sacred months, they refrained from eating fat and other wholesome foods.

False Attributions to Religion​

The pagans claimed that their indecent practices were part of the religion of Ibrahim (عليه السلام). They concocted these false traditions without any divine command or proof, turning their innovations into religious obligations. Allah exposes the baselessness of their claims in the Quran:

"قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ"

"Say, 'My Lord has ordered justice.'"

Modern-Day Parallels​

Even today, many self-proclaimed Muslims have adopted practices similar to the Jahiliyyah traditions:

1. Innovations in Worship:
   
   • Music and dancing in mosques under the guise of worship.
   • Circumambulation of graves and presenting vows (nazr) at gravesites, considering it an act of devotion.
2. Ascetic Extremism:
   
   • Self-imposed restrictions on lawful provisions, adornments, and comforts to appear pious.
   • Invented practices like seclusion (chilla), excessive fasting, and other forms of ritual hardship.
3. False Justifications:
   
   • Just as the people of Jahiliyyah claimed that their practices were commanded by Allah, these innovators often claim divine or prophetic endorsement for their misguided acts.

Reflection on Accountability​

The Quran warns such individuals of the inevitable Day of Judgment:

"الي ديان يومه الدين نمضي . . . وعند الله تجتمع الخصوم"

"To the Judge of the Day of Judgment we shall proceed, and with Allah all disputes will be settled."

On that day, all false justifications, innovations, and deviations will be exposed, and the wrongdoers will face the consequences of their actions.

Conclusion​

The open display of indecency, whether through nakedness, idolatry, or modern-day innovations, is a deviation from the religion of Allah. The Quran categorically rejects such acts and commands justice, sincerity, and adherence to the original teachings of Islam. Believers must abandon innovations and adhere strictly to the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah to avoid the fate of those who follow the misguided practices of Jahiliyyah.