MUJLISUL ULAMA OF S.A. P.O. Box 3393 Port Elizabeth 6056, South Africa THE ASTRO TURF 2 THE COMMUNITY’S FIRST LETTER OF COMPLAINT The following is a verbatim reproduction of the letter by concerned members of the Empangeni Muslim community: “The musjid in Empangeni has decided with the approval of Mufti Ebrahim Desai to build an astro turf soccer field on the musjid premises, whilst the premises is waqf. The project is spearheaded by the main Imaam and a collection drive is on for the funds of approximately R450 000. The organizers feel that they will attract people to the musjid and save them from the evils out there. The usual suspects that are being followed are the Ulema and community in Stanger (apparently Stanger has a similar facility in their muslim school yard). This astro turf will apparently be open to females asking them to adhere to purdah whilst they make use of the facility. The project seems rushed to beat anyone putting a stop to it. 1) Can such a project be done on waqf land? 2) Can females play sport in the musjid yard? 3) Should the organizers lease the land and pay a fee to the musjid? (End of letter) Brief answers (1) It is haraam to construct this satanic project even upon Waqf land. Using the Musjid’s Waqf land for THE ASTRO TURF 3 this purely shaitaani project is a crime of capital proportions. It is haraam without a shred of doubt. (2) It is undoubtedly HARAAM for females to participate in the shaitaani sporting activities the haraam astro turf will be catering for. When it is not permissible for them to visit even the Musjid, how can any Muslim with sound Aql and sound Imaan ever condone and promote female participation in baatil? (3) It is haraam for the Empangeni Muslim Society to lease any portion of the Waqf land for this haraam project. The rent acquired from the haraam project may not be used for the Musjid. The following statement was released in response to the abovementioned letter of the Empangeni Muslims: A HARAAM SHAITAANI ASTRO TURF FOR EMPANGENI Several concerned Brothers have written to query the Shariah’s ruling on the proposed construction of an astro turf at Empangeni in Natal. The satanic sports field with all its haraam paraphernalia will be on the Waqf land of the Musjid. Some ulama-e-soo’ – agents of Iblees – are spearheading this moral and spiritual disaster. Haraam sporting facilities will be THE ASTRO TURF 4 constructed for even women. The cost of this project of Iblees will be approximately R500,000. Insha-Allah, a detailed article shall soon be published on the evil of this shaitaani project. It is essential to understand that: 1) This project is Haraam. 2) It is haraam to contribute money for this shaitaani project or to participate in it in any way whatsoever. 3) Any person who intends to contribute for Satanism, should reflect on the plight of the suffering Syrian Muslim refugees and on the Rohingya Muslims. How is it possible for a Muslim with healthy Imaan to throw the Ni’mat of wealth down the shaitaani sewerage drain for constructing kuffaar sports facilities for even Muslim women when Muslims by the million are languishing in grinding poverty and squalor? If you have money for wasting on shaitaan, reflect on Maut, the Qabr and the Hisaab on Qiyaamah. Contribute to those who are involved in alleviating the plight of the suffering Muslims who have been displaced brutally from their homes. 16 Muharram 1439 (7 October 2017) THE ASTRO TURF 5 Subsequent to the publication of the aforementioned statement, the Empangeni Muslim Society cancelled its proposed astro turf project. The ostensible reason proffered for the cancellation was that “senior Ulama of the country” were opposed to the haraam project. However, shaitaan was working behind the scenes. Colluding with the trustees and the muftis, Shaitaan managed to convince them to renege and to proceed with their intended haraam project. Thus, members of the Empangeni Muslim community, sent the following letter of complaint and concern. THE SECOND LETTER OF COMPLAINT AND CONCERN Assalaam U Alaikum Once again in Empangeni there are some issues. The trustees have now decided to purchase the land next to the Musjid as GENERAL WAQF for the usage of building an astro turf, school, hall or any other future projects. We the community don’t mind the land being purchased as land is irreplaceable and also it’s being purchased from a church. The issue is that the first project to be up would be the Astro turf. The main Imaam Ml Suliman together with the vice chairman Haji Shiru are heading the project under the protection of the chairman and clearly stated THE ASTRO TURF 6 that they don’t want the community to seek the guidance of outside Ulema as the trust group is affiliated with Jamiat KZN. Jamiat KZN has not yet been asked regarding permissibility of an Astro Turf. The trustees however are using Stanger, Escourt and Houghtan as their examples for building the Astro turf. It seems that this Astro turf is so important to the Vice Chairman and Main Imam that it’s the first project to be built and seems like the main purpose of using public funds to buy a land. There is talk of the school coming on but they have not confirmed. They is no funding for a hall or any other project as yet. It seems that the trust group is trying to force an Astro Turf on to the community using public money. 1. Please advise what can General waqf land be used for? 2. What is the difference between Musjid Waqf and General Waqf? 3. Please elaborate on the vices of Astro Turf? 4. Please advise if it is permissible to build an astro turf (with all its vices) on general waqf land? 5. Please advise regarding sponsoring, building and financially maintaining an Astro Turf project? Is it permissible to contribute towards it? THE ASTRO TURF 7 6. Is it permissible to contribute towards a land that will be used for astro turf? 7. Please advise if it is a good idea to build an Astro Turf on land next to the Musjid? 8. The main Imam stated that contributing for a project like this is sadka jariah. Is it sadka jariah? 9. Can an Alim be involved and head such a project? (End of the letter) BRIEF ANSWERS (1) The term ‘general waqf’ is a trick which the miscreant mufti has taught to the trustees in a nefarious and futile bid to find some straw of justification for the contemplate astro turf. Land can be made Waqf ONLY for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Man’s ownership is relinquished and eliminated, and the land passes into the Ownership of Allah Azza Wa Jal. Thus, Waqf land can be used for only Deeni causes – for halaal purposes – for the Objectives of the Aakhirat. Waqf for sports or any haraam activity is not valid. In fact, it is tantamount to kufr. The Mufti has disgorged into the brains of the trustees the idea of the laughable ‘general waqf’ to escape the THE ASTRO TURF 8 charge of using the Musjid’s Waqf land for the haraam project. (2) The objective of Musjid Waqf land and land made Waqf for any other Deeni cause, e.g. Madrasah, orphanage, shelter for the poor and destitute, etc. is one and the same, viz. the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and thawaab in the Aakhirat. This objective cannot be achieved by means of making land waqf for shaitaaniyat such as the haraam astro turf project. (3) The evils, vices and Satanism of the astro project shall be elaborated further in this brief treatise, Insha- Allah. (4) It is haraam to construct the shaitanai astro turf project on even privately-owned land. It is a double haraam and an aggravated haraam to establish it on Waqf land. (5) It is haraam to contribute funds for this haraam project. Those who contribute towards it are at war with Allah Ta’ala. They are promoting Satanism and are acting in flagrant violation of the Shariah. Never should any Muslim contribute nor participate in this project of the devil in any way whatsoever. (6) It is haraam to contribute towards buying land for the astro turf project. THE ASTRO TURF 9 (7) It is not permissible to construct this evil project anywhere in the world. Having it adjacent to the Musjid is to emphasize the evil and to nakedly oppose without impunity Allah Azza Wa Jal. Only men whose brains have been corrupted with shaitaan’s urine can descend to such a gutter level. (8) The main imam has lost his sanity for propagating that kabeera sins are Sadqah Jaariyah. This type of insanity with which shaitaan afflicts the brains of people is termed in the Qur’aan Majeed as Takhabbutush Shaitaan. (9) It is haraam for even a jaahil to be involved in assisting the establishment of this shaitaani project. The so-called ‘aalim’ who is aiding and abetting the haraam project is worse than a jaahil. He is an agent of Iblees. THE ASTRO TURF 10 WHAT ALLAH TA’ALA AND HIS RASOOL SAID AND WHAT IS THE SHARIAH’S FATWA In the Qur’aan Majeed Allah Ta’ala says about this dunya and lahw-la’b (play and amusement): “And the life of this world is nothing but provisions of deception.” (Aal-e-Imraan, Aayat 188) “The prosperity of this dunya is insignificant while the Aakhirat is best for those who have taqwa.” (An-Nisaa’, Aayat 77) “Do not allow the movement (prancing and strutting) of the kuffaar in the cities deceive you. It is insignificant prosperity. Then their abode will be Jahannam. Indeed it is a vile abode.” (Aal-e-Imraan, 196 and 197) “The Abode of the Aakhirat is best for those who fear (Allah). What! Have you no Aql?” (Yusuf, Aayat 109) “They who love this worldly life (in preference) over the Aakhirat, and they prevent from the Path of Allah, and they seek crookedness therein, verily they are vastly in deviation.” (Ibraaheem, Aayat 3) THE ASTRO TURF 11 “And this life of the world is nothing but futility and sport. Verily, the Abode of the Aakhirat, that indeed is the life (for the Mu’mineen). Would that they knew (this fact).” (Al-Ankabut, Aayat 64) “O People! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. Therefore do not be deceived by this worldly life, and do not let deception deceive you regarding Allah. Verily, shaitaan is your enemy, Therefore regard him as the enemy. Verily, he calls his army so that they become the companions of the Blazing Fire.’ (Faatir, Aayat 5 and 6) “O my people! Verily, this worldly life is only slight provision, and verily, the Aakhirat- that is the Enduring Abode (of pleasure, happiness and peace).” (Al-Mu’min, Aayat 36) “Verily, the life of the world is but play (futility) and sport. If you (truly) believe and adopt Taqwa, then Allah will grant you your reward, and He does not ask you for your wealth.” (Muhammad, Aayat 36) “Know that the life of the world is sport, futility, adornment, mutual pride amongst you…..” (Al-Hadeed, Aayat 20) THE ASTRO TURF 12 “Thus, they should laugh little and cry much.” (At-Taubah, Aayat 82) The aforementioned Aaayaat taken at random adequately reflect the theme, the spirit and ethos of the Qur’aan Majeed. There is not a single Aayat of the Qur’aan Majeed which grants the slightest leeway for adoption of sport, play and futility which are all violently nugatory of the objective of the Muslim’s life on earth. The objectives of life on earth are nothing other than Thikrullaah (Remembrance of Allah), Islaah of the Nafs (moral reformation) and preparation for the Meeting with Allah Azza Wa Jal in Jannat. All other lawful mundane activities and occupations are of secondary importance designed for our temporary sojourn and stay on earth. Involvement in lawful mundane activities is permissible only within the stringent confines of the Shariah – within the legal and moral restrictions which Allah Ta’ala has attached to all our worldly occupations. There is not a single mundane occupation, activity or profession of the Muslim which is without its Waajib moral set of restrictions and guidelines. When the Muslim submits all his worldly activities to Allah’s Shariah – both the legal and moral codes – then he will be a genuine Zaakir. That is why Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Every mutee’ (obedient servant of Allah) is a zaakir (one who remembers Allah).” When the Mu’min in his daily activities is confronted with a clash THE ASTRO TURF 13 between his worldly desires and his Deen, then if he dumps the worldly attractions and desires to submit to Allah’s command and obey the Shariah, then such a Mu’min is a true Zaakir on par with Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi, the Imaam of the Auliya. The ethos of the Qur’aan Majeed and the Sunnah prohibits indulgence in any mundane activity, not only in shaitaani sport, amusement and futility, but even in lawful worldly occupation which diverts the mind and heart from the objective of life on earth – from the Remembrance of Allah Ta’ala – from observance of the Shariah – from cultivation of the Sunnah, and from cultivation of Taqwa. Contrary to what the moron materialist molvis and ulama- e-soo’ propagate, the cultivation of Taqwa is Waajib. The Qur’aan and Ahaadith are replete with hundreds of Aayaat and narrations commanding the cultivation of Taqwa. Minus Taqwa, man remains a beast. The Muslim bereft of Tawqa will not understand the Qur’aan even if he is the greatest expert of the Arabic language in the world. That is why Allah Ta’ala says in the opening Aayat of Surah Baqarah: “(This Qur’aan) is Guidance for the Muttaqeen (the people of Taqwa).” Therefore, any activity, even if initially lawful, which is inimical to the cultivation of Taqwa, will not be permissible. And, if the activity is satanic, the abhorrence and consequences are worse. THE ASTRO TURF 14 Regarding sport (lahw-la’b), Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Every sport of the Mu’min is baatil (i.e. evil, false, haraam).” Making an exception, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said that besides play with the wife, bow and horse, “all other sports are haraam”. In reality, the ‘play’ with the three exceptions is not the type of play and amusement which deflect from the Maqaasid (Objectives) of man’s transitory residence in this dunya. The ‘play’ with the three exceptions are necessary engagements which facilitate life on earth as contemplated by Allah Azza Wa Jal. The incumbent demand of kuffaar sporting activities is merrymaking and kuffaar style laughter. About such laughter, the Qur’aan Majeed says: “They should laugh little and cry much.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Laughter kills the heart.” Unrestrained laughter and loud laughter destroy spirituality. It is satanically induced and in total negation of the Remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. It ‘kills’ the spiritual heart, and it makes insaan completely forgetful of Maut, the Qabr and the Hisaab in the Aaakhirat. THE ASTRO TURF 15 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Who will accept from me these kalimaat (words / teachings /advices, etc.) and then practically implements them or teaches them to someone who will act accordingly?” Abu Hurairah said: “I shall, O Rasulullah! Then he took my hand and enumerated five, saying “Abstain from haraam (prohibitions/what is unlawful), then you will become the greatest worshipper. Be satisfied with whatever Allah has apportioned for you, then you will become the wealthiest of people. Be kind to your neighbour, then you will be a Mu’min. Love for people whatever you love for yourself, then you will be a Muslim. Do not laugh much, for verily, laughter kills the heart.” “Abu Tharr (Radhiyallahu anhu) said: ‘O Rasulullah! Give me more naseehat.’ Then Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Beware of much laughter, for verily, it kills the heart and eliminates noor from the face.” Once, when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emerged from his home at midday, it was exceedingly hot. He said to the Sahaabah: “O People of the Rooms! The Fire has been made to blaze fiercely, and the fitnan (evils and trials) have approached like the dark portions of the night. If you knew what I know, then you will cry much and laugh little.” THE ASTRO TURF 16 Laughter-raucous laughter – is the lightest of the evils which accompany kuffaar sports. The nafsaaniyat accompanying sports is an exhibition of the attitudes of the kuffaar which adorn their sporting activities. Muslims who indulge in sports emulate the attitudes of the kuffaar right into the “lizard’s hole”. Hence in another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Every sport of the Muslim is Haraam except his play with his wife…….” Raucous laughter, kuffaar style, is integral to kuffaar sports. The heart dies and all roohaaniyat evaporates from the Muslim’s heart. Be assured that this evil effect is not restricted to laughter. It is a natural consequence of all attitudes accompanying sporting activities. How is it possible for Muslims who have any valid understanding of the Aakhirat to diversify into such Satanism as an astro turf project which has not the slightest relationship with Islam whilst having 100% affinity with the objectives of life of the kuffaar who are in denial of the Aakhirat? Is there the slightest precedence for this evil project in the annals of Islam? Does it have the slightest semblance of affinity with the Sunnah Culture of the Sahaabah and the Salafus Saaliheen? How can a Muslim even dream of this Satanism when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) declared that all sports are baatil? THE ASTRO TURF 17 Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu anhu) narrates: “Once Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) came upon a group of his Sahaabah who were laughing and conversing. Then Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “I take oath by The Being in Whose power is my life! If you knew what I know (of Maut, the Qabar and Aakhirat), you will laugh little and cry much.” Then he left with the Sahaabah crying.” So much grief and tears overcame the Sahaabah upon hearing this from Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that Allah Ta’ala revealed to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “O Muhammad! Why do you make my servants lose hope? Since excessive khauf (fear) can render a person hopeless and even drive him to insanity and to abandon whatever little goodness he may be practicing, Allah Ta’ala has cast a veil over our hearts, minds and eyes to preclude us from seeing and knowing the realities in the degree of ma’rifat of the Ambiya and the Auliya. If the Realities had been revealed vividly to all and sundry, the Divine Scheme of life for mankind on earth would not operate and function. Everyone would take to the mountains. Hence, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “If you knew what I know, you will laugh little, cry much, and you will not derive pleasure from your wives on your beds. You will flee into the wilderness seeking Allah’s protection.” THE ASTRO TURF 18 Hadhrat Abu Tharr (Radhiyallahu anhu) whose ma’rifat was a very lofty degree, on hearing this said: “Would that I was a tree which would be cut.” In the tafseer of Hadhrat Abu Tharr’s statement it is mentioned that the lofty state of his fear for Allah’s Athaab constrained him to make this utterance. Whilst all of us are totally devoid of the spiritual and emotional states of the Sahaabah and the select Auliya, Allah Ta’ala has bestowed to us a wonderful Aql by means of which we are supposed to intellectually understand the reality of the Aakhirat, the futility is worldly indulgence to enable us to walk in the shadow of the Sahaabah who would immediately comprehend whatever Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said to them. Can there ever be any affinity between these lofty, noble and spiritual attitudes arising from the Qur’aan and Sunnah and a project such as an astro turf which is pure Satanism initiated and planned by the kuffaar? From whence did the proponents of the astro turf project acquire their direction? From the Sahaabah or from the kuffaar? Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The dunya has been created for you, but you have been created for the Aakhirah.” The way of attaining the goals of the Aakhirah which Allah Ta’ala has intended for the THE ASTRO TURF 19 Mu’mineen, is by means of Ibaadat, not by means of activities which are the very antithesis of the Ibaadat commanded by Him: “I have not created jinn and man except that they worship me.” (Qur’aan) Ibaadat is not restricted to ritual acts of worship. Submission to the entire Shariah is the Ibaadat stated in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Integral to this Ibaadat is abstention from sin, haraam, futility, sport and every activity which is at variance with the Maqaasid of Islam. We have explained in detail the prohibition of sport in our book, Sport and The Mu’min. For a better understanding of the Shariah’s prohibition of sport, our book on sport is available. Sports and sportfields and projects of this sort are all evil institutions of the dunya satanically inspired and designed to nullify the Muslim’s bond with Allah Ta’ala. Sports bring within their wake the full expression of nafsaaniyat and all types of kuffaar emotional attitudes which accompany such activities are exhibited. If one has any ma’rifat of the Maqaasid of life on earth, of Maut, the Qabar and the Aakhirat, never will it be possible for one to even imagine participation in such evil nafsaani expressions which are integral to kuffaar sporting activities. THE ASTRO TURF 20 The Qabar calls five times daily: “I am an abode of sand. I am an abode of darkness. I am an abode of solitude. I am an abode of torment ... .” Indeed the hearts and intellects of those who indulge in the corruption of sports are sealed, hence the reality of the dangers and disasters commencing from the moment of Maut are completely incomprehensible. Sports make one oblivious of Insaaniyat (Islamic humanity). It converts the participant into virtual non-Muslims, and this is conspicuous from the attitudes exhibited. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has banned even an intelligent game such as chess which is devoid of the many haraam factors which accompany the type of sports for which the haraam astro turf is being contemplated, how is it possible for people of Imaan to condone, promote and construct the haraam astro turf? Playing chess is like dipping the fingers in the blood of a pig as is reported in the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). What can now be said of an astro turf which exceeds by leaps and bounds the villainy of chess? How is it possible for Molvis and for thinking Muslims to contemplate the construction of this haraam shaitaani sports field at a cost of half a million rand when there is so much poverty and suffering of Muslims in all countries? Indeed, their hearts are harder than stone as stated in the Qur’aan Majeed. Their intellect is fossilized, incapable of understanding simple truths and realities. THE ASTRO TURF 21 Muslims by the million are without food, shelter, water, medicine, clothes and other very very basic amenities of life. They wallow in squalor and in jahaalaat – total ignorance of the elementary requisites of the Deen to sustain their Imaan. Whole counties in Africa which were former Muslim-majority lands have today been transformed into Christian-majority states. And what is the reason for this drastic satanic metamorphosis of the Ummah from Imaan to kufr and Satanism? The answer is: It is the type of attitude which the molvis, Muftis and sheikhs of today are exhibiting. It is the gross satanic squandering of wealth by the wealthy who divert their money into avenues of Satanism entirely oblivious of the raging blazing fire devouring the Ummah. Amid these gigantic floods of Satanism, misery and destruction in which the Ummah is wandering aimlessly, how is it possible for the Mufti to legalize and halaalize the shaitaani astro turf of baatil? And how is it possible for wealthy Muslims to donate for this Satanism when the conflagration of misery and destruction is consuming the Ummah? Have these wealthy Muslims no better avenue for expending the divine bestowal of wealth? Besides the encouragement and goading of the misguided Mufti who issued the fatwa of permissibility for Jahannam’s sports field, are the wealthy Muslims in entirety bereft of brains and intelligence to enable them to understand the villainy and Satanism of the astro turf project? What constrains them to act so callously and criminally as to contribute for THE ASTRO TURF 22 a project whose impermissibility is clearer than the sunlight at midday? The only viable conclusion that can be drawn from this vile attitude of the Mufti, the Empangeni trustees and the donors is that Allah Ta’ala has destroyed their intelligence with rijs (filth). About the destruction of Aql by divinely-cast rijs, the Qur’aan Majeed states: “And He (Allah) casts rijs on those who lack Aql (they are incapable of understanding).” There is no need for a Mufti’s fatwa to understand the Shar’i status of this baatil, haraam shaitaani project. Emphasizing the correct utilization of Imaani Aql, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Seek a fatwa from your heart.” Provided that the intelligence has not become satanized or completely destroyed by divinely-cast rijs, even a total jaahil whose Imaan has not become convoluted is able to understand the hurmat of Empangeni’s proposed astro turf shaitaaniyat. It is healthy Imaan which has constrained laymen to register their disgust for this project, hence they have written to us out of Deeni concern. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “When there is no barkat bestowed in the wealth of a man, he squanders it in water and sand (i.e. buildings).” This stricture applies to unnecessary constructions – palatial homes, palaces, mansions, etc. To a greater degree will it apply to a haraam astro turf. Instead of being rewarded, THE ASTRO TURF 23 punishment awaits those who squander wealth in haraam sports field projects. Those who promote the astro project (such as the molvis) and those who engage in the actual construction of shaitaan astro turf such as the trustees and donors, are the leaders in the crime – leading the ignorant ones to Jahannam under deeni guise. Contributors for this haraam project, should examine this issue and their hearts before donating to this haraam, shaitaani project thereby incurring the Wrath of Allah Ta’ala and depleting the barkat of their wealth. Allah Ta’ala will overwhelm them with calamities of a variety of kinds for the haraam ingratitude shown for the bounties He has bestowed. Divert the half million rands towards the Rohingya suffering Muslim refugees who are physically, morally and spiritually emasculated. In fact, they no longer have any understanding of reality. There are numerous avenues of Sadqah for the funds which will be satanically gushed down the sewers on the basis of a satanic fatwa issued by a Mufti whose lightest crime is short-sightedness. The Qur’aan Majeed, severely castigating those who squander the bounty of wealth, says: “Do not be extravagant (wasting the wealth). Verily, the squanderers are the brothers of the shayaateen, and shaitaan was unto his Rabb ungrateful.” Wasting is haraam even if the wealth is squandered in lawful THE ASTRO TURF 24 avenues, whether food, garments, homes, vehicles, Musjids, Madrasahs, etc. What conclusion should now be drawn when the Ni’mat of wealth is squandered in haraam avenues and on haraam projects such as this astro turf which is a satanistic institution of the kuffaar? What fatwa should be passed on the satanism of the squandering and the shaitaaniyat of the squanderers in this contemplated haraam project which is anathema to the Shariah and in violent negation of the spirit of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, and which is in denial of the Maqaasid of the Aakhirat which Muslims are supposed to pursue for their everlasting salvation in Jannat? Instead of keeping the success and salvation of the Aakhirat in mind, all of these unfortunate helpers of Shaitaan’s project are arranging for themselves condemnation and damnation in the Aakhirat. For them the Qur’aan Majeed says: “Lost are they in this world and the Aakhirah. Indeed it is a gigantic loss.” When Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emphatically and categorically declared that “every sport of the Mu’min is baatil”, the mufti who promotes sports and worse, a haraam project such as the astro turf, should hang his head in shame. He should reflect and quiver with fear, for with his corrupt fatwas he hovers on the brink of kufr. When haraam is halaalized on the basis of a puzzle of technicalities which are like floating straws being clutched by a drowning man, the academic shallowness and moral bankruptcy of the Mufti should be conspicuous for all Muslims of sound mental and Imaani perception, THE ASTRO TURF 25 and for this recognition and cognizance academic Ilm is not a requisite. Only pure Imaan is adequate for this comprehension. In an apologetic and flabby explanation for having cancelled the proposal of constructing the haraam astro turf, the Empangani Muslim Society, in its letter dated 14 October 2017 to a Mufti who is not named in the letter, said: “We wish to place on record that we accepted Mufti Saheb’s fatwa regarding permissibility, however, we relented to pressure from other Senior Ulema of the country who were against this concept.” After having adopted the Path of Hidaayat by cancelling the project, it is obvious that the somersault reneging of the Empangeni Muslim Society so soon after having seen the light of Allah’s Guidance, has been constrained by some molvis from behind the scene. This is a sign of Allah’s ghadhab (wrath) for these somersaulting trustees of the society. Let them understand that the worst type of deviation is to deviate after being on the Haqq. It is indicative of Allah’s La’nat on the deviates. Despite acknowledging that Senior Ulema of the country are against the haraam project, the Empangeni Society deems it appropriate to go ahead along the Path leading to Jahannam with the satanic astro turf. Who are they pleasing? Allah Ta’ala or shaitaan? They should not THE ASTRO TURF 26 soothe their conscience with the baatil fatwa of the mufti who has strayed far, very far from Siraatul Mustaqeem with his fatwa which seeks to convolute the Haqq of the Deen. Two days after the letter of the Empangeni Society, on 26 October 2017, Mufti Ebrahim Desai wrote his letter of grief which clearly illustrates his frustration at the cancellation of the haraam project which he was promoting and with whose encouragement the initial intention of constructing the satanic project was made. Smarting with wounded pride, he clearly demonstrates his frustration by descending to a puerile level which compels him to say: “While I appreciate EMS for valuing and accepting my Fatwa in which I have no doubt in, and being in a position to academically to engage any Mufti on the issue.......” On this issue, we say unequivocally that your fatwa is plain shaitaani bunkum. We trust that Mufti Ebrahim Desai will publicly present his ‘academic’ Shar’i arguments to bolster his corrupt fatwa which takes Allah’s servants far, very far from Allah Ta’ala. It is a fatwa of corruption, dhalaal and shaitaaniyat which ruptures the Bond between Allah Azza Wa Jal and His servants. It serves no beneficial purpose to state in a private letter to a group of laymen who lack Shar’i academic Knowledge and whose nafs has THE ASTRO TURF 27 overwhelmed their intelligence, that the astro turf mufti is able to tackle academically any Mufti on this issue. Mufti Ebrahim Desai is requested to publish his astro arguments to enable other Ulama to subject his hotch-potch brew to Shar’i scrutiny and to issue the imperative rebuttal which must necessarily be made to negate the dhalaal which such a palpably baatil ‘academic’ straw will be. The Mufti Sahib with his fatwa of halaalizing a haraam sports field and haraam sports has been instrumental in assisting in the process of tightening the noose around the Neck of Islam. Islam is under siege, and the worse treasonists aiding and abetting the throttling and demolition of Islam are the ulama-e-soo’ fraternity with their corrupt fatwas based on hallucinated corrupt ‘dalaa- il’. It is the throttling of Islam’s Throat which constrained Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to sadly comment: “Islam began ghareeb (forlorn, a stranger and friendless). Soon will it return to that ghareeb stage as it was in the beginning. Therefore congratulations for the Ghuraba.” The Ghuraba in the context are those devotees of the Sunnah whose condition is adequately depicted by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): THE ASTRO TURF 28 “Then (there shall dawn an age when) the one who holds on to the Deen will be like one who holds on to a burning coal.” One need not be an Aalim to understand the wickedness of the ‘fatwa’ halaalizing confirmed baatil and haraam sports. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Seek a fatwa from your heart.” There is no need for academic expertise to understand the hurmat of the shaitaani project. What affinity is there between “baatil” and the Deen? What relationship does the haraam astro turf – a kuffaar nafsaani, shaitaani project – have with the Purpose and Objective of life for which Allah Ta’ala sent us to earth for a very short sojourn? If the other “Senior Ulema” who had opposed the astro turf project will publicly discharge their obligation of Amr Bil Ma’roof Nahy Anil Munkar, it will, Insha-Allah, aid the Cause of Haqq. They will be supporting the Deen and come within the scope of the Qur’aanic Aayat: “Become the Ansaar (Helpers) of Allah.”, and the Aayat: “If you help (the Deen of) Allah, He will help you...” Appalling is the satanic intention of making available the shaitaani astro turf for even women. These molvis are utterly bereft of any Imaani conscience. Totally without the slightest vestige of Khauf-e-Ilaahi (Fear of Allah). They contemplate to allow women into the public for participation in shaitaani activities despite being fully THE ASTRO TURF 29 aware that even during the holiest of ages, the Sahaabah banned the holiest of women, even the Wives of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), from the Musjid. Emphasizing and extending this Ban of the Shariah, the Fuqaha forbade women from participating in even Walimah feasts which are Sunnah. When circumstances constrained the prohibition of women attending even Musjids and Walimahs for ibaadat and Masnoon practices, then by what stretch of Deeni, Imaani and Islaami logic do the muftis of this age of total fisq and fujoor permit women to emerge from their home for the sake of participating in satanic sports at a public shaitaani venue? It boggles the mind! The supposedly ‘holy’ ideas the halaalizing molvis may proffer for justifying the haraam astro turf are inspirations of shaitaan. Such satanic whisperings are described in the Qur’aan Majeed as zukhruful qawl (shaitaani adorned statements). These muftis of the dunya and dhalaal employ zukhruful qawl in which they dangerously feature the Deen to adorn their corrupt fatwas with deeni hues thereby beguiling the slaves of the nafs among the masses. Let them understand well that the Deen can never be served nor can the reformation of Muslims ever be achieved by the employment of haraam methods. The only viable, halaal and beneficial methods for these objectives are the methods of the Ambiya, the Sahaabah and the Auliya. Did the Mufti Sahib find any method of THE ASTRO TURF 30 sport, play and amusement in this methodology for the attainment of the Maqaasid of the Aaakirat? Hidaayat is not in the power of the one who offers naseehat. His job is only to deliver the Message and discharge his obligation of Amr Bil Ma’roof Nahy Anil Munkar. The Qur’aan Majeed, informing Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) that he is not a guard or a policeman appointed over people, says: “You are not a guard (appointed) over them.” Thus, the endeavour to attract people to the Deen by haraam means is pure satanism which two classes of people adopt: (1) The ulama-e-soo’, and (2) The simple, short-sighted buzrug lacking in fiqaahat. It is a methodology of the Christian clergy. The idea of attracting miscreant Muslims to the Musjid with haraam methods such as games, sports, and other merrymaking activities is deploringly abominable. There is absolutely not even the slightest indication in the Qur’aan and Sunnah for the adoption of sin and transgression for the attainment of laudable objectives. This argument is exactly like the idea of committing zina in order to gain converts. A Muslim visits a brothel, fornicates with a kaafirah prostitute who falls in love with him, and she subsequently embraces Islam. Is this method of conversion valid in Islam? Wallah! The satanically deceptive method of establishing a haraam astro turf with the ludicrous idea of it being a means for attracting miscreant youth to the Musjid is not different from THE ASTRO TURF 31 fornicating with a kaafirah prostitute with the intention of converting her to Islam. Shaitaan has, with his urine, convoluted the brains of the molvis who believe in the permissibility of organizing soccer teams, cricket teams, astro turf sporting activities and the like for attracting stupid wayward youth to the Musjid. This is a massive deception. Lest readers are intrigued by the ‘satanic urine’ factor, be informed that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did say that shaitaan urinates in the ears of men. In our day, the brains of the ulama-e-soo’ have become fertile ground for shaitaani urination, hence their convoluted brains are unable to distinguish between food and faeces. Islam is a glittering Institution. It does not tolerate the slightest filth, immorality and shaitaani blemish in its methodology which is the Sunnah of the Sahaabah and the Salafus Saaliheen. This sacred method is permeated by the theme and ethos of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Is there anywhere in the Qur’aan and Sunnah the slightest suggestion of an activity to incline Muslims to the dunya? The everlasting theme is only the Aakhirat. We are living in times in which Ghutha’ (Trash) preponderates in deeni hues. About such ghutha’, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: THE ASTRO TURF 32 “The Saalihoon are departing (from the world in quick succession) one after the other. Remaining will be ghutha’ (trash flotsam) like the chaff of barley or dates. Allah will have no care whatsoever for them.” The Muftis who are adept in the art of liberal and corrupt fatwas should scale themselves on the aforementioned Hadith to understand the dangerous ground on which they are treading. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) himself described the miscreant molvis, muftis and sheikhs – the ulama-e-soo’ – as Ghutha’ (Trash / Rubbish / Flotsam / Chaff). Therefore, there is no need for umbrage when the appropriate designation is applied to those who undermine the Deen and lead the community towards Jahannam with their shaitaani astro turf and sports logic. Condemning those who squander money in haraam sporting and merrymaking activities, Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan Majeed: “And, among people are those who purchase lahwal hadeeth (futility) to divert (others) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and they make a mockery (a joke) of it. Verily, for them there is a disgraceful punishment.” (Luqmaan, Aayat 6) In the tafseer of this aayat it is explained that the term ‘lahwal hadeeth’ (futile talk) refers to anything which THE ASTRO TURF 33 diverts from Allah Ta’ala and the goals of the Aakhirat. It brings within its scope play, sports, amusement, novels, merrymaking jalsahs, and all types of gatherings, functions and activities which are inimical of ibaadat and the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala and the Aakhirat. Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullah alayh) in explaining lahwal hadeeth (futile discourse) cited the Hadith: “Every sport of the Mu’min is baatil (false/haraam).” Thus, the mufti who stands in flagrant violation of Rasulullah’s Fatwa will not be a compurgator of the charge of treason in the Divine Court as long as he fails to retract his fatwa of dhalaal, and to repent for the major crime/act of treason of proclaiming haraam to be halaal. It is indeed appalling that molvis are able without compunction to issue fatwas which are in diametric conflict with the Fatwa of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). How is it possible for a Muslim whose Imaan is intact to ever say that sports are halaal when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had said that sports are HARAAM? When an intelligent, silent game such as chess in which there is contemplation and cognition – a game devoid of hooliganism, raucous laughter, howling, prancing like monkeys, etc. has been branded haraam and likened to dipping the fingers in the blood of a swine, then what constrains the muftis of this era to proclaim kuffaar sports THE ASTRO TURF 34 halaal? We mention this fact to alert these muftis about the real possibility of hidden kufr deep in the heart – kufr which is undetectable, and which can surface at the time of Maut. We trust that this naseehat, even if they detest our abjuratory tone, may strike a responsive chord in their hearts for their own everlasting goodness and salvation. May Allah Ta’ala save us and grant us Maut with our Imaan intact. But it remains totally incomprehensible that a Mufti can say that a conglomeration of sports together with all the kuffaar sporting paraphernalia is halaal when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated emphatically and categorically that “all sport is haraam”. We appeal to the molvis and muftis not to allow their umbrage at this article to deter them from searching their hearts for hidden kufr. It is most unintelligent to adopt blindness which smothers Imaani conscience, and then to belatedly discover the disaster of kufr at the time of Maut. It will then be of no avail. THE ASTRO TURF 35 SUMMARY OF THE ASBAABUL HURMAT – THE ELEMENTS OF PROHIBITION OF THE ASTRO TURF (1) Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that all sports are HARAAM. (2) The astro turf project is haraam in terms of the Qur’aan, Surah Luqmaan, Aayat 6. (3) All sporting activities at the astro turf will be in emulation of the kuffaar. Such tashabbuh is haraam. (4) The venue (the field) itself is in emulation of the kuffaar. (5) Women will be lured to the haraam venue. They will incumbently be adorned in their finery and be perfumed. They will emerge like zaaniyahs as is mentioned in the Hadith. Their emergence will necessarily be in violation of Hijaab. (6) Land is made waqf for haraam activity. This is tantamount to kufr. The waqf for this purpose is itself baatil / haraam. It is like reciting Bismillaah when consuming pork. (7) Muslims are duped to contribute for a haraam project on the understanding that it is an undertaking of thawaab. (8) Amid the suffering of the Ummah, a million rands will be squandered satanically. Contributing for this project will be aiding in sin and transgression.