THE SATANIC DECEPTION OF “YOUTH CAMPS” By: Mujlisul Ulama of South Africa PO Box 3393 Port Elizabeth, 6056, South Africa YOUTH CAMPS 2 In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala says: “O thou youth who has abandoned his carnal lust for My Sake; who has dedicated his youth (young age) to Me! You are by Me as are some of My Malaaikah.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily, Allah Azza Wa Jal loves a youth who has dedicated his youthhood to the Ibaadat of Allah.” “Allah expresses wonder at a young man who is not in subjugation of his lust.” “Allah bestows the reward of 72 Siddiqeen to a youth who abandons the pleasure of the world and play/amusement, and devotes his youth hood to the obedience of Allah.” Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The superiority of the youth who devotes himself to Ibaadat over an old man who worships after attaining old age, is like the superiority of the Mursaleen over all the Nabiyyeen.” The Mursaleen are the Messengers to whom Kitaabs (Scriptures) were revealed. YOUTH CAMPS 3 “YOUTH-DAY CAMPS” THE DECEPTION OF THE KZN JAMIAT QUERY The Jamiatul Ulama KZN had recently organised a ‘youth camp’. For the attraction of the youth a number of sporting activities had been planned. Among these were horse riding, archery, paint ball, quad bike riding, human football, farm olympics and obstacle course. Some maulanas gave talks, Salaat was performed and the event lasted for a couple of hours. Please comment on this type of programme in the light of the Shariah. I am a member of the Jamiat, but I feel uneasy about activities of this kind being organised by Ulama. OUR COMMENT Your uneasiness is actually Allah’s guidance inspired in your heart. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Seek a fatwa from your heart.” The heart of a true Mu’min who sincerely desires the Haqq, does not fail. The correct fatwa is forthcoming from the sincere heart of the Mu’min. The conscience of the true Muslim does not fail to issue a warning to save one from indulgence in sin and futility. Hence, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Sin is that which disturbs your conscience.” YOUTH CAMPS 4 However, when the heart has been incorrigibly contaminated and disturbed by deliberate indulgence in activities which are glaringly nugatory of the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, and inimical towards the Maqsad (Objective) of life on earth, then the guiding Noor which is inherent in the Imaan of every Mu’min from the day of his/birth is tarnished and ultimately eliminated. Then the heart of even the Mu’min becomes like the heart of the kaafir. It becomes impervious to the spirit and ethos of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Its obduracy extends to the Aql which then fails to distinguish between Haqq and baatil. This is the lamentable malady which has overcome the brains of the KZN Jamiat’s molvis who are nowadays increasingly indulging in programmes which are conspicuously nugatory of the Objective of Islam. Such ‘youth’ programmes whilst hilariously ludicrous, especially when organized by molvis who deceive themselves with a flimsy outer ‘deeni’ façade, are in reality destructive for the akhlaaq of the participants, and in the long term ruinous for their Imaan. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur’aan Majeed: “In fact insaan has baseerat over his nafs even though he puts forth excuses.” These Jamiat KZN molvis are fully aware of their agenda. They cannot conceal from themselves their dishonest motive for having planned this stupid, laughable programme of futility. YOUTH CAMPS 5 The KZN Jamiat is plagued by the disease of ujub (vanity) and the crave of self-aggrandizement. Since its adversary, Darush Shaitaan (the so-called ‘darul ihsan’) is involved in haraam ‘youth’ khurafaat, the KZN Jamiat is in competition with Darush Shaitaan. The Zubayr Bayat character who had formed the shaitaani body had initiated a number of haraam ‘youth’ programmes. This character is a baaghi (treasonist) in terms of the Shariah. Since the nafsaani and shaitaani programmes and events of Darud Devil are alluring and pleasure-some for the nafs, the stupid ‘youth’ of today are roped in. All of these programmes are the effects of ujub, riya and takabbur, and also to stay in the public eye for the boodle which nourishes these molvi characters. The objective is not the Deen, not the Aakhirah and not the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. When molvis promote baatil, they degenerate into stupidity, making fools of themselves. This is what the Jamiat is currently indulging in. It believes that it can stay in business only if it can successfully compete with or even out-do the shayaateen of Darush Shaitaan. This is the sole motivating factor for the Jamiat’s stupid, shaitaani ‘youth’ event. The Jamiat, if it still has any understanding of the Qur’aanic concept of Ikhlaas and of the Maqsood of earthly life, should expurgate its brains and heart from the current necrosis which has fossilized its thinking. YOUTH CAMPS 6 In this era, from the Islamic perspective, the word ‘youth’ has pejorative connotations. In fact, it is like a swear word. Even molvis who are supposed to guide Muslims have become enmeshed in shaitaan’s ‘youth’ snare. Instead of guiding young Muslims towards the Deen, these unfortunate molvis have fallen into shaitaan’s ‘youth’ trap. Thus, they conduct themselves like juhala following the juhala youth. They fail to see the direction in which they are slipping into destructive futility. These ‘youth’ activities are infractions of the Shariah which come within the purview of a number of Qur’aanic aayaat such as: “The life of this world is but play and amusement while the Abode of the Aakhirah is best for those who have fear (for Allah). What! Have you no Aql?” Far from inculcating Taqwa or fear for Allah in the heart, these nafsaani activities with their deceptive ‘deeni’ veneer only give impetus to emotional (nafsaani) passions of a variety of kinds. Taqwa is acquired by subjection of nafsaani passions by means of self-denial and solitude. Khalwat is of vital importance for the cultivation of Taqwa. These shaitaani ‘youth’ camps and ‘youth’ activities create spiritual gangrene which results in Imaan rotting with lamentable shaitaani and nafsaani consequences. YOUTH CAMPS 7 The ta’leem of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is on the subjection of ‘youth’ to self-denial (Ikhfa’). Self-expression (izhaar) is deprecated in Islam. The teaching of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is for the youth to adopt the countenance and ways of Kuhooliyat (Old-Age). The Sunnah teaches the lesson of overshadowing youth (shabaab) with kuhooliyat. Thus Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The best of your youth are those who emulate oldmen, and the worst of your oldmen are those who emulate your youngmen.” The emphasis of the Sunnah is on the cultivation of moral purification, waqaar (dignity) and responsibility which adorn the Ni’mat of old age. The Ni’mat of shabaab (youth) should be adorned with the holy attributes of Kuhooliyat (old age), about which Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that when a man reaches the age of • 40 years, he is saved from leprosy and insanity. • 50 years, his hisaab (reckoning by Allaah) is simplified. • 60 years, he acquires taufeeq for Inaabat ilal laah (to turn to Allah Ta’ala in repentance and with obedience). YOUTH CAMPS 8 • 70 years, the inhabitants of the Heavens (Malaaikah and others) are ordered to love him, thus they increase Dua for him. • 80 years, only his virtues are recorded. His sins are forgiven, and his lapses are not recorded. • 90 years, all sins, past and future, are forgiven, He acquires a blanket pardon. He is granted the right of intercession (shafa’ah) on behalf of his family. He is awarded the lofty titles of Ameenullaah (the Trustee of Allah), and Aseerullah fil Ardh (the Prisoner of Allah on earth). • This stage of old age is known as Arzalul Umr. The deeds of virtue which he used to practise during his early days, but is now unable due to old age, are perpetually recorded in his Book of Deeds. For the sake of brevity, to avoid digression from the topic and to maintain focus on the Satanism of these deceptive ‘youth’ camps, the tafseer of this Hadith pertaining to the Bounty of Kuhooliyat is truncated. Insha-Allah, its tafseer shall be pursued in a future article. In a nutshell, the purport of the Ahaadith is that youth should cultivate the attributes of old men – old men of Islamic dignity and Taqwa, not the mannerism of moron old men whose brains become imbalance with YOUTH CAMPS 9 their indulgence in shaitaaniyat. About such vile oldmen, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The vilest of your old men are those who emulate your youngmen.” It is not possible for the conscience of a Mu’min whose Imaan is sound and healthy to be assuaged by acts which are inimical to Imaan, olympics of Thikrullah and defeating of the Maqsad of the Aakhirah regardless of the silly outer ‘deeni’ veneer of deception. The ‘deeni’ talk and the performance of Salaat at these shaitaani camps do not extricate these types of events from the Satanism which has spawned them. The miscreant molvis have devised these disingenuous attempts as a smokescreen for their despicable nafsaani and worldly goals. No matter how much they may sniff around to find Shar’i evidence for their shaitaani khuraafaat, they will miserably fail to substantiate their narratives disgorged in support of their corrupt shenanigans. Any Muslim of sound intelligence and intellectual perspicacity will understand that all the games, including archery and horse riding, enumerated in its list by the Jamiat KZN come within the scope of the Prohibition stated by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam): “Every sport of the Mu’min is baatil (and haraam)……..” YOUTH CAMPS 10 The virtues mentioned in the Ahaadith for archery and the like do not apply to Satanism. The virtues of Tilaawat of the Qur’aan Majeed do not apply to recitation of the Qur’aan Majeed whilst defecating in the toilet. On the contrary, Athaab is the consequence of such recitation. Similarly, the fadhaa-il of all acts of virtue mentioned in the Ahaadith apply to the relevant acts executed in their valid Shar’i substrata. The Jamiat’s inclusion of archery and horse riding is a red herring designed to deceive and trick stupid people into the understanding that the shaitaani event is a ‘deeni’ programme when in reality it is bereft of the Deen. Any intelligent Muslim who observes the misguided youth cavorting with the nafsaani items of the programme will readily understand the crass nafsaaniyat and shaitaaniyat pervading the ‘youth camp’. While the ta’leem and emphasis of the Qur’aan and Sunnah is on considerable reduction of mingling with people, reduction of speech, little laughter, perpetual Thikrullaah, and in general combatting the nafs, these ‘youth’ camps and programmes promote the very opposite of these moral and spiritual excellences and attributes. The Qur’aan Majeed says: “..Therefore, laugh little and cry much.” “The life of this world is but play and amusement……” (all nafsaaniyat) YOUTH CAMPS 11 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Do not talk much, for verily, much talk hardens the heart.” “Laughter kills the (spiritual) heart.” “Your tongue should remain ever fresh with Thikrullaah.” These are a couple of brief examples of the numerous Ahaadith and Qur’aanic Aayaat which command and promote detachment from the dunya and cohesion with the Aakhirah. But these youth camps and programmes are the very antithesis of the ethos and objective of Islam. At these shaitaani camps, the nafs finds free play to express its nafsaaniyat, and shaitaan finds fertile ground for his satanic operations. What mastery can be achieved from a few minutes or an hour of archery and horseriding? What roohaaniyat is achieved from the farce accompanied by raucous laughter, boisterous youth behaviour, – the type of kufr behaviour acquired from secular schools and the western lifestyle which has expunged the Culture of the Sunnah from the vast majority of Muslim homes? The red herring of archery and horseriding is a ploy of shaitaan for entrapment and involvement in infractions of the Shariah which are the hallmark of all shaitaani youth camps and programmes. And, from whence did the Jamiat acquire the idea and ideology of ‘youth’ camps? The whole confounded idea is in diametric YOUTH CAMPS 12 conflict with the Qur’aan and Sunnah. It is in emulation of the kuffaar, and the originator and pace-setter of this rubbish Satanism in Natal is Darush Shaitaan with whom the Jamiat KZN is in competition. Never ever can these haraam programmes cultivate even the idea of Taqwa in the misguided children. Instead of Taqwa, nafsaaniyat is enhanced and promoted. The elimination of Akhlaaq-e-Razeelah (the evil attributes of the nafs) and the cultivation of Akhlaaq-e-Hameedah (the attributes of moral excellence) are the teachings and commands of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. These Maqaasid were pursued from the very inception of Islam. The Tareeqah for this achievement is in the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the Ta’leem of the Auliya. Every aspect of this Ta’leem is in violent rejection of the mannerism, spirit and methods of these vile ‘youth’ camps and programmes. The Maqaasid of the Aakhirah can be acquired only on the basis of Taqwa, and Taqwa cannever be cultivated on the basis of futility and nafsaaniyat. In fact, even abstention from permissibilities is necessary to a great degree for cultivation of Taqwa. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The Mu’min will not attain the rank of the Muttaqeen as long as he does not abstain from permissibilities for fear of falling into impermissibilities.” YOUTH CAMPS 13 The programme and the attitude at these camps are nugatory of this Ta’leem of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the unanimous Ta’leem of all the Mashaaikh of Tasawwuf without a solitary exception. How is it possible to achieve Taqwa by emulating and adopting the ways and methods of the kuffaar? How can Taqwa be cultivated by indulgence in haraam sport- shaitaani ‘human football’ and shaitaani ‘farm olympic’, and in activities which enhance the cravings of the nafs? Is there any corroboration for these rubbish haraam activities in the Sunnah? What has happened to the brains of the Jamiat’s molvis? The Jamiat must understand that the sprinkling of peripheral ‘deeni- sounding’ activities cannot render their haraam youth camp anodyne and acceptable to the Shariah. In fact, by misusing the Deeni acts for promoting their nafsaaniyat, they are trifling with the Deen. These seemingly Islamic acts are deceptive and excrescential and only morons are duped. What precedent is there in the Sunnah for this shaitaani khuraafaat? What relationship is there between the Deen – between Taqwa and the Satanism of quad bike riding? Such riding brings nafsaani passions to the fore. Indulgence in this Satanism totally obliterates Allah’s Remembrance from the mind and heart of the Mu’min. Quad bike riding is in baboonic emulation of the kuffaar. It is their nafsaani sport which Muslims are also aping and adopting in the same way as all other haraam YOUTH CAMPS 14 kuffaar sporting activities are pervading the veins of Muslims. In flagrant violation of the Prohibition of sport stated by our Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), this miscreant Jamiat of mudhilleen molvis pave the path of Jahannam for the youngsters with the haraam kuffaar sport which they dub ‘human football’. These molvis have expunged from their Imaan every vestige of shame, deracinating every Imaani inhibition to haraam, laghw and la’b. They have embraced with delight kuffaar attitudes which they are now imparting to the misguided youth. The ultimate consequence of this stupid kuffaar game is to become human footballs in Jahannam. Ibaadat and Taqwa should be inculcated in the youth by way of Ta’leem which is the tareeqah of the Sunnah. The kuffaar method of play and amusement which the KZN Jamiat has adopted far from attracting towards Ibaadat and Taa-at, diverts from Thikrullah and fans the lusts of the nafs. About the youth of Islam, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “A youth who abandons his desire for the dunya and for sport, and who devotes his youth to the obedience of Allah, Allah rewards him with the rewards of seventy Siddiqeen.” Siddiqeen are the most elevated among the Auliya. The status of the Siddiqeen – the bait Allah Ta’ala displays YOUTH CAMPS 15 to the youth – is acquired by means of Ibaadat and Taa- at, not by indulgence in shaitaaniyat and nafsaaniyat – in play and amusement such as the camp of shenanigans organized by the Jamiat. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala says: “O thou youth who abandons his nafsaani lust for My Sake and who expends his youth for Me! You unto Me is like some of My Malaaikah.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily, Allah loves such a lad who dedicates his youth for the Taa-at (obedience) of Allah Azza Wa Jal.” The youth cannot acquire such lofty status and proximity to Allah Ta’ala by indulgence in the shaitaaniyat and nafsaaniyat of quad bike riding, kicking balls, stupid olympic farming, raucous laughter and camping in emulation of the kuffaar. These lofty ranks are attained only by means of Taqwa which is reliant on khalwat, ibaadat, taa-at, abstention from play and amusement, abstention from futility, Thikrullah, and adoption of the Sunnah, both the zaahiri and baatini dimensions. The Objectives desired for the youth by Allah Ta’ala are not to be found in stupid kuffaar style camping and by means of self-expression of the nafs. Everything of the camp-methodology is inimical to the Culture of the Sunnah and nugatory of Thikrullah and the Maqaasid of the Aakhirah. YOUTH CAMPS 16 What deficiency did the Jamiat molvis discern in the methods and ways of the Sunnah – the ways of the Akaabireen and the Salafus Saaliheen? Did any of them devise stupid ball-kicking or any other acts of sport or even meritorious acts such as archery for enticing the youth to the Deen? Hasan Bin Yahyaa (Rahmatullah alayh) once did not see a lad for some time. He then went to the home of the lad and knocked on the door. When the young man opened the door, Hasan Bin Yahya said: “O son of my brother! What is the matter? I have not seen you for many days?” The youth replied: O my brother! This abode (of the dunya) is not the abode for meeting. Verily, it is only the abode for amal (practising deeds of virtue). Meeting will be over there (in Qiyaamah).” So saying, he closed the door in Hasan Bin Yahya’s face. Hasan then never saw him again. He only saw his Janaazah when it was being carried. While such khalwat is not possible for all and sundry, the purport of the anecdote is to shun futility, sport and amusement, and not to indulge in the deceptions of quad bike riding and shaitaani sport, and to fool people with an outer ‘deeni’ façade – the chimera dangled to entrap youth in nafsaaniyat for the promotion of the sinister motives of molvis gone haywire in the art of misguidance. YOUTH CAMPS 17 The only method for drawing the youth towards the Deen is Naseehat and Amr Bil Ma’roof Nahyi anil Munkar. A lad came to visit Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu anhu) on his (Hadhrat Umar’s) deathbed while he was bleeding profusely. As the boy turned to leave, Hadhrat Umar observed his trousers below his ankles. Hadhrat Umar said: “Bring the boy back to me.” Then he instructed the boy: “Raise your garment, for verily, it is cleaner for your garment and more appropriate for your Rabb.” The method is Ta’leem, Naseehat and Amr Bil Ma’roof, not kuffaar style quad bike riding, satanic ball kicking, play and amusement. About the youth of Islam, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The superiority of a youth who worships, over an old man who worships after he attains old age is like the superiority of the Mursaleen over all the Nabiyeen.” The Mursaleen are those Messengers to whom Kitaabs (Scriptures) were revealed. Such wonderful ranks of elevation cannever be acquired by quad bike riding and the many other acts of khuraafaat organized by the Jamiat molvis. Youth should not be squandered on play and amusement. Hadhrat Ibn Shuthab (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “Verily, among the bounties of Allah for a pious youth is that Allah Ta’ala befriends him with a man of YOUTH CAMPS 18 the Sunnah who encourages him to act in accordance with it (the Sunnah).” Hadhrat Amr Bin Qais Al-Mulaa’i (Rahmatullah alayh) said: “When you see a young man with the people of Bid’ah, then have no hope (of any goodness) from him.” This consequence can also be extended to the youth who indulge in kuffaar sport and amusement. Goodness cannot be expected from them. The Jamiat with its haraam camping stunts is instrumental in ruining the Akhlaaq of the youth. ISLAAH OF THE NAFS – MORAL REFORMATION Islaah of the Nafs (moral reformation) is Waajib for every Muslim male, female, young people and old people. In Islam there is no distinction in this sphere of life. There is no separate syllabus of ta’leem and tarbiyat for the so-called youth. The same syllabus of the Sunnah which all the Mashaaikh had adopted is applicable to all Muslims for all time until the Last Day. Ta’leem by the Ulama for all and sundry should be imparted in the Musjid or Khaanqah although nowadays genuine khaanqahs are rare. Just as the miscreant liberal molvis are luring youngsters to kuffaar style ‘youth’ camps, so too should they encourage the youth to attend the Musjid and sit for the Islaahi talks. YOUTH CAMPS 19 Whether they heed or reject the encouragement proffered is not the concern of the molvis. Their obligation does not supersede the obligation of the Ambiya who were commanded by Allah Ta’ala to say: “Upon us is only to deliver the Clear Message.” Hidaayat –guiding the youth and all others - is not within the ambit of any molvi’s or any shaikh’s control. When bestowing hidaayat was not even in the control of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), it will be stupid and contumacious for a molvi or a shaikh to believe that he has the ability to guide the students, the mureeds and the youngsters. Allah Ta’ala, stating that the bestowal of Hidaayat is exclusively His prerogative, says in the Qur’aan Majeed: “Verily you (O Muhammad!) cannot guide whom you love. But Allah guides whomever He wills, and He knows best who are the ones to be guided.” It is thus, haraam for the molvis to invent disingenuous methods acquired from the kuffaar for the islaah of the youth. It will suffice to adopt the Tareeqah of the Akaabir Ulama and Auliya. Then whomever Allah Ta’ala selects for Hidaayat, will be guided. The consequences of exceeding the prescribed limits of the Shariah, are always vile and destructive. Youth camps, stupid quad bike riding, haraam kuffaar football and sports have absolutely no share in Islam’s programme of Islaah. The venues of Islaah by means of YOUTH CAMPS 20 ta’leem and tarbiyat are the home, the Khaanqah, the Madrasah and the Musjid. “If it was not for the fadhl (grace/kindness) and rahmat (mercy) of Allah on you, no one from among you would have ever attained moral purification. But Allah purifies (morally) whomever He wills. And, Allah is The Hearer, The One Who is Aware.” (An-Noor 21) “O People of Imaan! Do not follow in the footsteps of shaitaan. Whoever follows in the footsteps of shaitaan (know) that verily, he instructs with immorality and evil.” (An-Noor, Aayat 21) “Verily for you there is a beautiful pattern (of life) in the Rasool - for him who has hope (meeting) Allah, and the Last Day, and he remembers (Thikrullah) in abundance.” (Ahzaab, Aayat 21)