Prophetic Caution for those who still follow the practices of the pre-Islamic days when a calamity befalls on them

For many, entering intothe fold of Islam is merely taking the Shahadah and renaming one with an Islamic name. But this just the beginning for embracing Islam should mean a complete transformation in to a new life and following the way of life as laid down for them in the ight of Qur'an and Sunnah. Yet there are beleivers, mostly the born Muslims who cannot disassociate them from the practices of their forefather, mainly borrowed from their earlier faith, like that of the pagans of Arabia or even some other non Divine religions.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always cautioned the newly reverted Muslims to completely disassocte from the practices, culture and traditions of the pagans of Makkah and asked them to enter the fold of Islam in full, with no trace of their previous life attached to them.

Todaym we share a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ wherein he had ccautioned believers from observing rituals of the dead or even when a calmaity befell on them and asked them to be patient and accept the will of Allah in its totality.

This Hadith has been narrated by Narrated `Abdullah and mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari 1294:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes and follows the ways and traditions of the Days of Ignorance is not one of us."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا زُبَيْدٌ الْيَامِيُّ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَطَمَ الْخُدُودَ، وَشَقَّ الْجُيُوبَ، وَدَعَا بِدَعْوَى الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ‏"‏‏.‏

This hadith, narrated by Abdullah (commonly understood to be Abdullah ibn Mas'ud), is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Funerals condemns excessive and dramatic mourning practices.

Explanation of the Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ here condemns excessive and dramatic mourning practices such as:

• Slapping cheeks
• Tearing clothes
• Acting in the manner of Jahiliyyah (Days of Ignorance)

These were common ways pre-Islamic Arabs expressed grief during times of calamity, especially during funerals. Such actions were often rooted in pagan rituals, extreme emotional outbursts, and rejection of divine decree (Qadar).

By saying “is not one of us,” the Prophet is not declaring disbelief (kufr), but rather distancing such behavior from the ideals of a believing, disciplined Muslim community. It's a warning that this behavior contradicts Islamic teachings on patience and trust in God's wisdom.

Explanation of Hadith in Light of the Qur'an

The Qur'an emphasizes patience (ṣabr) and reliance on Allah when facing loss:

• "Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'" — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156
• "And give good tidings to the patient..." — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155-157

These verses highlight the virtue of calmness and acceptance of fate, in contrast to the dramatic displays of grief condemned in the hadith.

Islam promotes emotional expression in moderation—crying is not forbidden—but discourages acts that imply rejection of Allah’s decree or mimic pre-Islamic rituals.

Why Some Countries Still Practice These Traditions

Despite clear Islamic guidance, these mourning practices persist in some cultures and countries for various reasons:

• Cultural Inertia: Pre-Islamic customs remain deeply embedded in some communities, passed down through generations. Emotional rituals are seen as "tradition" rather than religious defiance.
• Lack of Islamic Education: Where access to authentic Islamic scholarship is limited, people may conflate culture with religion.
• Sectarian Interpretations: In some Shia communities, particularly during Ashura, public displays of grief—including self-flagellation—are common, rooted in historical remembrance rather than Qur'an or Sunnah-based mourning etiquette.
• Emotional Catharsis: In times of deep grief, people often seek public, symbolic acts to process pain. These acts become community norms, despite being religiously discouraged.
• Social Pressure: In some cultures, not visibly mourning (in dramatic fashion) can be seen as disrespectful, pressuring individuals to follow local norms.

Islamic Position in Summary

• Islam allows grief, but discourages excess.
• The Qur’an and Sunnah call for patience, dignity, and submission to God's will.
• Outward, exaggerated mourning practices linked to Jahiliyyah or cultural customs are discouraged or even forbidden.

The Crux of the Hadith in light of Qur'an

Allah at many pakces in Qur'an directes the beleivers to be patient and exercise "Sabr  - صبر" when a near and dear one dies or a calamity befalls on them. The outburst of grief beyond proportion is negation of the Divine Wisdom and Direction. 

Muslims must understand what is rightful and what is otherwise. Those aspects which have been explixitly forbiddednaor a caution imposed must be curbed and left in totality. There should never be explanation attached to following cultures and traditions of non Muslim practices which are clearly explained and there exists no imbiguity. 

We need true understanding of Islamic injuctues and educate ourselves by reforming the community response to aligning local practices with Islamic principles.

You may like toread our earlier post to allign oneself withthe will of Allah: Islam: Submission is not to surrender in defeat But to align one's will with the will of The Creator

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith

Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.

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Beware before Sudden Penalty Befalls while Ye Perceive Not!

Most men take this world a playing field to enjoy the life for as long as they live. And in their enjoyment the completely set aside or pay no heed to the commandments of Allah which more often than not warn them of His wrath if they do not obey Him. 

In fact, Allah only asks His servants to surrender their selfish will to Allah's Will. In divine compassion, therefore, we are allowed to do just what we can, even though our standard should fall short of the highest standard. But our aim should be to follow the highest standard, and Allah's Grace will come to our assistance. But we must do so in this life-and at once, as soon as the Word penetrates our mind or understanding. We must not delay a moment, for the Judgment may come at any time, suddenly, before we even perceive where we are.

Were we prepared for the calamity in the form of Coronavirus or the COVID-19? We were merrymaking, living a sinful life and enjoying the pleasures of sins, polluted sex and usurping rights of the poor. And suddenly the wrath of Allah falls on us in the form of this unknown virus that has taken a toll of almost 200,000 people so far and more than 2.5 million being affected with it. Did we have time to repent?

Herein under we share a few verses from Surah 39. Az-Zumar which open up from the commandment of Allah to follow Him while all is well. But one should make haste in obeying Allah for he may never know when in his ignorance a sudden penalty befalls on him when he even have not perceived it and he would then have no chance to repent, but would be left with remorse and guilt:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

وَاتَّبِعُوۡۤا اَحۡسَنَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَيۡكُمۡ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ يَّاۡتِيَكُمُ الۡعَذَابُ بَغۡتَةً وَّاَنۡتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُوۡنَۙ‏ 

55. "And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur'an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!" 

“To follow the best aspect of the Book of Allah” means that one should carry out the commands Allah has given and refrain from what He has forbidden, and learn lessons from what He has brought out in the parables and narratives. As against this, the one who turns away from Allah’s commands, indulges in the forbidden things, and does not heed His admonitions, follows the worst aspect of the Book of Allah, i.e. that aspect which the divine Book has declared as the most evil.

And when the chastisement befalls, man can only lament:

اَنۡ تَقُوۡلَ نَفۡسٌ يّٰحَسۡرَتٰى عَلٰى مَا فَرَّطْتُّ فِىۡ جَنۡۢبِ اللّٰهِ وَاِنۡ كُنۡتُ لَمِنَ السّٰخِرِيۡنَۙ‏ 

56. Lest a person should say: "Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah), the Qur'an, and Muhammad  and at the faithful believers, etc.]

Many kinds of sighs and regrets will then assail us. In the first place, we shall see our shortcomings: we were negligent when we should have been serious: we mocked when we should have tried to learn and understand. But it will be too late then to retrieve our position.

Or still yet he cries: 

اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ لَوۡ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ هَدٰٮنِىۡ لَكُنۡتُ مِنَ الۡمُتَّقِيۡنَۙ‏   

57. Or (lest) he should say: "If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons - see V.2:2)."

In the second place, we might be inclined to say, 'I wish I had received warning or guidance'. But this would not be true, because the warning and guidance are being conveyed in the clearest manner in Allah's Revelation. "that is the force of 'lest it should say'. It could have said so, had it not seen that the objection is clearly anticipated in the call to repent and in the warning about the Hereafter.

اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ حِيۡنَ تَرَى الۡعَذَابَ لَوۡ اَنَّ لِىۡ كَرَّةً فَاَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏  

58. Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: "If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinun (good-doers - see V.2:112)." 

In the third place, when we stand face to face with the Penalty of our own deeds, we might say, 'I wish I had another chance'. But not one, but many, chances are being given, especially when we are told (verse 53 above): 'Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful'. The force of 'lest it should say' here is the same as explained in the last note.

So wait not o, believers and repent when there is still time with no surety for how long it would last. A true repentance immediately after reading these verses may save us from wrath of Allah, both in this world and hereafter. May Allah forgive us all and save us from His anger.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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