Showing Honour and Respect to the Symbols of Deen

Hazrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Daamat Barakaatuhu) mentioned:

Hazrat Moulana Badre ‘Aalam (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) was one of the great muhadditheen and auliya that lived about 60 years ago. He passed away in Madeenah Munawwarah and is buried in Jannatul Baqee’. It is a system in Jannatul Baqee’ that the graves are recycled after a few years since with the heat and weather conditions the bodies decompose very quickly. 15 years after his demise when they dug up his grave they found his body intact in the exact manner that they had buried him. Many South Africans would spend some time with Moulana when they would go for hajj. He used to be informed of the kind of life people in the western countries were living, whether in Europe or South Africa. Hence, he made some recommendations. He would say that in Islam the greatest day of the week is Friday. So make this day distinguished from the rest of the days of the week. If you are preparing a special dish then let it be on Friday. If the children are wearing good clothes then let it be on a Friday and if you are giving them some pocket money then also give it to them on a Friday. We don’t need to identify with the non-Muslims nor follow their ways. They have made Sunday the main day of the week, hence we as Muslims should not emulate them and make this day the main day of the week. They do not follow us and nor do they force us to identify with them. Then why should we identify with them or anything that is attributed to their customs and celebrations. If we want to give a gift to a worker or friend, then we should not do it around their times of celebration. We will do it perhaps in Ramadhaan or on a Jumu‘ah or ‘Eid Day; on an occasion that relates to us or the day that is important and significant to us. If they ask us why are we giving the gift on this day then we will have a chance to give them da’wat. Muslims are not cold they are warm, but it does not mean that they will identify with other cultures. Muslims are understanding and when they are understanding , they will explain politely to those who wish to find out. Who knows that just on account of showing this type of respect we will earn our salvation in Jannah.