1441-116

Category: 

Miscellaneous

According to Madhhab: 

Hanafi

Reference: 

Qiraat Jalsas

Question: 

I
had a few questions regarding the issue of the Qirat Jalsah's which take place
nowadays:

1. were these types of program's found in the times of our pious predecessors?

2. Are these types of programs encouraged?

3. Are they considered to be entertainment? If yes, what if people take effect
from listening to Quran. Since we know the present condition of the Ummah
today, will these types of programs not be a means of drawing people,
especially youngsters to deen, and to an environment of Deen?

4. if people have a problem regarding some Qurra taking money, will it be
correct for us to say: they are taking money for giving their time, in like
manner which the Ulama take. Nobody has a problem with Ulama taking money for
giving their time, so will this not apply here as well?


Answer: 

(1). We are not aware of Qiraat Jalsas (as conducted today) taking place in the time of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Tabi’een or Tabe – Taabi’een nor are we aware of such Jalsas held by our pious predecessors. However, there is proof found in the Hadith where a reciter would recite Quraan and others would listen to his recitation.

عَنْ أَبِِ سَعِيدٍ الُْْدْرِ ى قَالَ جَلَسْتُ فِِ عِصَابَةٍ مِنْ ضُعَفَاءِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَإِنَّ بَعْضَ هُمْ لَيَسْ تََ بِ ََعْ مِنَ الْعُرْىِ وَقَارِ يَ رَْْأُ عَلَيْ نَا إِذْ جَاءَ مَا كُنْتَُمْ - - – – « رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَ اَْمَ عَلَيْنَا فَلَمَّا قَامَ رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَكَتَ الْ اَْرِ فَسَلَّمَ ثَُُّ قَالَ قُلْنَا يََ رَسُولَ اللََِّّ إِنَّهُ كَانَ قَارِ لَنَا ي رََْْأُ عَلَيْنَا فَكُنَّا نَسْتََمِعُ إِلََ كِتََابِ اللََِّّ. قَالَ فَ اَْلَ رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم - – .» تَصْنَعُونَ قَالَ فَجَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَسَطَنَا لِيَعْدِلَ - – .» الَْْمْدُ لِلََِّّ الَّذِى جَعَلَ مِنْ أُمَّتِِ مَنْ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَصْبَِِ نَفْسِى مَعَهُمْ « بِنَفْسِهِ فِينَا ثَُُّ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ هَكَذَا فَتََحَلَّ وُْا وَبَرَزَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ لَهُ قَالَ فَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَرَفَ مِنْهُمْ - – – – أَبْشِرُوا يََ مَعْشَرَ صَعَالِيكِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ بِِلنُّورِ التََّا م يَوْمَ الْ يَِْامَةِ تَدْخُلُونَ ا نََّْْةَ - – « أَحَ دًا غَيِْْى. فَ اَْلَ رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رواه ابو داود( ( » قَ لََْ أَغْنِيَاءِ النَّاسِ بِنِصْفِ يوَْمٍ وَذَاكَ خََْسُمِائَةِ سَنَةٍ

(2). If a programme of Tilaawat of the Quraan is held with the objective of advising the people (after the recitation) to recite Quraan Sharif daily, or/and to improve their Tajweed, or to encourage youngsters to study the field of Qiraat or become Huffaz, etc. then there is no harm in doing so. If this is the objective, then such programmes should be held especially when there is a genuine need to make Islaah of people and to encourage them to bond with the Qur’aan.

(3). Tilaawat of the Quraan Sharif is an Ibaadah, but the merry making, party-like atmosphere, gossiping, etc. that sometimes accompanies such Jalsas, is incorrect. A person may be attending with the intention of accruing rewards but after engaging in such activities he could return with his account being in the negative.

Yes, if people are taking effect from the programme, then a simple, straight forward programme should be held in the Masjid after the congregational Salaah with a few recitals followed by some advice encouraging people to recite Qur’aan regularly with Tajweed and the programme is then over; after which people return home. It is not necessary to have it on a weekend in particular, extending it over long hours, or having it in halls where the programme stretches for such long periods of time that even Salaah with Jamaat in the Masjid is compromised (apart from many other extra activities that are superfluous) !

In the narration quoted above, the Sahaaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) did not even have sufficient clothing to cover their bodies but they gathered to listen to the Quraan Sharif being recited. This indicates their sincerity and having the sole objective of listening to the Kitaab of Allah . May Allah  bless us to with similar Ikhlaas and sincerity. Ameen! When this level of Ikhlaas is missing and people gather for other reasons, some of which have been outlined above, then yes these gatherings could become “entertainment.”

(4). The ruling of our earlier Hanafi Jurists (such as Imaam Abu Hanifa Rahimahullah and his students) in regards to taking a salary for Imaamat, calling out the Adhaan, teaching the Qur’aan and related sciences, acting as a Muslim judge, etc. was that this was not permitted. In order to fulfil the needs of these individuals dedicating their lives and time for these Deeni services, a stipend was stipulated for them from the Muslim treasury (Baitul-Maal) so that they would be able to fulfil their personal needs as well as the needs of their families. There was thus no need in those days to make an appeal for funds from the Muslim community in order to provide a salary for these servants of Deen. The Muslim treasury had eventually phased away leaving the Imaams, Muazzins, judges, etc. to fend for themselves. Now, if these individuals had to go out to earn a living via other channels (such as running businesses, etc), then there was a fear of destruction of Deen, as we would not have qualified individuals to lead the Salaah, teach Quraan to our kids, or people to call the Adhaan with punctuality, etc. The latter jurists therefore permitted the taking of a salary on the basis of the necessity of preservation and protection of Deen.

Now after understanding the above discussion we come to your query, even if a single Qiraat Jalsa or Qiraat programme is not held, there is no fear whatsoever of destruction of Deeni services. Therefore, in such situations (by not hosting Qiraat Jalsas), as there is no danger to Deeni services being neglected, it will not be permissible for the Qaari to take a fee as remuneration for his recitation in the Jalsas.

We hope that this answers your question. Therefore, it will not be correct equate their situation of taking money for their time to the scenario of Ulama taking remuneration for the time that they give in the Deeni Madaaris for the imparting of Deeni knowledge to our children. There is a world of a difference between the two scenarios.

AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST
ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai 
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B
Date: 15 Safar 1441 
English Date: 14 October 2019

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