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Would it be permissable to go on a holiday?

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Would it be permissible to go on a holiday?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

As human beings, sometimes we need some time off or a small break to rejuvenate ourselves in order to function at our best. There is no prohibition regarding that in Shari’ah. As such, going on a holiday or vacation is permissible. However, one must be extremely cautious of the dos and don’ts when going for a holiday especially in these days of shamelessness and immorality. One’s holiday must be strictly dictated by the laws of Shari’ah such that not a single activity should be contrary to it. It is with this in mind that we have compiled a brief guideline for those wishing to go out on a holiday.

  1. 1.      Extravagance:

A common trait of people who go on holidays is extravagance. They book lavish 5 star hotels, dine in fancy restaurants, buy useless souvenirs and squander their money left and right. This behaviour is extremely disliked in Shari’ah. Consider the following verse:

إن المبذرين كانوا إخوان الشياطين وكان الشيطان لربه كفورا

Surely, squanderers (the extravagant) are brothers of satans, and the Satan is very ungrateful to his Lord.

(Verse: 17:27)

Expounding on the issue of extravagance, Mufti Shafi’ Saheb beautifully writes:

“The truth of the matter is that the course of moderation is very desirable in wearing what one wears and living where one lives, in almost everything. Sayyidna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas, radiyallahu anhu, said: Eat and drink what you wish and wear what you like. But, take care of two things: One, that there be no Israf (excess from the measure of need) in it. Two, that there be no pride and arrogance about it.”[1]

  1. 2.     Imitating the disbelievers:

Due to heavy influence and excessive dosage of Western mass media, it is most unfortunate that the greatness of certain non-Islamic customs and practices has crept into the hearts of many Muslims. Today, we find Muslims who refrain from committing sins due to the pressure of their respective communities. However, when these same Muslims are outside the range of the community’s prying eyes, Shaytan tries to exploit this and makes these individuals perform deeds they would otherwise refrain from. Thus, they fall into the trap of imitating the disbelievers, deeming it harmless even though imitating them in the way they dress, the way they interact, and in their manner of squandering wealth should be strictly avoided lest one falls under the ambit of this verse:

ولا تركنوا إلى الذين ظلموا فتمسكم النار وما لكم من دون الله من أولياء ثم لا تنصرون 

And do not incline towards the wrongdoers, lest the Fire should catch you, and you have no supporters other than Allah, then you should not be helped.

(Verse: 11:13)

Qadi al-Baidawi said, ‘following them in personal looks, fashion, and ways of living are all included under this very prohibition.’[2]

The following hadith should also be born in mind:

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Whosoever imitates or follows a nation, will be regarded from amongst them”.[3]

Under the explanation of the abovementioned Hadith, it has been mentioned that whosoever imitates or replicates the clothing, etc. of the non-Mulims or transgresses the rules of Shari’ah will also have a share in their sins. Similarly, whosoever imitates the pious from amongst the believers will have a share in the rewards of those pious people.[4]

  1. 3.     Carelessness with regards to praying salaah:

Salaah is one of the pillars of Islam. Missing even one salaah is a major sin. The severity of the matter should be clear from the following hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرًا، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَبَيْنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالْكُفْرِ تَرْكَ الصَّلاَةِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

It is narrated on the authority of Jabir that he heard the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him) saying. Verily between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer[5]

However, due to the busy schedule of people on their holidays, they tend to neglect performing their salaah timeously. Some even feel ashamed to pray it in front of everyone and wait until they return to their hotels or guest houses to pray. This is totally against the dictates of Islam. Salaah should be performed as soon as its time enters. This will ensure that one’s holiday is not deprived of divine blessings and spirituality.

  1. 4.     Covering the ‘awrah:

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, commanded us to cover our ‘awrah. Covering one’s ‘awrah represents one’s hayaa’, modesty and shame. It is a very essential quality for a Muslim to possess in this era of immorality and shamelessness. Consider the following hadith:

قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ عَوْرَاتُنَا مَا نَأْتِي مِنْهَا وَمَا نَذَرُ؟ قَالَ: احْفَظْ عَوْرَتَكَ إِلاَّ مِنْ زَوْجَتِكَ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ، فَقَالَ: الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: إِنْ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لاَ يَرَاهَا أَحَدٌ فَافْعَلْ، قُلْتُ: وَالرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ خَالِيًا، قَالَ: فَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُسْتَحْيَا مِنْهُ.

Narrated Bahz bin Hakim: “My father narrated to me from my grandfather, who said: ‘I said: “O Messenger of Allah! Regarding our ‘Awrah, what of it must we cover and what of it may we leave?” He said: “Protect your ‘Awrah except from your wife or what your right hand possesses.”‘ He said: “What about a man with another man?” He said: “If you are able to not let anyone see it, then do so.” I said: “What about a man when he is alone?” He said: “Allah is most deserving of being shy from Him.”[6]

Some holiday locations are such that everyone is exposing their ‘awarah over there, such as beaches. As a Muslim it is essential that we don’t “go with the flow” and that we maintain our dignity and follow the command of Allah Ta’aalaa and his beloved Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and keep our ‘awrah covered.

  1. 5.     Lowering the Gaze:

One of the biggest challenges Muslims face when going on holidays is lowering the gaze. In places where it is considered “normal” to wear skimpy clothes and expose most of one’s body, a Muslim must lower his gaze and avoid looking at people’s ‘awrah. Allah Ta’aalaa says in the Quran:

قُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُواْ فُرُوجَهُمۡ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ أَزۡكَىٰ لَهُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا يَصۡنَعُونَ ( ٣٠ ) وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ…

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. (30) And tell the believing women to lower their gaze…(Surah Noor)

Purposely looking at other people’s ‘awrah is a grave sin. This should be evident from the following hadith:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا أَشْبَهَ بِاللَّمَمِ مِنْ قَوْلِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنِي مَحْمُودٌ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنِ ابْنِ طَاوُسٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا أَشْبَهَ بِاللَّمَمِ مِمَّا قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ عَلَى ابْنِ آدَمَ حَظَّهُ مِنَ الزِّنَا، أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ لاَ مَحَالَةَ، فَزِنَا الْعَيْنِ النَّظَرُ، وَزِنَا اللِّسَانِ الْمَنْطِقُ، وَالنَّفْسُ تَمَنَّى وَتَشْتَهِي، وَالْفَرْجُ يُصَدِّقُ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ وَيُكَذِّبُهُ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: I have not seen a thing resembling ‘lamam’ (minor sins) than what Abu Huraira ‘narrated from the Prophet who said “Allah has written for Adam’s son his share of adultery which he commits inevitably. The adultery of the eyes is the sight (to gaze at a forbidden thing), the adultery of the tongue is the talk, and the inner self wishes and desires and the private parts testify all this or deny it.”[7]

  1. 6.     Halal holiday location

While this point may be extremely obvious, human beings sometimes need to be reminded of the obvious: the location of the holiday itself should be permissible. Going to places like casinos or night-clubs is not permissible.

In conclusion, while Allah Ta`ala has permitted us to enjoy ourselves in our free time, we must always remember to remain steadfast in our duties to Allah the Almighty regardless of where we are as we must ultimately answer to him for all of our deeds.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammad Haris Siddiqui

Student Darul Iftaa
Melbourne, Australia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.


[1] (Ma’arif al-Quran (English Translation) Vol.3 Pg.570 – Maktabah Darul Uloom Karachi)

[2] (Ma’arif al-Quran (English Translation) Vol.4 Pg.678 – Maktabah Darul Uloom Karachi)

[3]  4031 – حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَسَّانُ بْنُ عَطِيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُنِيبٍ الْجُرَشِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ» (أبو داود)

[4] (Bazhl al-Majhood fi hal Sunan Abi Dawud Vol.12 Pg.59 – Dar al-Bashair al-Islamiyah)

[5]  حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ جَرِيرٍ، قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرًا، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ إِنَّ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَبَيْنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالْكُفْرِ تَرْكَ الصَّلاَةِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ (مسلم)

[6]  2769 – حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزُ بْنُ حَكِيمٍ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ جَدِّي، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ عَوْرَاتُنَا مَا نَأْتِي مِنْهَا وَمَا نَذَرُ؟ قَالَ: احْفَظْ عَوْرَتَكَ إِلاَّ مِنْ زَوْجَتِكَ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُكَ، فَقَالَ: الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ؟ قَالَ: إِنْ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ لاَ يَرَاهَا أَحَدٌ فَافْعَلْ، قُلْتُ: وَالرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ خَالِيًا، قَالَ: فَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُسْتَحْيَا مِنْهُ.

هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ.

وَجَدُّ بَهْزٍ اسْمُهُ: مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ حَيْدَةَ القُشَيْرِيُّ، وَقَدْ رَوَى الجُرَيْرِيُّ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ وَهُوَ وَالِدُ بَهْزٍ. (ترمذي)

[7]  حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ ابْنِ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمْ أَرَ شَيْئًا أَشْبَهَ بِاللَّمَمِ مِنْ قَوْلِ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ‏.‏ حَدَّثَنِي مَحْمُودٌ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنِ ابْنِ طَاوُسٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا أَشْبَهَ بِاللَّمَمِ مِمَّا قَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ عَلَى ابْنِ آدَمَ حَظَّهُ مِنَ الزِّنَا، أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ لاَ مَحَالَةَ، فَزِنَا الْعَيْنِ النَّظَرُ، وَزِنَا اللِّسَانِ الْمَنْطِقُ، وَالنَّفْسُ تَمَنَّى وَتَشْتَهِي، وَالْفَرْجُ يُصَدِّقُ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ وَيُكَذِّبُهُ ‏”‏‏.‏ (بخاري)

This answer was collected from Askimam.org, which is operated under the supervision of Mufti Ebrahim Desai from South Africa.

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