Need to Raise the Standards of Modesty

Irresponsible use of the latest inventions and modes of communications has resulted in extreme moral corruption in every society in this world. Huzoor-e-Anwar^(aba) has repeatedly reminded members of the Jama’at and especially the youth to safeguard themselves against these societal evils. In this regard, he^(aba) said the following in a Friday sermon:

“As I had mentioned earlier, the latest inventions such as TV and Internet have redefined the historically established standards of modesty. Even after showing blatant immodesty, they say it is not so. The standard of modesty of an Ahmadi is not how it is shown on TV and the Internet. This is not modesty: rather, it is people being embroiled in lust and passion. Immodesty and indecency have also changed the standards of modesty in some apparently decent Ahmadi household. In the name of progress, such [vulgar] things are discussed and such [vulgar] actions are taken, which are not permissible for any decent human, even if they are husband and wife. Some matters are such that when they are done in front of others, not only are they unwarrantable, they become a sin. If Ahmadi families do not clean their homes of such vulgarities, then they have not honored their pledge, which they had made at the hand of the Imam of this age, and they have wasted their belief.

The Holy Prophet^(sa) clearly said:

اَلْحَیَآءُ شُعْبَۃُ مِّنَ الْاِیْمَانِ

Modesty is part of faith. {Muslim Kitabul iman baab Shu’aib ul Iman wa Afzaluha Hadith number 59}

Hence, each Ahmadi youth should be especially cognizant of not getting ensnared by the transgressions shown by the Media; otherwise, they may lose their faith. Under the influence of these indecencies some individuals cross all limits and have to be excommunicate by way of punishment.

Always remember that all your actions should be done to please Allah.

A Hadith relates that Holy Prophet^(sa) said: Indecency makes the perpetrator unsightly and modesty and bashfulness gives a modest person inner and outer beauty and makes him beautiful.” {Tirmadhi Kitabul Birr wa Sila Bab maja’a fil Fuhsh wal Tafahhush. Hadith 1974}

(Friday Sermon delivered 15 January 2010 at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London. Published AlFazl International 05 February 2010)

Vulgarity in the Name of Adornment

On many occasions, Huzoor-e-Anwar^(aba) has declared the trend of increasing immodesty in society to be extremely dangerous. He has often explained the Islamic teaching of Ghade-basr, meaning modestly lowering the gaze to safeguard oneself. In an address to the Ahmadi ladies he said:

“As I said, the attire is increasingly becoming an indecent attire. They advertise these [indecent clothes] through large billboards, advertisements on TV, advertisements on the Internet and even in newspapers. If a decent man happens to come across such advertisements, he lowers his gaze out of embarrassment, and he should lower his gaze. All this is done in the name of the modern society and broad mindedness. As I said, the clothing trends have become immodest. There is advertisement for indecency in the name of beauty.”

(Address to the Ladies at Jalsa Salana Germany 29 June 2013 at Karlsruhe, Germany. Published AlFazl International 18 October 2013)

International Spread of Societal Evils

In the current age, the circle of transgression is expanding due to the extreme expansion of the communication system. Hence, drawing attention to the members of the community towards this important topic, Huzoor-e-Anwar^(aba) said in a Friday sermon:

“These days the practical danger stems from the rampant and uncontrollable spread of the societal ills and, worse, some ills are given legal protection in the name of freedom of expression and speech. Evil was somewhat restricted before this age. The evil of the neighborhood remained in the neighborhood, a city’s evil stayed in the city, and a country’s evil remained in the country. At worst, neighbors would be affected by an evil. Now, however, with the ease of travel, television, Internet and various media these individual and localized evils have turned into international evils. Contacts are forged on the Internet across thousands of miles to spread evil and indecency.”

(Friday Sermon delivered 06 Dec 2013 at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London. Published AlFazl International 27 December 2013)