The reader Kh. `A. sent us the following question: A piece of news published in a local newspaper states that "Mansour, the thirteen years old boy suffered from the pangs of sorrow and fate..." "However, fate was not merciful with Mansour..." There is also a report about a girl who was killed by a car. Her mother saw the dreadful accident, "which destroyed her family and turned her life into endless pains." What is the ruling on such sayings? May Allah reward you best!
A: In calamities, a Muslim should be patient and confidently anticipate Allah's Recompense. A person should say, "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly to Him we shall return." "Allah has decreed and what He wills, He does." A person should be patient and should beware of hopelessness and disguised sayings. Allah (Glorified be He) says, but give glad tidings to AsSâbirûn (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." They are those on whom are the Salawât (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Cherish that which benefits you (in the Hereafter), seek help from Allah, and do not lose heart. If anything afflicts you, do not say, 'If only I had done that, it would have been this or that.' Rather, you should say, 'Allah did that which He ordained', because saying 'if' opens the (gate) for Satan's work." (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith).It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "No servant is afflicted with an adversity and says, 'To Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allah! Recompense me for my affliction and replace it for me with something better,' but Allah will recompense him for his affliction and replace it with something better for him." It is not permitted to show discontent and utter any foul statements such as those mentioned in the question.
These sayings are regarded not only as great Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Shari`ah and Muslims of sound intellect) but also as flagrant Kufr because it is an objection to Allah (Exalted be He) and mocking at His allencompassing Knowledge. Whoever says such things should truly repent to Allah (Exalted be He). It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Anyone who (during a calamity) slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes, and follows the ways of the Days of Ignorance is not one of us." (Agreed upon by AlBukhari and Muslim)This Hadith is narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "I have no concern with that woman who wails loudly, shaves her hair, and tears (her garment in grief)." (Agreed upon by AlBukhari and Muslim)from Abu Musa AlAsh`ary (may Allah be merciful with him). May Allah grant us success!