Popular Al-'Aradat
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Fatwa No. ( 4118 )
Q: A discussion has arisen between us and some of the brothers from our village regarding the specific 'Arada of the lands of Ghamid and Zahran. Some of the brothers have permitted it, some have disliked it, and some have forbidden it. As for those who permitted it, their argument is that the Abyssinians had specific games, and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab objected, but the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told him to leave them alone so that the Jews and Christians would know that there is ease in our religion. They argue that the 'Arada is a sign of manliness and bravery, that it is an old custom in the villages, and that the government has approved it. As for the argument of those who disliked it, it is that it involves waste and the loss of time; if it does not distract from performing an obligatory duty, they say there is no harm in it. As for those who said it is forbidden, they cited the following evidence: First, the foundation of the 'Arada is the zayr, which is one of the flutes of Satan. Second, the poets and the poets of the region are mostly characterized by begging through modern artistic techniques, elevating the lowly and lowering the noble in order to earn money. Third, there is waste, as the amount given to each poet reaches five thousand or more in most cases, as well as the one who plays the zayr and his assistants, meaning that the night on which the 'Arada is held does not cost less than ten thousand riyals or more, depending on the scale of the occasion. Fourth, arrogance, pride, and a love of showing off appear on most of the people of the 'Arada—that is, those who enter its arena—and since what is called video has been introduced to film its events and display them later inside the houses, it has added to the problem, and the 'Arada has become a dance where they sway to the right and to the left. Fifth, women mostly appear on the rooftops of houses to watch the 'Arada arena, and the video enters the houses, which entails harms. Sixth, the time of the 'Arada, if held at night—which is the norm—extends to after midnight, and the congregational Fajr prayer of that night is lost, except for whom Allah has mercy, due to the fatigue and exhaustion that befalls the bodies. Seventh, as soon as you hear the sound of the zayr, the places become crowded with cars, and you see people gathered individually and in groups, some of whom have spent their lives in age, so you see the owners of canes leaning on their sticks, and they
through modern artistic methods, elevating the base and lowering the noble in order to earn money. Thirdly: there is extravagance, as what is given to each poet reaches five thousand or more, in most cases, as well as the one who beats the drum and his assistants, meaning that the night on which the performance is held does not cost less than ten thousand riyals or more, depending on the scale of the occasion. Fourthly: most of the people of the performance—meaning those who enter its arena—display arrogance, pride, and a love of showing off. Since what is called video has been used to film its events and display them later inside homes, it has added to the problem, and the performance has become a dance where they sway to the right and to the left. Fifthly: women generally appear on the rooftops of houses to watch the arena of the performance, and the video enters the homes, and in this there are the harms involved. Sixthly: the time of the performance, if it is held at night—and this is the norm—extends to after midnight, and the congregational prayer of Fajr on that night is lost, except for whom Allah has mercy, due to the exhaustion and fatigue that befalls the bodies. Seventhly: as soon as you hear the sound of the drum, the places become crowded with cars, and you see people gathered as individuals and groups, some of whom have spent their lives, so you see the owners of canes leaning on their sticks, and they have
participated in the performance; because they forget their condition at this time. This is the state of the performance, and these are the opinions of the groups regarding it, and I have placed them before your eminence; so please be gracious enough to answer us on them in detail, and we are executors of whatever you rule, if Allah wills. Our trust is great that your ruling is based on knowledge and understanding of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the truth is more deserving of being followed. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
A:
Q: A discussion has arisen between us and some of the brothers from our village regarding the specific 'Arada of the lands of Ghamid and Zahran. Some of the brothers have permitted it, some have disliked it, and some have forbidden it. As for those who permitted it, their argument is that the Abyssinians had specific games, and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab objected, but the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) told him to leave them alone so that the Jews and Christians would know that there is ease in our religion. They argue that the 'Arada is a sign of manliness and bravery, that it is an old custom in the villages, and that the government has approved it. As for the argument of those who disliked it, it is that it involves waste and the loss of time; if it does not distract from performing an obligatory duty, they say there is no harm in it. As for those who said it is forbidden, they cited the following evidence: First, the foundation of the 'Arada is the zayr, which is one of the flutes of Satan. Second, the poets and the poets of the region are mostly characterized by begging through modern artistic techniques, elevating the lowly and lowering the noble in order to earn money. Third, there is waste, as the amount given to each poet reaches five thousand or more in most cases, as well as the one who plays the zayr and his assistants, meaning that the night on which the 'Arada is held does not cost less than ten thousand riyals or more, depending on the scale of the occasion. Fourth, arrogance, pride, and a love of showing off appear on most of the people of the 'Arada—that is, those who enter its arena—and since what is called video has been introduced to film its events and display them later inside the houses, it has added to the problem, and the 'Arada has become a dance where they sway to the right and to the left. Fifth, women mostly appear on the rooftops of houses to watch the 'Arada arena, and the video enters the houses, which entails harms. Sixth, the time of the 'Arada, if held at night—which is the norm—extends to after midnight, and the congregational Fajr prayer of that night is lost, except for whom Allah has mercy, due to the fatigue and exhaustion that befalls the bodies. Seventh, as soon as you hear the sound of the zayr, the places become crowded with cars, and you see people gathered individually and in groups, some of whom have spent their lives in age, so you see the owners of canes leaning on their sticks, and they
through modern artistic methods, elevating the base and lowering the noble in order to earn money. Thirdly: there is extravagance, as what is given to each poet reaches five thousand or more, in most cases, as well as the one who beats the drum and his assistants, meaning that the night on which the performance is held does not cost less than ten thousand riyals or more, depending on the scale of the occasion. Fourthly: most of the people of the performance—meaning those who enter its arena—display arrogance, pride, and a love of showing off. Since what is called video has been used to film its events and display them later inside homes, it has added to the problem, and the performance has become a dance where they sway to the right and to the left. Fifthly: women generally appear on the rooftops of houses to watch the arena of the performance, and the video enters the homes, and in this there are the harms involved. Sixthly: the time of the performance, if it is held at night—and this is the norm—extends to after midnight, and the congregational prayer of Fajr on that night is lost, except for whom Allah has mercy, due to the exhaustion and fatigue that befalls the bodies. Seventhly: as soon as you hear the sound of the drum, the places become crowded with cars, and you see people gathered as individuals and groups, some of whom have spent their lives, so you see the owners of canes leaning on their sticks, and they have
participated in the performance; because they forget their condition at this time. This is the state of the performance, and these are the opinions of the groups regarding it, and I have placed them before your eminence; so please be gracious enough to answer us on them in detail, and we are executors of whatever you rule, if Allah wills. Our trust is great that your ruling is based on knowledge and understanding of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the truth is more deserving of being followed. And peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
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Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.