I SO do not understand how this can be a big deal at all. This is one of the things that I just do not understand about Islaml. I converted to Islam less than a year ago, but a big obstacle I find is the intolerance of the muslims I meet.
I talk to some of my muslim friends and they tell me that this intolerance is not islam -- that a lot of this is cultural misunderstanding.
Maybe the pork in the store is offensive like if I went to a store and found monkey meat? But what is the point to be so angry? I do not eat monkey meat...but there are probably those that do. And who am I to prevent this?
Am I so important that I should make the world change to meet my wants? Or should I just accept it and move on? I will live my life and try to be my best in Allah.
Muslims have such intolerance for the west....and I am starting to realize that this is the reason the west is becoming intolerant of Islam.
Asslam u Alaikum wr wb dear sister,
Congratulations and welcome to islam.
Sister you are mixing tolerence with "allowing an evil to be prevailed". We have no problem when a non-muslim is selling pork to another non-muslim. We have no problem when a non-muslim has girl friend or boy friend. We are very much tolerant here. Definition of good and evil is very much different to a muslim and a non-muslim.
The subject matter in this thread is selling pork along with halal meat by muslims in an islamic country. Consumption and any kind of involvement in pork is strictly prohibited by Allah SWT (who is the creator of heavens and earth and everything in between ...and who is the legislator). If any Muslim is invloved in such sort of activity, then it is certainly an evil and it must be denounced.
Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is one of the greatest principles of Islam. Some scholars regard it as a pillar of Islam. What every Muslim must do is enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. This does not apply only to some Muslims and not others, rather it is obligatory upon every Muslim who knows anything of the religion of Allaah to convey it, whether it is a command or a prohibition.
Allaah has described the believers as denouncing evil and as enjoining what is good. He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al‑Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al‑Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)”
[al-Tawbah 9:71]
“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:104]
Evil actions should be changed by any accountable person who sees them and is able to do something about it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, then let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.” Narrated by Muslim (70) from Abu Sa’eed.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim: The words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “let him change it” mean that this is obligatory according to the consensus of the ummah, and there is overwhelming evidence from the Qur’aan and Sunnah and scholarly consensus that it is obligatory to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and it also comes under the heading of naseehah (sincerity or sincere advice) which is Islam.
Al-‘Allaamah al-Quraafi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Furooq (4/257): The scholars said that enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is obligatory and should be done immediately, according to consensus, and whoever is able to enjoin what is good should do so immediately.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah, His angels, and the inhabitants of heaven and earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish, send blessings – i.e., pray for good – upon the one who teaches the people good.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2609) and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ hadeeth no 1839.
May Allaah help us all to do that which He loves and which pleases Him.
And Allah knows best
Wa Alaikum Salam wr wb
Source:IslamQA