A FRIEND sent me a cartoon from a Saudi newspaper showing people busy on mobile phones at a wedding party – as well as a funeral.
Though this is a reality, it is unacceptable.
I have written several times on etiquette, public taste and incorrect practices during gatherings, especially those organised to mourn.
All of us go to such events, whether at people’s homes or elsewhere, and we observe such occasions are used to conclude deals and enter into commercial transactions, rather than mourn with the affected family.
This is an immoral and incorrect practice we follow but we continue with it nevertheless. I wonder why we do not change ourselves because that is the correct thing to do.
Grief is sometimes severe and overwhelming and it thus becomes very necessary to have the correct behaviour. I do not mean here to avoid speaking to one another but it must be taken into account not to raise your voice, avoid arguments, discussions and laughter as if we were at a happy occasion.
Islam is replete with many wonderful directions and there are many sermons in this regard. We also note there is non-compliance while attending seminars, memorial ceremonies and other occasions that require listening with concentration out of respect for speakers but we often see people busy in side conversations or having fun with their mobile phones. This gives the impression of a lack of interest in the event and causes a lot of embarrassment.
I have a suggestion, however, for people not to indulge in such behaviour, at least during mourning gatherings. Why don’t we play verses from the Holy Quran throughout the event so that mourners are forced into reverence? Hopefully, this will work.
I hope that my suggestion will be implemented in the public interest.
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