In these trying times, everyone’s on edge and the choice of words by famed religious cleric Maulana Tariq Jamil during his bayaan with Imran Khan have caused some people to feel upset.

Last night, Maulana Tariq Jamil appeared on air as a part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Ehsaas Telethon

He was invited to initiate a collective dua for the general public and also to guide people on how to take preventive measures amidst the pandemic. In his bayaan, the cleric quoted incidents of plagues in history and elaborated how these were natural disasters sent from God that ordinary human beings were not capable on battling on their own and how begging for repentance from God was the only way to get release from this calamity. He also emphasized on the need to take necessary safety precautions since he clarified that protection of one’s life is also an important facet of religion.

In fact, he quoted a Hadith where the Prophet dissuaded people from coming to the mosque simply because it was raining and he didn’t want his people to experience any unease. By quoting this example on live television, the cleric lay stress on the importance of how an important part of religion is to be mindful of the safety of oneself and also the community as a whole.

A lot of people appreciated the bayaan by Maulana Tariq Jamil for discussing the importance of praying from home and preventing the spread of the virus

https://twitter.com/LadyBibliovert/status/1241762057831288832?s=20

In his bayaaan Maulana Tariq Jamil also spoke out about his dissatisfaction about the level of morality in our country and that did not sit well with quite a few people

He especially displayed his dismay over the clothing choices of women and their desire to dance. According to him, when a Muslim’s daughter practices immodesty and the youth indulges in immorality, then Allah’s azaab is unto such a nation. He then quoted the example of quom-e-Loot and how Allah consequently sent them several azaab because they crossed all boundaries when it came to morality.

Several people called the cleric out for putting the responsibility of the pandemic on the modesty of women and not for those engaging in hateful acts such as rape and harassment.

Some expressed concern over the repercussions of simply blaming women for the virus

https://twitter.com/itsthepianoguy/status/1253529059142836224?s=20

Others lamented over the hypocrisy of the words

However, a lot of people called out those who were dissatisfied with the words of the Maulana

In fact, many people were moved by the emotional dua

Especially with the parts at the end where he asked for Allah’s forgiveness and protection and safety of the entire nation.

https://twitter.com/citrinebender/status/1253525131651145728?s=20

Tbh, while there were definitely many praise worthy component of the entire sermon, I think simplifying natural disasters to be simply a consequence of the actions of women lays out a controversial precedent in a society that is already hard for them.

Here’s the full bayaan by Maulana Tariq Jamil from last night