ADMONITION PERTAINING TO THE USAGE OF FIREWORKS
by – Muftī Aḥmed Yār Khān Naʿīmī
Discussing the various customs prevalent during Islamic months, the noble Muftī writes:
On the occasion of Laylat ul-Barā’ah (15th night of Shaʿbān), Muslim children play fireworks on the streets, due to which, it becomes difficult to walk on the roads and in many places, incidents of burning take place.
[Islāmī Zindagī, p. 73]
It has been widely narrated [mash’hūr] about fireworks that they were invented by the tyrant Nimrod. When he put Sayyidunā Ibrāhīm alayhis salām into the fire, it turned into a garden of roses and daffodils. Then his henchmen prepared fireworks, lit them and threw them at Sayyidunā Khalīlullāh alayhis salām.
The Hindus of Kathiawad play fireworks on the occasions of Holi and Diwali. In the Indian Subcontinent, the Muslims adopted this custom (of the usage of fireworks) from the Hindus. Alas! The Hindus have left this custom but millions of rupees, every year, are being wasted by the Muslims (for fireworks). Every year, there is news of so and so number of houses getting burnt or so and so number of men getting burnt to death, due to fireworks. There is danger to life, squandering of wealth and a possibility of houses getting burnt, due to fireworks. The usage of fireworks is akin to burning one’s own wealth and therefore disobedience of Allāh, exalted is He! For the sake of Allāh! Abstain from this ridiculous and prohibited [harām] act. Dissuade your kith and kin from this act. Do not even go to watch the tamasha where vagabonds are carrying it out. Manufacturing fireworks, buying or selling them, or persuading someone to buy them, are all harām.
[Islāmī Zindagī, p. 78]