RE: SEXUAL MISDEMEANOURS BY PEOPLE OF ‘TRUST’
Regarding this issue, we reproduce a Brother’s letter:
As salaam u alaikum warah matul lahi wa barakatu
Dear Respected Moulana
In reference to the current issue pertaining to the sexual misdemeanors by a Hifz Ustaad, I had typed out the below message back in 2022 to send to you and then did not do so due to respect for Moulana Y (Name withheld by us –The Majlis). I still respect his seniority, however I feel the info would shed light as to just how long this saga is going on for, and we are aware of the culprit repeating the offences even after the initial story as below.
My sincere feeling is that perhaps your respected self can speak directly to Moulana Y, and guide him on how to handle this matter whereby he can retain the izzat and honor of the community and masjids but also get the perpetrator removed from active involvement with leadership roles within society.
Please read on for your reference…
2022 Draft Saved…
As salaam u alaikum warah matul lahi wa barakathu
Dear Respected Moulana
Please can you proffer some naseehat on the following matter:
In October last year, it was brought to the attention of the most senior ulema of our locality (Overport), i.e , Respected Moulana Y and Respected Moulana X that a certain Ustaad who ran his own Hifz Madressa was involved in perpetrating perverted acts on the young adolescent boys. The most that came out was that he was “Sucking their toes” and “Massaging their heads” while taking their Sabak in seclusion, away from the other students.
One of the kids complained to his father, who then investigated the matter only to find more cases plus old cases that were kept under the carpet from another madressa where this ustaad taught at previously.
When the complaint reached the local ulema (as above), they were shocked and Respected Y Saheb committed to the plaintiff that if the said allegations are true he will immediately remove this Ustaad from 1. Imaamat 2. Close his madressa 3. Recall him back from jamaat (as he was out at the time, and mind you too, he was Ameer of the Jamaat). So once the student was brought and gave testimony, Respected Moulana Y immediately enacted the above commitments and once the ustaad returned from Jamaat (2 weeks later) the above ulema held a meeting with the suspect and the plaintiff’s representative.
The ustaad confessed to his wrong doings however the plaintiff was heavily interrogated and the explanation was given by Respected Moulana X that he has to verify the narrative of the story.
The accusations were also bolstered by the fact that another ustaad from their own circle confirmed 3 previous cases which were swept under as mentioned above.
This suspect, now culprit, was sent to Respected Moulana Y for his reformation and he spent the last few months in Moulana’s musjid and they even sent him to Palestine for itikaaf to make his islaah, not sure how that went down.
The issue we have is that some of us in the community have stopped going to Moulana Y Saheb’s Musjid due to the fact that Respected Moulana has now given this ustaad the musallah again where he makes occasional Imaamat.
Due to the fact that his actions are not stemming from recent only, and there have been reports received during the investigation process from his own fellow madressa colleagues that the “Joke” around him in madressa days was that he was “Gay” or had those tendencies, together with confirmed reports from others of this same ustaad’s father having the same issue and was removed from any position of leadership, we find it very difficult to believe that a mere 6 months is all it takes for someone of this caliber to be given leadership again.
We urgently seek Hazrat’s advice on this matter, we had asked someone close to Moulana Y to share with him our feelings however he was told “My door is always open and we can’t judge his Tauba”
We are not saying he should be written off, we are simply saying it’s too soon to integrate as a leader. Humble request for advice. Jazakallah khair
(End of the Brother’s letter)
Comment
It is not an issue of the culprits’s Taubah being accepted. Allah Ta’ala forgives all sins regardless of how numerous and how vile and great if Taubah is made with Ikhlaas. But this is not the issue. The issue is that the perpetrator is suffering from a nafsaani disease which is so embedded in him that eradication is not a simple matter.
Furthermore, it is extremely careless to allow any leadership or ta’leemi position to such a person. The public is aware and feels uncomfortable to follow him in Salaat and fearful for their children being taught by him.
The Shariah takes into account the emotions of the public at large. Hence, it is Makrooh to appoint an illegitimate person to the post of Imaamate. Even if the person is pious and learned, but if his status of being waladuz zina is public knowledge, he should not be made the Imaam despite his status not being his fault.
Now, the vile perpetrations of the miscreant in this case, renders his status worse than that of an illegitimate person. Thus it is recklessness, to say the least, to appoint the sexual offender Imaam or to allow him to teach children.
Having sent him to Palestine for I’tikaaf was nonsensical. In fact, they had acted with extreme puerility by rewarding him with a merrymaking trip. The Maulana Saheb should have imposed on him the job of daily cleaning the toilets.
1 Rajab 1446 – 1 January 2025