Pre-Ramadhaan & Pre-Eid Shopping Markets & Souks
QUESTION: As we approach Ramadan, some Muslim towns and communities arrange a Ramadan shopping market. Muslims – men and woman – frequent these markets. The same is arranged in the name of Eid. Are such markets which are also known as Souks, allowed to attend and endorsed in the Deen?
ANSWER: Such markets in the name of Ramadhaan and Eid have nothing to do with Deen, nor are they Deeni. We had issued articles in the past regarding these shopping sprees. Our articles are available on our website.
These days, much Haraam plagues such markets and shopping sprees. Generally, when attending such functions, one will assume everything to be Halaal which one will see, observe and buy there. Unlike when attending a normal shopping complex, where a Muslim is conscious of his surroundings, etc. He will know the music played, the scantly dressed women and other common un-Islamic things at shops not to be Islamic, hence he will be on his guard. In the event he gets involved in any of the Haraam at a normal shopping complex, he will not justify his sin, but rather resort to Taubah.
It is difficult to expect such to be the case in a shopping market which is made to appear to be ‘Islamic’ by using Islamic words such as Ramadhaan and Eid. The discarding of Hijaab, eating at tables and chairs which is against the Sunnah, freely intermingling, etc. could be seen as ‘no problem’ since ‘this market is to do with Ramadhaan or Eid’. In the unfortunate case, a person is involved in sins at such a market dubbed as ‘Ramadhaan’ or ‘Eid’ shopping festivals or Souks, he may not even resort to Taubah!
Thus, we don’t endorse, permit or encourage Muslims to participate in any such shopping markets.