Part 6
Karim Akrami
The Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin’s Recommendation on Abandoning Harmful Customs (Part Two)
In the first part of this article, we examined the roots and examples of harmful customs in light of Decree No. 17 issued by the Amir al-Mu’minin (HA). Beyond banning those customs, the decree matters for the positive results its implementation can bring to the personal and social lives of Afghans.
Official and field reports show that enforcement of the decree has significantly reduced unnecessary expenses in many provinces and made family life easier.
For example, the Ghor Provincial Department for the Promotion of Virtue, Prevention of Vice and Hearing of Complaints has announced that, following the implementation of the Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin’s decree, its muhtasibs have put a stop to 300 instances of customs and practices contrary to Sharia in the province. Most of these cases involved wedding ceremonies, unnecessary expenses and extravagance. These figures show that the leadership’s decree hasn’t remained only a recommendation on paper; it has been put into practice and has produced notable positive results.
Another result of the decree is the reduction of the heavy financial burden that has made life difficult for families for years, particularly for young people preparing to marry. At a joint meeting of muhtasibs and religious scholars in Sar-e Pol Province, it was reported that many young people had been forced to leave the country because of the high costs of marriage and unnecessary customs. This shows the direct link between harmful customs and social problems such as youth migration.
With the implementation of Decree No. 17, families will no longer be forced to spend beyond their means to protect their social standing, and young people will be able to consider starting a family without such financial pressure.
At a meeting of scholars in Baghlan Province, too, it was stressed that harmful customs surrounding weddings, Fatiha ceremonies, mourning gatherings and Hajj impose a heavy financial burden on people and sometimes cause problems for families. Implementing the decree will therefore help improve families’ financial circumstances, strengthen family ties and prevent family breakdown.
Implementing the decree brings religious and moral benefits as well. At a public awareness meeting in Badghis Province, representatives of the Ulema Council and the Provincial Department of Hajj and Religious Affairs, citing Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH), stressed the need to avoid harmful customs and return to the Sunnah. This shows that the leadership’s decree is consistent with the principles of Sharia, and that putting it into practice helps strengthen society’s commitment to religious values.
Likewise, at a public awareness meeting in Faryab Province, it was made clear that the decree aims to prevent unnecessary spending and harmful social customs associated with weddings, condolence ceremonies, Hajj and Umrah. At the same time, it paves the way for making moderation and simplicity the norm in social affairs. This shows that the Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin’s goal goes beyond prohibiting harmful customs: it is to establish a culture of Islamic moderation and simple living in place of extravagance and competition.
The role of the media and cultural institutions in explaining and promoting the decree is significant too. At a coordination meeting in Daikundi Province, the provincial director of Information and Culture called on media outlets to regularly publish public awareness materials about Decree No. 17 so that cultural change could take hold in society and harmful customs would not spread. This shows that the decree’s success depends on joint and coordinated efforts from all the relevant parties. In this process, scholars, officials, the media and the people themselves all have important roles to play.
In the same vein, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has held a meeting to make sure the decree is implemented effectively. The Foreign Minister stressed that the continuation of harmful and un-Islamic customs tramples Islamic principles underfoot, imposes an unnecessary financial burden on people and creates widespread dissatisfaction.
Decree No. 17 of the Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin (HA) is more than an administrative order; it’s a comprehensive approach to reforming the culture of Afghan society. Its effects can be seen in reduced family expenses, the prevention of youth migration, stronger family structures, a firmer commitment to religious values and the promotion of simple living.
Fully realizing these results requires continued public awareness efforts, cooperation between scholars and officials, and the people’s support. The experience in Ghor Province, where 300 instances of customs and practices contrary to Sharia were prevented, shows that firm determination and coordination among the relevant institutions can curb such practices and guide society towards a simpler way of life in accordance with Islam. This is the very ideal that the Esteemed Amir al-Mu’minin (HA) is working to achieve, and its fulfilment would benefit individuals, families and the whole Islamic society.
