Magic
Real Magic is of only one type – shirk. The other type of magic is fake magic, and this includes modern day tricks and illusions. Both types, however, are haram. We are concerned primarily here with the real type of magic.
The reality of magic is seeking help from the jinn. Jinn are made of smokeless fire. They can take different forms, they are invisible to us, and they are stronger than men on average. They can transform matter and transport it even through walls,
“He said: “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?” An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: “I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work.” One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: “I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!” then when [Sulaiman (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful.”” (27:38-40)
Men have been preferred over jinn by Allah, and this is proven when Allah commanded the jinn to prostrate to Adam. Men have been preferred over jinn due to being given knowledge and intellect. Jinn learn our languages, and follow the religions we follow. Since the time of Adam, the jinn have suffered from an inferiority complex.
Generally speaking the worlds of men and jinn do not cross each other. The only intentional encounter that exists between the two is that of black magic.
The nature of jinns is that they crave attention and adoration. In order for the jinn to work for you, it must be ‘pleased’, i.e. worshipped.
No human being other than Sulaymaan (as) can control jinn. All black magicians worship Shaytaan. Even pious Jews and Christians will not be black magicians. Black magic is literally selling one’s soul to the devil.
“They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew.” (2:102)
Types of Magic
- Summon jinns to attack or even kill other people, or take over their bodies.
- Summon jinns to break marriages, prevent or hinder intercourse. This is the most common type of black magic and is what was mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah.
- Blow on knots with incantations. This is mentioned in Surah Falaq (“And from the evil of the witchcrafts when they blow in the knots,” (113:4) and happened to the Prophet(saw) but didn’t affect the religion or Quran as the orientalists claim. It just made him forget if he was with one of his wives or not. This also shows virtue in Surah an-Nas and al-Falaq infighting magic.
- Fighting magic with magic. This is when someone tries to use “white” magic or try to use magic to lift other spells. It is not possible for someone to have control of the jinn after Propphet Sulayman (as). Once “while praying an obligatory prayer, he (saw) clenched his fist (during it), so when he had finished, the people said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, did something happen during the prayer?’ He said: No, except that the devil wanted to pass in front of me, so I strangled him until I could feel the coldness of his tongue on my hand By Allaah! Had my brother Sulaimaan not beaten me to it (38:35-38), I would have tied him (the devil) to one of the pillars of the mosque so that the children of Madinah could walk round him. (Ahmad)
- Those whom the jinns whisper to, while pretending to see future; any type of fortune-tellers. The Prophet (saw) said, “They (the Jinn) would pass the information back down until it reaches the lips of a magician fortune-teller. Sometimes a meteor would overtake them before they could pass it on. If they passed it on before being struck, they would add to it a hundred lies.” (Al-Bukhari and Tirmidhi)
- Looking at the stars to predict the future.
We can see from the ayah in Surah al-Baqarah that practicing magic is kufr. The Prophet (saw) also said, “Whoever ties a knot and blows into it has practiced sorcery, and whosoever practiced sorcery has associated partners with Allaah. Whoever wears anything for protection (i.e. talismans, pendants etc.) will be left in its care.” (An-Nasaa’ee)
“Keep away from the seven destructive sins!” They said, “What are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He answered, “Associating partners with Allaah; Practicing Sorcery; taking a life, which Allaah has made forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islaamic Law); eating Riba (usury) eating up an orphan’s wealth; fleeing from the battle field at the time of fighting (with the unbelievers); and accusing chaste women, who never think of anything that can touch their chastity and who are good believers, of fornication.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
The penalty for practicing magic is death.
“Capital punishment for the sorcerer has been authentically reported from three companions of the Prophet. It is reported from Umar that he wrote, “Kill every sorcerer and sorceress.” Bujaalah (a sub-narrator) said, “Then we killed three sorceresses.” It is also authentically reported from Hafsah that she ordered a maid of hers to be killed because she did sorcery on her.” Jundub bin Kaab was also authentically reported that he beheaded a magician who was playing his magic in front of Waleed and said, “Let him use his magic for his own benefit now.” (Al-Imaam Ahmad)
Astrology vs. Astronomy
Astronomy: Physical science which maps the movement of stars.
Astrology: Paranormal, metaphysical craft which pretends to predict the future. Zodiacal signs come under this category.
“Allah created these stars for three reasons: (i) To adorn the heaven, (ii) as missiles against the devils and (ii) as signs by which (the traveller) may be guided; and so whoever claims more than this for them has is erroneous and has lost his reward (on the Day of Resurrection) and taken upon himself that of which he has no knowledge.” (Al-Bukhari)
“We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps (stars), and We have made them the means of driving away shayaateen.” (Al-Mulk, 67:5)
“…as well as the stars; to be used for navigation” (An-Nahl, 16:16)
Fortune telling is the least form of black magic.
Ibn Abbaas reported that the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever learns a part of astrology, has learnt a part of magic. Those who learn more accumulate more.” (Abu Dawud)
“Whoever visits a soothsayer and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.” (Related by Abu Dawood and Al-Haakim in his Mustadrak)
“Whoever went to a fortune-teller and asked him about some matter (i.e. of the unseen), will have his prayer rejected for forty days.” (Muslim)
This hadith does not mention believing the fortune-teller, its simply asking them, even if for fun.
To believe anything from them is kufr and just going is sin. If you believe what they have said, then you have given them an Attribute of Allah.
To combat black magic is by turning to Allah. The jinn cannot bear to hear the Quran, so if someone cannot bear to hear the Quran, then this is a sign of black magic.
Read MoreOmens
Omens today would be what most people call superstitions. This could include a black cat crossing your path, bad luck from breaking a mirror, etc.
What is sinful is to believe in an omen and act upon it. An example of this is to change direction after a black cat crosses your path. To feel a sense of dread when you see one, then this is not shirk.
“Seeking omens is shirk, seeking omens is shirk.” (Ahmad)
Ibn Mas’ood added, “There is none amongst us but feels something in his heart but Allaah can remove it through tawakkul.” (Tirmidhi)
This means that we should not act upon superstitions.
Good omens
Optimism is a part of emaan, therefore anything that helps one to be optimistic is encouraged and is praiseworthy. A mu’min is always optimistic. Hope is a sign of emaan.
“No contagious disease and no omens, and I like al-fa’l (a good omen).” It was said, “And what is a good omen? He said, “A good phrase.” (Muslim)
This is a good sign you think is from Allah, and it must be optimistic. An example of this is making du’a to be blessed with something, and it’s a cloudy day, then you see the sun shining. A more obvious example is a good dream.
The Prophet (saw) would even seek good omens in people’s names. An example of this is in the incident at Hudaibiyah, when Suhail came, the Prophet (saw) said, “Now the matter has become easy.” (Bukhari)
This was a play on words of ‘Suhail’ and his saying Suhail has come to make things sahalah (easy).
By wearing talisman, you give the power of harm and benefit to something other than Allah when only Allah has that power. This is shirk in Ruboobiyyah. It is shirk in Uloohiyyah because you put your trust (tawakkul) into it.
Another example is after supplicating for rain, the Prophet (saw) turned his cloak inside out. This was a fa’il (good omen). They used to do this a symbol for signifying change – i.e. from drought to rain.
Ibn al-Qayyim also mentioned once that he lost his son during hajj and thought he had died or been kidnapped. Then he saw a people who became excited after finding a lost camel, so he took that as a good omen and then found his son.
In general, talismans and omens are shirk.
- When a person uses a talisman or omen, they often put their tawakkul in other than Allah
- Give powers of Ruboobiyyah to other than Allah
Major shirk occurs if they give the talisman complete power, and it is minor shirk if they think that Allah has given the taweez, for example, powers.
Read MoreTalismans
Rule: To ascribe any type of supernatural power to other than Allah, or to believe that an object in and of itself can cause harm or good, is pure shirk.
“We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized you with evil.” He said: “I call Allaah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from that what you associate (with Allah), besides Him! So scheme (your worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allaah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has grasp of its fore-lock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.” ( Hood, 11:54-56)
“And should you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ They would most certainly say: ‘Allaah’. Say: ‘Have you then considered that what you call upon besides Allah, would they, if Allaah desires to afflict me with harm, be the removers of His harm, or (would they), if Allaah desires to show me mercy, be the withholders of His Mercy?’ Say: ‘Allah is sufficient for me; in Him do the reliant put their trust.” (Az-Zumar, 39:38)
Talismans and omens are superstitions in all societies and cultures, they are a manifestation of weakness. People use them to
- Protect themselves or their children, or animals
- Cure from sickness
- Bring good luck
- Increase love between the spouses.
Or it can be said they are used to bring good, keep good, prevent evil, and lift evil.
Some examples of modern day talismans include a rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover, horseshoe, etc.
“Surely, incantations, talismans, and tiwalah are shirk.” (Related by At-Tirmidhee, Abu Daawood and others)
Tiwalah was a special type of talisman worn by women that they thought would make their husbands love them more.
It was narrated from ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir al-Juhani that a group came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (to swear their allegiance (bay’ah) to him). He accepted the bay’ah of nine of them but not of one of them. They said, “O Messenger of Allah, you accepted the bay’ah of nine but not of this one.” He said, “He is wearing an amulet.” The man put his hand (in his shirt) and took it off, then he (the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) accepted his bay’ah. He said, ‘Whoever wears an amulet has committed shirk.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 16969)
The Prophet (saw) would accept Islam from people who drank and committed sins. It is not a prerequisite to give up sins to become Muslims, but for this act it is shirk and thus Islam could not be accepted from such a person.
‘Umraan narrated that the Prophet (saw) saw a man wearing a copper bracelet on his arm and he said to him “Woe to you, what is this?” He replied, “To protect me from weakness (rheumatism).” The Prophet (saw) said, Indeed, this only increases your weakness. Throw it away, for if you die wearing it, you will never attain success. (Reported by Ahmad, by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, and by Ibn Maajah without “Throw it away” to the end.)
The fact that such a person would never be successful shows that it is shirk.
“Whoever hangs something will be left to it.” (At-Tirmidhi)
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood once saw his wife wearing a knotted thread around her neck. He pulled at it and broke it, saying, “The family of ‘Abdullah is free of associating anything with Allah for which He has sent no authority. Then he said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) say, ‘Incantations, amulets and tiwalah are shirk.’
I said, “Why do you say this? By Allah, my eye was weeping with a discharge and I kept going to so and so, the Jew, who did a spell for me. When he did the spell, it calmed down.” ‘Abdullaah said: “That was just the work of the Shaytaan who was picking it with his hand, and when (the Jew) uttered the spell, he stopped. All you needed to do was to say as the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to say: ‘Adhhib il-ba’s, Rabb al-naas, ishfi anta al-Shaafi, laa shifaa’a illa shifaa’uka shifaa’an laa yughaadiru saqamaa (Remove the harm, O Lord of mankind, and heal, You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your healing, a healing which leaves no disease behind.’” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 3883; Ibn Maajah, 3530)
All types of talismans are a manifestation of shirk. The most common of talismans is the cross.
“Whoever puts a talisman on his animal then Muhammad has nothing to do with him.” (Abu Daawood)
What about Quranic Verses?
This cannot be shirk because it is the Speech of Allah, and it is allowed to seek refuge in it. The Quran is uncreated and an Attribute of Allah.
To wear Quranic verses is also not an innovation because it is narrated some Sahabah wore it. The stronger opinion though, is that it is discouraged.
“We used to recite upon our ill and we asked the Prophet (SAS) if we can do that after Islaam. He said, ‘Recite to me what you recite.’ Then he said, ‘There is no problem with it unless it contains shirk.” (Muslim)
“They (the companions of Abdullaah bin Mas’ud (RA)) used to dislike every type of amulet and talisman whether they contained the verse of Qur’aan or anything else.” (Ibraaheem An-Nakha’ee)
Ibn Mas’ood (ra) said, “They used to hate all types of talismans, Quranic ones and non-Quranic ones.”
The Prophet (saw) never did this even though the Quran was written down during his time.
When a person sees someone wearing Quran, they can’t tell if it is Quran or not.
It is disrespectful to wear Quran because you will do things like going to the bathroom.
Read MoreTabarruk
Tabarruk means attaining barakah. Linguistically it means to remain and linger, or to nurture and generate. A pool of water in Arabic is called birkah.
Islamically it means something that remains. It refers to the presence of divine blessings in an object and increasing those blessings. For example there are blessings in food, or a person. If a food has barakah, instead of feeding one person, it can feed three or four.
“The food of one is sufficient for two, and the food for two is sufficient for four, and the food for four is sufficient for eight.” (Muslim)
For something to have barakah, then the source of that barakah must come from Allah, it cannot come from any other being. To say someone can put barakah in something is to make them a deity.
A proof of this is the meaning of tabaarak. It means,
- He is exalted (in His perfection, and His being and from all defects),
- He is holy and blessed,
- All good emanates from Him.
“Say, `O Allah, Lord of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whomsoever You please; and You take away sovereignty from whomsoever You please. You exalt whomsoever You please and You abase whomsoever You please. In Your hand is all good. You surely have power to do all things.” (Aali ‘Imraan, 3:26)
“Say, `All grace is in the hand of Allah. He gives it to whomsoever He pleases. And Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing.” (Aali ‘Imraan, 3:73)
“All good is in Your hands.” (Related by Al-Bukhari)
Only Allah decides who, what, and when something or someone has barakah.
“Blessed/Exalted is He in Whose hand is the kingdom.” (Al-Mulk, 67:1)
Blessed is He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Quran) to His slave (Muhammad SAW) that he may be a warner to the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns). (25:1)
Some things which are blessed with barakah are:
The Qur’aan:
“And this is a Blessed Book which We have revealed to confirm that which preceded it, and to enable thee to warn the Mother of towns and those around her.” (Al-An’aam, 6:92)
Prophets/Righteous People:
“He made me (Yahyaa) blessed wherever I go.” (Maryam, 19:31)
The Prophet (saw) is especially blessed.
There are blessings of his teachings, his persona, his actions and his du’as.
Examples of his dua’s :
Rain
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from Shuraik on the authority of Anas that a man entered the mosque on Friday while the Prophet was addressing the people. The man said: “O Messenger of Allah, our wealth has been destroyed and we have no transport to the market place. Supplicate for us for rain.” The Prophet raised his hands and said: “O Allah, give us rain. O Allah, give us rain. O Allah, give us rain.” Anas said: “By Allah, at that time there were no clouds in the sky and there was no house or building between us and the mountain. From behind the mountain came a cloud looking like a shield. By the time it reached the middle of the sky, it burst and started to rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun for one week. Then, on the next Friday, a man entered the mosque from that (same) door while the Prophet was making the address. The man faced the Prophet and said: ‘Our livestock is dead and the paths are unpassable. Ask Allah to make it stop.’ The Prophet raised his hands and said: ‘O Allah, around us and not upon us. O Allah, make it upon the hills, small mountains, bottom of the valleys, and plantations.’ The rain stopped and we walked out in the sunshine.”
Abu Hurairah’s Mother
Abu Hurairah longed, and prayed, for her to become a Muslim but she adamantly refused. One day, he invited her to have faith in God alone and follow His Prophet but she uttered some words about the Prophet which saddened him greatly. With tears in his eyes, he went to the noble Prophet who said to him: “What makes you cry, O Abu Hurayrah?” “I have not let up in inviting my mother to Islam but she has always rebuffed me. Today, I invited her again and I heard words from her which I do not like. Do make supplication to God Almighty to make the heart of Abu Hurayrah’s mother incline to Islam.”
The Prophet responded to Abu Hurayrah’s request and prayed for his mother. Abu Hurayrah said: “I went home and found the door closed. I heard the splashing of water and when I tried to enter my mother said: “Stay where you are, O Abu Hurayrah.” And after putting on her clothes, she said, “Enter!” I entered and she said: “I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger.”
Other sources of Barakah
After the Prophet (saw) passed away, Asma’ bin Abi Bakr came in possession of the cloack he used to wear. When someone would fall sick she would cover them with it. (Muslim)
The presence of Angels in general brings barakah.
When they are present, shayateen are not present.
A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet, and told him of that experience. The Prophet said, “That was As-Sakina (tranquility) which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qur’an.” (Bukhari)
Angels don’t enter houses where there is music (bells), or pictures.
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Angels do not accompany the travellers who have with them a dog and a bell. (Muslim)
He (saw) said, “Don’t you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures?” (Bukhari)
Pious people bring about barakah through their teachings and inspiring others.
“And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.” (19:31)
The scholars are the inheritors of knowledge. It is not the physical persona of the scholars that is blessed, but it is their teachings.
Places:
Jabir reports that the Messenger of Allah said: “Prayer in the inviolable mosque (in Makkah) is like 100,000 prayers (elsewhere). And prayers in my mosque (in Medinah) is like one thousand prayers (elsewhere). And a prayer in Bait al-Maqdis (in Jerusalem) is like five hundred prayers (elsewhere). This is related by alBaihaqi, and as-Sayuti says it is hasan.
Ahmad records that the Messenger of Allah said: “Offering salah in my mosque is better than one thousand prayers elsewhere, save for those offered in the inviolable mosque. And salah in the inviolable mosque is better than salah in my mosque by one hundred prayers.”
All masaajid have barakah in them. The Masjid itself is holy not the exact location but the current building. If the masjid is moved, the land doesn’t retain its holiness.
“Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, the area between its two tracts of black stones. Its trees should not be cut down and its animals should not be hunted.” (Muslim)
“Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Al-Aqsaa Mosque, whose precincts We did bless.” (Al-Israa’, 17:1)
“A journey is not to be made except to visit three places, The Holy Mosque (in Makkah), the Mosque of the Messenger (saw) (in Madeenah), and The Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem).” (Al-Bukhari)
This means no other location is intrinsically blessed. This cuts off road to shirk, like visiting graves.
Timings which are Blessed
- Month of Ramadan, Laylatul Qadr.
- 10 days of Dhul Hijjah
- The sacred months (Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, Rajab)
- Friday blessed day (best day that the sun rises)
- Last 1/3 of the night.
- Early morning (esp for obtaining worldly blessings)
- And others.
Factors that Bring Barakah
Barakah comes into our lives by our being good Muslims.
Mentioning Allah’s Name at the beginning of any act, like eating.
Tabarruk with the Prophet (saw) after his death.
Allowed (Obligatory)
Following the Sunnah, defending his honor.
Prohibited
Traveling with the sole intention of visiting the Prophet (saw) is forbidden. We must travel with the intention of worshipping Allah at that holy masjid, then once you are there we should do the other acts like visiting the other sites there. The main purpose of worshipping Allah remains though. We know that we should visit his (saw) grave, it is an act of worship, but our purpose is going to worship Allah in the holy place. Ibn Taymiyyah was jailed over a fatwa in this regards. This is why the hadith said to not undertake a religious journey except to three masaajid. At this time the graveyard was just outside the masjid.
No one prohibits visiting the grave, but the niyyah of undertaking the journey there is the worship of Allah.
The only object that its allowed to kiss or touch to get barakah is the black stone. There is no other object or icon that in and of itself is holy.
It is not allowed to ask the Prophet (saw) to make dua to Allah. None of the companions ever came to his grave and asked for anything, despite the fitnah they faced like the civil war.
It is not allowed to seek the places that the Prophet (saw) prayed in ‘accidentally’ (vs. intentionally). He commanded us to pray in the maqam ibrahim, so we do, but not to places he may have incidentally prayed in.
It is also not allowed to seek blessings by doing “sunnah” or “bid’ah” acts on the day of his birth. This brings up the issue of:
Milad un-Nabee
This comes under tabarruk due to people incorrectly attributing barakah to the 12th of Rabi-al-Awwal.
To show love for the Prophet (saw) we must follow the sunnah.
The date of birth of the Prophet (saw) is the subject of ikhtilaaf and is not agreed upon. There are 10 different opinions on the date. Even the sahabah differed amongst themselves about the date. This shows it is not an important issue, it was just a historical fact. 12th of Rabi al-Awwal is the strongest opinion but it is not 100% conclusive.
If it is a blessed and holy day, then why would the Prophet (saw) not tell us? Most people response that he was too humble to say it. It is narrated in Bukhari that the Prophet (saw) said, “I am the leader of the children of Adam.” He had to tell us this, because if he does not tell us, no one will. He (saw) said in one hadith that, ‘I will hold the flag on the day of judgment but I am not being arrogant.’ Moreover, the Sahabah never celebrated his birthday after his death. In fact, this concept of birthdays was not even found in the Eastern world.
This begs the question as to where it originated. This act was unheard of for centuries. It was unknown to the first generations, the famous Imams, and the scholars of hadith. The first to celebrate it was the Fatimids in Egypt (6th century of Islam). They were an extremely heretical dynasty, and were considered non-Muslim by the scholars of the time. They were an extreme shi’a group (Isma’eelis). Their descendants now are the Agakhanis, Durooz, Alawis, and Bohris. They also celebrated the birth of Ali, Fatima, and even Christmas. So 500 years after the death of the Prophet (saw) the mawlid was celebrated. It was imported into Sunni Islam around 670 AH.
Nawawi and ibn Hajr allowed for certain things but not the mawlid that exists now. They allowed for things that were done generally are good deeds.
Even if mawlid is done without shirk, it is still better to close the door. The people’s intentions and emotions are good, we must use wisdom to help them properly channel it.
Seeking Barakah from the Remnants of the Prophet (saw) After His Death
It is allowed to take barakah from his (saw) remnants, there are many examples of this being done. The problem now, is that it is not possible to verify if they are actually his remnants, and most of them can now be proven to forgeries.
There is nothing left on earth that we can verify 100% as being his. Also, his remnants are not eternal, for example the food in his house.
Tabarruk with ‘saints’
This means assuming saints exude physical barkah. No one exudes barakah except the Prophet (saw).
Ibn Rajab says, “To summarize, these matters are a fitnah for the one who exalts and the one who is exalted, due to the over-exaltation that will occur, and which will lead to bid’ah, and maybe even lead to a type of shirk.” (al-Hikam al-Jadeerah p. 55).
Improper Tabarruk Leads to Shirk
“We were a group of new Muslims who accompanied the Prophet (saw) during the Battle of Hunayn. We passed by a tree that belonged to the polytheists that was called ‘Dhaatu Anwaat’ (that which you hang things on/large green tree). They would hang their swords on this tree to get blessings before a battle. So, we said, ‘Oh, Messenger of Allah, why don’t you make for us a ‘Dhaatu Anwaat’ like they have a ‘Dhaatu Anwaat’. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, ‘Subhaan Allah. You have asked me, by Allah, just like the people of Moosa asked Musa. “Make a god for us, like the gods they have.” (Al-A’raaf, 7:138) I swear by Him, in whose hands is my soul, you are going to follow the path of those before you.”
Shirk is based on intention, if you ascribe the origin of barakah to other than Allah, then this is shirk.
They did not ask for a God, but yet the Prophet (saw) equated it with the act that was blatant shirk.
Laat was the idol of the tribe of Thaqeef. He used to give food to the pilgrims. When he died they made a monument over his grave and it became an idol. The origin of al-Laat is seeking blessings from pious people and over-venerating them.
In the khilafah of Umar some people would go to the tree that the Prophet (saw) sat against when he took the oath of allegiance from sahabah to fight the Quraysh if Uthmaan did not come back. The Bedouins would come and rub their backs on this tree, so Umar cut this tree down. If this tree was still around in our time it would be an idol. (Musannaf Abdur-Razzaq)
He loved the Prophet (saw) more than we do, but he understood tawheed so he did this.
Reasons for this type of bid’ah.
- Ignorance of the reality of tabarruk.
- Over-exalting the status of ‘saints’
- Imitating non-Muslims
- Considering non-sacred places to be sacred
- Analogy between Prophet and saints. None of the sahabah took barakah from each other, nor did the Tabi’oon take barakah from the Sahabah.
- Fabricated stories.
Tawwaf and Sajdah
Tawaaf is allowed only around the Kabah. There is no other object that tawwaf can be done around.
“They shall complete their obligations, fulfill their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House.” (Al-Hajj, 22:29)
Sajdah is the most obvious of the acts of worship. Sajdah means lowering of the head and in this context includes ruku’. It is not allowed to bow one’s head out of respect to other than Allah.
“Prostrate not yourselves before the sun, nor before the moon, but prostrate yourselves before Allah, Who created them, if it is Him Whom you really worship.” (Fussilat, 41:37)
Sajdah is of two types, 1) respect, and 2) worship. In the past sometimes it was done out of respect and not worship. This was allowed in the previous nations. An example of this is the story of Yusuf (as). Another example is the angels prostrating to Adam.
The sajdah of worship is always exclusive to Allah.
In our sharee’ah even the sajdah of respect is forbidden.
Ibn Maajah (1853) narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Abi Awfa said: “When Mu’aadh came from Syria, he prostrated to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who said, ‘What is this, O Mu’aadh?’ He said, ‘I went to Syria and saw them prostrating to their archbishops and patriarchs, and I wanted to do that for you.’ The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Do not do that. If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone other than Allaah, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands.
The sajdah of respect to someone is haram and not shirk, but the sajdah of worship is shirk.
An act of worship is any act that is beloved to Allah.
Every act that Allah loves and is pleased with is an act of worship and to do it for other than Allah is shirk.
Read More