• 4 years ago
29- Ruling on invoking other than Allah
Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim who is stricken with a calamity or distress to beseech the assistance of Allah together with one of the righteous people like Shaykh `Abdul-Qadir Al-Jilany, - may Allah make his inner heart pure? I had a debate with some brothers over this issue. One of them said that he heard a radio station proclaiming that when a calamity strikes the Mu'min (believer), he must say three times: "I beseech you for help, O Abdul-Qadir." They claim that only through this way can a person's distress be removed. Is it also permissible to invoke the help of a righteous man without resorting to Allah? Benefit us may Allah benefit and appreciate your efforts.
A: It is the duty of every Muslim who is stricken with a calamity to beseech the help of Allah Alone (Glorified be He), direct his heart to Him (Glorified and Exalted be He), ask Him to redress his need and remove his distress. In this regard Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil) It is Allah Alone who is capable of answering the call of the constrained. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad ﷺ ), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. Furthermore, Allah (Exalted be He) says: And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation).) Therefore, when a calamity befalls the Mu'min (believer), he must turn to Allah (Exalted be He) for help, ask Him to relieve him of his distress and facilitate his affairs. Beseeching the help of some people like "Abdul-Qadir or others is an act of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). We seek refuge in Allah from this. Thus, it is impermissible for the Muslim to seek the help of `Abdul-Qadir, Al-Sayyid Al-Badawy, Al-Husayn, `Aly Ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) or any other person. It is only Allah (Exalted be He) to whom a person must turn for help. Allah (Glorified be He) says: so invoke not anyone along with Allah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: "And invoke not besides Allah, any such that will neither profit you nor harm you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)." Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He) responds to the call of the constrained, removes evil and shows generosity to His worshippers. A person has to be cautious lest he falls into then of beseeching the assistance of Shaykh `Abdul-Qadir or others. He must be careful lest people convince him that his needs will be fulfilled if he calls "Abdul-Qadir for help. His needs may be fulfilled through the aid of some jinn until the matter ends up with him committing an act of major Shirk. A wise person should not be deceived into believing that his needs were fulfilled when they invoked the assistance of Shaykh `Abdul-Qadir or others. The reason is that the fulfillment of his needs may coincide with the time he sought the help of `Abdul-Qadir. It may also be fulfilled by some evil jinn in order to drag him into the traps of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). It is Wajib (obligatory) on every Muslim to offer sincere devotion to Allah (Exalted be He) and to invoke none besides Him, whether it is a prophet or someone else. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him) Furthermore, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: So worship Allah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah's sake only.) {Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. I think it is clear now to the inquirer that seeking the help of other than Allah constitutes a Batil (null and void), Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and an act of major Shirk. All Mukallafe (persons meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) are obliged to be sincere in their "Ibadah (worship) of Allah and must avoid invoking anyone along with Him (Glorified and Exalted be He), no matter whether they happen to be an angel, a prophet, a righteous person or the like. They must invoke none but Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He). However, there is nothing wrong if you ask someone to extend a helpful hand like asking him to give you a portion of Zakah (obligatory charity). There is nothing...

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