All praise be to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family, Companions, and those who follow his guidance! The Kuwaiti newspaper "AlMujtama'", issue no. 15, dated 19/4/1390 A.H., published some verses of poetry under the heading "Mawlid (the Prophet's birthday)" that invoke the help of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and ask his support to save the Muslim Ummah (nation based on one creed), give it victory and free it from disunity and differences. The verses were written by a woman calling herself Aminah. The following is the text of the verses:
O Messenger of Allah! Save the that wages wars and is burning world in the flames O Messenger of Allah! Save the that in the darkness of doubt Ummah has walked long O Messenger of Allah! Save the that in the labyrinths of grief Ummah has lost its sight until she wrote: O Messenger of Allah!Save the that in the darkness of doubt Ummah has walked long Hasten victory for us asyou did on the day of Badr, when you called to Allah, So servility turned into splendid truly, Allah has Unseen Soldiers victory
Allah is the Greatest! This is how this writer appeals to the Messenger (peace be upon him) for help and support, asking him to save the Muslim Ummah by hastening victory. She forgets or is ignorant of the fact that victory is in Allah's Hand Alone, and does not come from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or any other creature. Allah (Exalted be He) says in the Qur'an (what means): And there is no victory except from Allâh, the All Mighty, the AllWise. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: If Allâh helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you?
It is known from the Nas (Islamic text from the Qur'an or the Sunnah) and Ijma' (consensus of scholars) that Allah (may He be Praised) created the creation to worship Him Alone, and He sent Messengers and revealed His Books to explain this worship and call people to it. Allah (may He be Praised) says: And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). He (Exalted be He) also says: And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)." And: And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)."
He (may He be Exalted and Glorified) also says: AlifLâmRâ. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from One (Allâh) Who is AllWise WellAcquainted (with all things). (Saying) worship none but Allâh. Verily, I (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭ ﺳﻠﻢ) am unto you from Him a warner and a bringer of glad tidings.
In these clearcut Ayahs (Qur'anic verses), Allah (Glorified be He) clarifies that He created humans and Jinn (creatures made from fire) for the sole purpose of worshipping Him Alone without Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). He (Exalted be He) explains that He sent Messengers (may peace be upon them) to enjoin people to abide by this 'Ibadah (worship) and prohibit any antithesis to it. Allah (Exalted be He) states that He has perfected the Ayahs in His Book and explained them in detail, so that no other than Him is worshipped (Glorified be He). 'Ibadah is to believe in and obey Allah, by fulfilling His Commands and avoiding His Prohibitions. Allah (Glorified be He) orders it in many Ayahs, such as His Saying: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him) And He (Glorified be He) says: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.
Allah (Exalted be He) also says: So worship Allâh (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only. Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allâh only. There are many other Ayahs bearing the same meaning; they all assert the obligation of sincerely worshipping Allah Alone and shunning the worship of any others, whether the prophets or any creature whatsoever. There is no doubt that Du'a' (supplication) is one of the most important and comprehensive forms of 'Ibadah, which dictates that it be made purely to Allah Alone,
as Allah (Glorified be He) says: So, call you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ and the believers) upon (or invoke) Allâh making (your) worship pure for Him (Alone) (by worshipping none but Him and by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only and not to show off and not to set up rivals with Him in worship), however much the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allâh) may hate (it). And He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. This includes all creatures, prophets and others.
The prohibition covers anything or anyone other than Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And invoke not besides Allâh any such that will neither profit you nor harm you These words are addressed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), but it is well and fully known that Allah (Glorified be He) protected him from Shirk; therefore, the purpose of this is to give warning to others. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrongdoers). If the best of Adam's children, Muhammad (peace be upon him), supplicated to other than Allah, he would have been one of the wrongdoers, how much more so others? When the word "wrongdoing" is used in the absolute sense, it means major Shirk, as Allah (Exalted be He) says: And it is the disbelievers who are the Zâlimûn (wrongdoers). He (Glorified be He) also says: And (remember) when Luqmân said to his son when he was advising him: "O my son! Join not in worship others with Allâh. Verily joining others in worship with Allâh is a great Zûlm (wrong) indeed.
It can be understood from these Ayahs and others that supplicating to other than Allah, such as to the dead, trees, idols, and others, is Shirk that contradicts the 'Ibadah for which Allah created humans and Jinn, sent Messengers and revealed Books to explain, and call people to. This is the meaning of: "La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah);" it means that none whatsoever deserves to be worshipped except Allah and it negates worship of other than Allah, affirming 'Ibadah to be the Exclusive Right of Allah (Exalted be He) Alone. Allah (Glorified be He) says: That is because Allâh — He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Bâtil (falsehood).
This is the essence and foundation of our Din (religion), and as such, any form of 'Ibadah is not valid unless this foundation is valid. This is because Allah (Glorified be He) says: And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ), as it was to those (Allâh's Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allâh, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers." Allah (Exalted be He) also says: But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. The religion of Islam is built on two great principles: First: None should be worshipped but Allah Alone.
Second: Allah should only be worshipped according to the Shari'ah (Islamic law) with which His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), was sent. This is the meaning of the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith): La ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity but Allah). Therefore, anyone who calls upon the dead prophets or others, or idols, trees, stones, or any other creatures, or appeals to any of them for support, or tries to get close to them by offering sacrifices, making vows, prays or prostrates to them, has taken them as their lords instead of Allah and made them equal to Him (Exalted be He). This is certainly a breach of this principle; it negates the meaning of there is no deity but Allah. Also, anyone who introduces a Bid'ah (innovation in religion) that Allah has not permitted, has not realized the meaning of the Shahadah that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust. Such are the deeds done by those who died as Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and those who practice Bid'ah. On the Day of Resurrection these deeds will be like scattered dust, as they are not in accordance with Allah's Purified Law. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who introduces something in this matter of ours (the religion) that is not from it, will have it rejected." (Agreed upon by AlBukhari and Muslim) This writer has addressed her invocation for help and support to the Messenger (peace be upon him) and turned away from Allah, the Lord of the worlds, in Whose Hand is support, harm and benefit. None other than Him has control over any of these things.
There is no doubt that this is a great wrong. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has enjoined on us to supplicate to Him and He (may He be Praised) promises whoever supplicates to Him that He will respond to them. He also warns those who are too proud to do so that they will be admitted into Hell. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islâmic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!"
This Ayah is evidence that Du'a' is 'Ibadah and that anyone who feels too proud to ask Allah for help will be admitted into Hell. If this is the end of those who are too proud to make Du'a' to Allah, what will be the end of those who make Du'a' to other than Allah or shun Him? Allah (may He be Praised) is the EverNear, the absolute Owner of all things and the One Who is able to do all things. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) concerning Me, then (answer them), 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. In a Sahih (authentic) Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us that Du'a' is 'Ibadah and he (peace be upon him) advised his cousin, 'Abdullah ibn ' Abbas (may Allah be please with them), saying to him, "Preserve Allah (His Commandments), Allah shall preserve you. Preserve Allah, you shall find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask Allah; and if you seek help, seek it from Allah." (Related by Al Tirmidhy and others)
He also (peace be upon him) said, "Anyone who dies calling on (invoking) a partner (in worship) besides Allah will enter Hellfire." (Related by Al-Bukhari)
Also,in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim), It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked which sin was the gravest. He (peace be upon him) replied, "That you associate a partner with Allah, while it is He Who created you."
So, anyone who makes Du'a' to other than Allah, invokes their help, vows to them, offers a sacrifice or any other form of 'Ibadah for them, has associated a partner with Allah, whether that partner is a prophet, a Waliy (pious person), an angel, a Jinn, an idol, or any other creature.
As for asking a person who is alive and present to do physical things that they are able to do, this is not Shirk, as this is an ordinary thing that is permissible among Muslims. When relating the story of Moses (may peace be upon him), Allah (Exalted be He) says: The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe And He also says regarding the story of Moses: So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. People seek help from one another in wars and other matters that they face when they need to do so.
Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴـﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ): "I invoke only my Lord (Allâh Alone), and I associate none as partners along with Him."
Say: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path."
Say (O Muhammad ﺻـﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴـﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ): "I possess no power over benefit or harm to myself except as Allâh wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (Unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe."
There are many Ayahs which have the same meaning. The Prophet (peace be upon him) never supplicated to anyone but his Lord. On the day of Badr, he (may peace be upon him) insistently sought help from Allah and asked Him for support over his enemy, saying, "O Allah! Fulfill for me what You have promised me." Until the greatest Siddiq, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Prophet of Allah! Enough beseeching your Lord, He shall certainly fulfill for you what He has promised you."
(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): "I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession." Allâh made it only as glad tidings, and that your hearts be at rest therewith. And there is no victory except from Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
In these Ayahs Allah (Exalted be He) reminded Muslims of their seeking help from Him, and He (Glorified be He) informed them that He responded to them by sending them angels. He then explained that the victory was not from the angels, but they were sent to them to give them the good news of victory and to reassure them.
And Allâh has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force. So fear Allâh much that you may be grateful.
This Ayah shows that it is Allah (may He be Praised) who made Muslims victorious at Badr. So the Muslims knew from this that the power and the angels Allah had provided them with at Badr were the means to the victory, giving them good news and reassurance, and that the victory did not come from these means. The victory came from Allah Alone, so how can this writer or any other writer seek help
from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or appeal to him for support and turn away from Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Owner of all things, and the One Who is able to do all things? There is no doubt that this is offensive ignorance and a great Shirk.
It is obligatory on the writer to make sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah), regret what she did, abstain from such writing, and firmly resolve not to write such things again. This should be done out of glorifying Allah, submitting to His Ordinances, and avoiding His Prohibitions. This is the sincere Tawbah. If the right of a human being has been violated, it is also obligatory when performing Tawbah to fulfill a fourth condition, and that is that the right should be returned to its owner or its owner be asked to pardon the wrongdoer.
And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful
Will they not turn with repentance to Allâh and ask His Forgiveness? For Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allâh, nor kill such person as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe (in Islâmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allâh will change their sins into good deeds, and Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.
It was authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Islam destroys that (sins) which came before it."
I have written this synopsis motivated by the grave danger of Shirk, it being one of the major sins, fear that people may be misled by what this writer has published, and the obligation of giving advice for Allah's Sake to His Worshippers. I ask Allah (Exalted be He) to make it beneficial and set right our affairs and those of all Muslims and for Him to grant us understanding of our Din and make us firm on it. We beg Him to protect us and the Muslims from the evil of our souls and the wickedness of our deeds, as He is the Guardian of all matters and the Able to do all things! May peace and blessings be upon Allah's Servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions!