From 'Abdul'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Baz to any Muslims who read this; may Allah protect them with Islam and protect us and them from the evil of the ignorant fabricators! Amen!
A ssalamu 'alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
I have read the words attributed to Shaykh Ahmad, the servant of AlHaram AlNabawy AlSharif (the Holy Sanctuary of the Prophet) entitled: "This will is from AlMadinah AlMunawwarah from Shaykh Ahmad, the servant of AlHaram AlNabawy AlSharif." In this will it is claimed that he said:
"I was staying up one night of Friday (i.e. Thursday night, as in the Hijri calendar the night precedes the day) reciting the Holy Qur'an and after reciting, I read the Most Beautiful Names of Allah. After finishing that I prepared to sleep, and there I saw the person with the brightest face, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), who came with the Qur'anic Ayahs (verses) and noble rulings as a mercy to the worlds, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said to me, "O Shaykh Ahmad!" I replied, "I am at your service, O Messenger of Allah, the best of all creation!" He said to me, "I am so ashamed of the hateful deeds performed by the people, that I can not face my Lord or the angels, because from Friday to Friday, 160,000 people died following religions other than Islam." He then mentioned some of the sins that the people do. He then said, "This will is a mercy to them from the Almighty Allah." He then mentioned some of the Portents of the Hour until he said, "O Shaykh Ahmad! Inform them of this will, as it is copied by the pen of destiny, from AlLawhulMahfuzh (the Preserved Tablet). Anyone who writes this and sends it from one country to another and from one place to another will have a palace built for them in Jannah (Paradise). Those who do not write it and spread it among the people will be deprived of my Shafa'ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection. If a poor person writes it, they will be made rich by Allah; if an indebted person writes it, their debt will be discharged by Allah; and if
a sinner writes it, they will be forgiven by Allah, along with their parents due to the blessings of this will. Those Servants of Allah who do not write it, will have their faces darkened in this world and in the Hereafter. He said three times, "By Allah! This is true and, if I am lying, take me from the world on other than Islam. Anyone who believes in this will be saved from the punishment of the Fire and anyone who denies it is a Kafir (disbeliever)."
This is a summary of the will falsely attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). We have heard this false will many times over many years. It is occasionally spread among people and circulated every now and then, but with different wordings. This liar says that the shaykh saw the Prophet (may peace be upon him) in his sleep and that he gave him this will. However, in this latest will that we have just mentioned to you, our dear readers, the fabricator claims that the shaykh saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he was preparing to sleep, so this means that he saw him (peace be upon him) while he was awake! The fabricator claims many things in this will, which are some of the most obvious lies, and most manifest fabrications, to which I will soon draw your attention in my remarks, In sha'aAllah (if Allah wills). I have actually clarified these matters over the last few years and alerted people to these falsehoods. However, when I read the latest publication, I hesitated to write about it because of its patent falsehood. Also, I did not think that it would be circulated by those who had the least insight or sound Fitrah (natural disposition), but many brothers told me that it had been sent to many people and they were discussing it and believing it. Therefore, I felt it incumbent upon people like me to write about it, to explain the falsity and assail this fabrication that has been attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), so no one will be deceived by it. Anyone who considers it from among knowledgeable and faithful people or those who have pure Fitrah and sound minds will know that it is false and fabricated for many reasons.
I did ask some relatives of Shaykh Ahmad, to whom this will is falsely attributed, about this will. They said that it is a lie attributed to Shaykh Ahmad, and that he never said such a thing. The Shaykh Ahmad that is being mentioned died a while ago. If we assume that the Shaykh Ahmad who is being referred to or anyone who is more knowledgeable than him claims to have seen the Prophet (may peace be upon him), in their sleep or while awake,
and he bequeathed such a will to them, we would certainly know that they are a liar or that the person who told him that was Satan, and not the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
for many reasons, among which are:
1. the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cannot be seen in wakefulness, after his death. Anyone who claims this from among ignorant Sufis or that he attends celebrations of Mawlid (birthday of the Prophet), or anything similar, has made a hideous error, confused right with wrong, has fallen into grave error and contradicted the Qur'an, the Sunnah and Ijma' (consensus of the scholars), because the dead will only be resurrected from their graves on the Day of Resurrection, not in the life of this world. Anyone who claims otherwise is manifestly lying, or made a great mistake for being led into false beliefs and do not know AlHaqq (the Truth) that was known by the Salaf (the righteous predecessors) and acted upon by the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them), and those who rightly follow their guidance. Allah (Exalted be He) says: After that, surely, you will die.
surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, "I will be the first over whom the earth shall split open on the Day of Resurrection. I will also be the first intercessor and the first whose intercession will be accepted (by Allah)." There are many Ayahs and Hadith on this subject.
2. The Messenger (peace be upon him) can never say anything that contradicts AlHaqq (the Truth) either during his lifetime nor after his death. It is obvious that this will patently contradicts the Shari'ah (Islamic law) in many aspects, as will be shown below. It is true that the Prophet (peace be upon him) can be seen during sleep, and, if anyone sees him (peace be upon him) in their dreams in his noble form, they have actually seen him, because the Satan cannot assume the Prophet's form, as was mentioned in Hadith Sahih (a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish). However, the whole matter as to whether the person who had the dream actually saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his real form or not depends on their Iman (Faith), honesty, fairness, accuracy, beliefs, and trustworthiness.
If a Hadith reporting something the Prophet (may peace be upon him) said during his lifetime was transmitted through narrators who were not Thiqah (trustworthy), 'Adl Dabit (narrators of Hadith with an upright character and retentive memory), the Hadith would not be relied upon or used as evidence. Moreover, if it was transmitted through narrators who were trustworthy, upright and accurate, but it contradicted another narration that had been reported by a more trustworthy narrator who had a better memorizing ability than them, and the contradiction meant that the two narrations could not be combined, one of them would be regarded as Mansukh (abrogated) and cannot be acted upon. The second narration would be regarded as the Naskh (abrogator) upon which people should act, when possible in accordance with its conditions. If it is not possible to reconcile the narrations or abrogation, it is
obligatory that the narration
related by the person who was ranked to be the lesser in memorizing ability and accuracy should be discarded. The ruling on it would be that it is a Hadith Shadh (a Hadith narrated by a trustworthy narrator, not in line with the narration of other trustworthy narrators in terms of wording, chain of narrators, or both) that cannot be acted upon.
In the face of this fact, this anonymously written will, whose author claims to be reporting it from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), whose accuracy and honesty are unknown, should, with all the more reason, be discarded. This must be the action taken even if it does not contain anything that contradicts the Shari'ah; how then when in fact it contains many things that indicate its falseness and it being a lie fabricated against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and legislates that which Allah has never permitted?
The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: "Anyone who ascribes to me what I have not said let them take their place in the Fire." The fabricator of this will ascribes words to the Messenger (peace be upon him) which he (peace be upon him) did not say, and has forged downright grave lies against the Messenger (peace be upon him), which makes him deserving of this great punishment against which warning is given, unless he hastens and makes Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and publicly spreads that this will is a lie against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). This is because the Tawbah of anyone who circulates falsehoods among the people, and falsely attributes them to the Din (religion of Islam) cannot be accepted unless they openly declare that they are falsehoods, so people will know that they have retracted the lie and blamed it on themselves. Allah (Exalted be He) says:
Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidence and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allâh and cursed by the cursers. Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
In this noble Ayah (Qur'anic verse), Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) shows that the Tawbah of anyone who conceals the truth is not valid, unless they correct the wrong and declares the truth of what they have done. Allah (may He be Praised) perfected the Din for His Servants and completed His Favor upon them by sending His Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the perfect
Shar' (laws) that He revealed to him. Allah (Glorified be He) did not take His Prophet to Him until the Din was completed and perfected, as Allah (Exalted be He) says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you
The fabricator of this will appeared in the fourteenth century after Hijrah (Prophet's migration to Madinah) to confuse people into following a new religion, in which anyone who acts upon his legislations will enter Jannah (Paradise) and whoever shuns his legislations will be forbidden from Jannah and end up in the Fire. He aims to make this will that he fabricated greater and better than the Qur'an, as he claims that anyone who writes it and sends it from country to another or one place to another will have a palace built for them in Paradise. Also, anyone who does not write or send it will be deprived of the Prophet's Shafa'ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection. This claim is one of the most hideous of all lies and the clearest evidence of the falsehood of this will, the brazenness of its fabricator, and his flagrant audacity in lying. This is because, if anyone writes the Qur'an and sends it from one country to another or one place to another, they will not receive such a reward, if they do not act upon the Qur'an. So how could someone writing this falsehood and sending it from one country to another and one place to another receive such a reward? Also, those who do not write the Qur'an or send it from one country or one place to another, will not be deprived of the Prophet's Shafa'ah, if they are believers and uphold the Shari'ah. This one lie in this will is sufficient on its own as proof of the invalidity of this will, the falsehood of its writer, his shamelessness and foolishness, as well as his lack of knowledge of the guidance with which the Messenger (peace be upon him) came.
This will includes other matters that prove its invalidity and falsehood, even if its fabricator swears by Allah thousands of times or more that it is true, and even he invokes the greatest punishment upon himself and that the strongest example be made of him if he is a liar. I swear by Allah that this will is the one of the most hateful fabrications. We call upon Allah (Exalted be He), His Angels around us, and any Muslims who see these words, to witness that this will is a lie invented against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him); may Allah humiliate the one who created it with what he deserves!
There are many other points, besides the abovementioned, that prove the invalidity and falsity of this will, such as the following:
First: In this will, he says: "From Friday to Friday, 160,000 people died following religions other than Islam." This kind of knowledge belongs to the realm of the Ghayb (the Unseen) and Revelation stopped after the death of the Messenger (peace be upon him). The Prophet (may peace be upon him) did not know the Ghayb during his lifetime, so how could he know it after his death?
Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ): "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allâh, nor (that) I know the Unseen Also, Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say: "None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (Unseen) except Allâh" As mentioned in a Hadith Sahih reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said, "Some men from among my Ummah will be brought and then they will be driven away towards the left (i.e., the Fire). I will say, 'O Lord, my companions!' It will be said, 'You do not know the new matters they introduced (into religion) after you (were gone).' I shall then say as the righteous Slave (i.e. 'Isa [Jesus]) said: And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world).
Second: Further evidence on the invalidity and falsity of this will is that its author says, "If a poor person writes it, they will be made rich by Allah; if an indebted person writes it, their debt will be discharged by Allah; and if a sinner writes it, they will be forgiven by Allah, along with their parents due to the blessings of this will, etc." This is one of the worst lies, and serves as clear evidence of the mendacity of this fabricator and his fearless impudence before Allah and His Servants. The three things mentioned above cannot even be realized through writing the Qur'an, so how could they be realized by writing this false will? Rather, this wicked person wants to confuse people and attract them to this invalid will, so they will write it and adhere to its claimed merit and leave the lawful ways legislated by Allah for His Servants to gain wealth, repay debts, and have sins forgiven. We seek refuge with Allah from all the ways leading to humiliation, and following desires and Satan.
Third: Another fact that proves the falsehood of this will is that he says, "Those Servants of Allah who do not write it, will have their faces darkened in this world and in the Hereafter." This is another of the most wicked lies and proof of the invalidity of this will and the lying of this fabricator. How could it be possible that anyone of sound mind would write this will, which came from an unknown man in the fourteenth century after Hijrah, and is a lie fabricated about the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) claiming that the face of anyone who does not write it will turn black in this world and in the Hereafter, and anyone who writes it will gain wealth after being poor, saved from
having to repay their accumulated debts, and have their sins forgiven?
Glory be to Allah! This is a grave lie. Evidence and reality witness to the falsehood of this fabrication, the insolent audacity of its inventor and his brazenness before Allah and people. There are a many people who have not written this will, but their faces have not turned black, and there are many people too numerous to count except by Allah who have written it many times, but their debts have not been settled and they are still poor. We seek refuge with Allah from a deviation of our hearts and from our hearts being overcome by sins. These merits and rewards are not mentioned in the Shari'ah for those who write the best and the greatest of all books; the Qur'an, so how can such a reward be given to those who write a fabricated will that includes many falsehoods and statements of Kufr (disbelief)? Glory be to Allah Who is so Patient with the one who dares to invent lies against Him!
Fourth: Another piece of evidence on the falsehood of this will and that it is a most manifest lie is his saying, "Anyone who believes in this will be saved from the punishment of the Fire and anyone who denies it is a Kafir." This shows great audacity in lying, and is one of the ugliest falsities. This fabricator is asking all people to believe his fabrication and claims that they will be saved from the punishment of the Fire, but if they deny it they will be committing Kufr (disbelief). By Allah, this liar has gone too grievously far in the falsehood he invented against Allah and has spoken untruth. On the contrary, those who believe this are the ones who deserve to be regarded as Kafirs (disbelievers), not those who deny it, because it is a lie and has no basis in the truth. We witness before Allah that it is a lie and its fabricator is a liar who wants to legislate that which Allah has not permitted and introduce new practices into the Din that are not from it. Allah perfected the Din and completed it for this Ummah (nation based on one creed) fourteen centuries before this lie. So, dear readers and fellow Muslims, beware of believing these lies and others like it and circulating them among you, as the truth has a clear and unmistaken light for its seekers, so ask for the truth with evidence and ask the scholars about doubtful matters. You should not be deceived by the vows of liars, as the cursed Satan once swore to your ancestors, Adam and Hawa' (Eve), that he was an advisor, although he is the worst betrayer and wickedest of all liars, as Allah narratesin Surah Al A'raf,the words he said,
And he [Shaitân (Satan)] swore by Allâh to them both (saying): "Verily, I am one of the sincere wellwishers for you both."
Be on your guard against Satan and his lying followers. They offer many false oaths, deceptive promises and embellished statements to mislead and misguide! May Allah safeguard me, you, and all Muslims from the evil of devils, the Fitnah (temptation) of misleading people, the deviations of the astray, and the confusion cast by the enemies of Allah, who want to extinguish Allah's Light with their words and confuse people about their Din. But Allah will sustain His Light and Din, even though it is hated by His enemies from among the devils and their followers among the Kafirs and the atheists.
As for what was mentioned by this fabricator, about the emergence of Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), this is a reality. The Qur'an and the Sunnah warned against it many times, and there is sufficient guidance in them. We ask Allah to correct the conditions of the Muslims and grant them the blessing of following and acting upon AlHaqq, adherence to it, and Tawbah to Allah (may He be Praised) from all sins, as He is the One Who accepts Tawbah, the Most Merciful, and the One Who is Able to do all things.
With regard to what was mentioned about the Portents of the Hour, they were clarified by Prophetic Hadith, and the Qur'an mentioned some too. Therefore, anyone who wants to know about this should refer to the books of the Sunnah and writings of the Muslim scholars. People do not need explanations like this fabrication, with what it contains of falsehoods, confusion, and mixing of falsehood with AlHaqq. Allah Alone is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs! There is neither power nor might except with Allah, the Greatest! All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds! May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon His trustworthy and honest Servant and Messenger, and his family and Companions, and those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment!