Praise be to Allah alone. May peace and blessings be upon the Last Prophet our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper published a poem (issue no. 3261, in 11/3/1408 A.H.) entitled "The Visit" written by Khalid Muhammad Muhammad Sulaym; it reads:
I lived all my life, the sweetest moments of my life this evening! When a giver of glad tidings cried and began to chant While the source of Prophets' light appeared What rest and provision derived from splendor gardens of bliss and barks of brilliance Here, the history covers the realm of loyalty!
Days and years took off the gown of pride O Messenger, you are my eyesight and sought one! I am at the threshold with tears overwhelming my cry! My father and mother are sacrificed for you, O beloved of the weak! Woe to me due to my hankering love, longing, and shyness. All the nation came to you, the near and the far! All are longing and seeking the life of loyalty Who can protect us from the storming wind in this hard night O the Merciful to all creation and the Most Honest O Messenger of Allah, at your door the majesty of all great people! Paradise joys filled the hearts of happy people Weeping and weeping until drowned in tears Forgetting the kinfolk and the beloved people, leaving the whole life behind me
Whoever reflects deeply on this poem knows the impermissibility of it being published, because of the mistakes contained. For example, calling upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and seeking his help for the afflictions that befell the poet and the whole Ummah (nation). Undoubtedly, that this is a form of associating others with Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). It is obligatory upon whoever is in need or suffering any kind of affliction to invoke Allah alone to remove the adversity, not to invoke the dead, seek their help, and make vows to them, or to idols and planets, or the Jinn. It is He (Allah) Who brings about benefit and repels harm, removes evil, and answers those in despair when they call Him.
There is nothing wrong with seeking the help of another living person who is present in matters that are within his ability by asking or writing to them or calling them on the phone or by means of any other new methods of communications. However, to seek the help of the prophets
and others is impermissible, because the deeds of the deceased person have come to an end, except for three as related in the Hadith reported from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as he said, When a man dies, his acts come to an end except for three matters: recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son who prays for him (for the deceased). Related by Muslim.
It is evident that our Prophet (peace be upon him) is the best of creation and the most honorable of Allah's creatures, the dead and the living. However, it is not permissible to supplicate or worship him besides Allah. `Ibadah (worship) is Allah's Right Alone as He orders that by saying: So worship Allâh (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only.
And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allâh), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2:2). And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)
Furthermore, it is reported in the Two Sahih Books on the authority of Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The right of Allah over His slaves is that they should worship Him and not associate anything with Him. It is also related in the Two Sahih Books on the authority of `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: O Messenger of Allah, which sin is most grievous? He said: To set up a rival with Allah, though He Alone created you.
It is enjoined upon Muslims to be mindful lest they should fall victim to the sin of associating others with Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) and they should abandon such abominable acts and make it manifest to all people. Moreover, Muslims in charge of newspapers should comprehend the seriousness of such matters. Accordingly, they have to stop publishing whatever goes against Allah's Purified Shar` (Law). They should know what benefits the Ummah and what does not.
The most serious danger is that which may delude Muslims into committing Shirk and other acts of Kufr (disbelief) and deviation.
May Allah rectify Muslim's affairs and guide them and those who are in charge of the Media to what benefits people in their Din and worldly affairs. He is All-Bountiful and Most Generous. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions.