Prohibitions in Islam - Page 5
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Grave-worship
One of the forms of shirk which is particularly widespread in Muslim countries is: grave-worship, the belief that dead awliyaa’ (“saints”) can fulfill one’s needs or help at times of distress, and calling upon them for aid. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him” [Al-Israa’ 17:23]
Similarly, they call upon dead Prophets, righteous people and others to intercede for them or to rescue them from some calamity, but Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? ” [Al-Naml 27:62]
Some of them have adopted the habit of mentioning the name of a sheikh or wali (“saint”) when they stand up, or sit down, or stumble, or encounter problems or distress, so they might say “O Muhammad!” or “O ‘Ali!” or “O Husain!” or “O Badawi!” or “O Jeelaani!” or “O Shaadhili!” or “O Rifaa’i!” - Or they may call upon Al-’Aydaroos or Sayyidah Zaynab or Ibn ‘Alwaan. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you” [Al-A’raaf 7:194]
Some of those who worship graves walk around them as if in Tawaaf, and acknowledge their corners, or touch them, kiss them, wipe their faces with their dust, prostrate towards them when they see them, or stand before them in fear and humility, praying for whatever they need of healing from some disease, or for a child, or for help with some difficulty. Sometimes they call upon the occupant of the grave, saying “O my master, I have come to you from far away, so do not let me down.”
But Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And who is more astray than one who calls (invokes) besides Allah such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them?” [Al-Ahqaaf 46:5].
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever dies calling on someone else as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Al-Fath, 8/176).
Some of them shave their heads at the graves, and some have books with titles like Manaasik Hajj Al-Mashaahid (“The Rituals of Pilgrimage to Shrines”), mashaahid or shrines referring to graves or tombs of awliyaa’. Some of them believe that the awliyaa’ are running the affairs of the universe and that they have the power to benefit or harm. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is no one who can repel His Favor ” [Younus 10:107]
It is also shirk to make a vow to any other than Allah, as is done by those who vow to bring candles or lights for the occupants of the graves.
Sacrificing to anything other than Allah
Another manifestation of Al-shirk Al-Akbar is sacrificing to anything other than Allah. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord, and sacrifice (to Him only)” [Al-Kawthar 108:2] - i.e.,
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