UPDATED 1 DEC 2023: TWO SUBJECTS ARE BEING DISCUSSED HERE: 1). The Deceased and The Grave. 2). Seeking Intercession of The Deceased.
The Qur’an and Ahadith, point out that once a person departs everything comes to an end. “The living and the dead are not the same. Verily, God will make hear whomever He wills, but you cannot make those in the grave hear,” (Surah Fatir 35:22).
According to Abu Amina Elias (2021), “The general rule is that the deceased do not hear the living, so they are incapable of answering any request made of them. Everyone understands naturally that ordinary interaction with the deceased is no longer possible.”
I would like to point out that there is a difference between the ‘believers’ (Muslims) and “non-believers”. Then there is a Qur’anic verse: “All who obey God and the Messenger are in the company of the “Nabiyina” (Prophets), “Siddiqeen” (The Truthful), “Shuhada” (Martyrs) and the “Soliheen” (Righteous): Ah! what a beautiful fellowship!” (Surah Nisa 4:69).
I have maintained the original Arabic words for the four categories mentioned because translations do not do justice to these words. ‘Nabiyina’ represent the Prophets, while ‘Siddiqeen’ can be viewed in Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (r.a.), while the ‘Shuhada’ are the martyrs and not mere ‘witnesses’, and lastly, the ‘Soliheen’ (the Pious).
If the Qur’an declares the third category (the Shuhada): “And do not say about those who are killed in the way of God, “They are dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not,” (Surah Baqarah 2:154), Analogically, the first, second categories (Nabiyina and Siddiqeen) are alive too. Logically, the fourth, the Soliheen are included.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) was once asked by a Companion concerning their ability to be with him now, but would it be the same once he has departed. The Qur’anic verse above clearly indicates that individuals in these four categories will enjoy his company.
It should also be noted that when the Prophet (s.a.w.) performed Me’raj (Ascension to the Heaven), he met all the Prophets. They were alive and not dead nor had they to wait for the Day of Judgement to be brought back to life.
SEEKING INTERCESSION OF THE DECEASED
When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him. (Muslim). According to Ahadith, there are exceptions to this general rule. Aws Ibnu Aws (r.a.) reported: The Messenger of God (s.a.w.) said: “Send blessings upon me often, for your blessings are presented to me.” (Abu Dawud). “None of you greet me with peace but that God returns my spirit, that I may return his greeting of peace.” (Abu Dawud). However, the Shafa’ah (Intercession) of the Prophet (s.a.w.) according to Ahadith is only available on the Day of Judgement.
The issue that arises here is ‘seeking intercession of the deceased’. Based on Qur’anic verses and Ahadith, seeking the intercession of the deceased amounts to ‘shirk’ (attributing a thing to God).
Visitors to the grave may recite supplications and recitations recommended by scholars. Visitors are strongly advised not to step on or over a grave or sit on a grave. Visitors are strongly discouraged to express sadness by wailing hysterically in a loud voice as this goes against the etiquettes of visiting graves.
A’ishah (r.h.) asked the Prophet (s.a.w.): “O Messenger of God, what should I say to them (i.e., to the occupants of the graves)?” He said, “Say: Al-salamu ‘ala ahl il-diyar min al-mu’minin wa’l-Muslimin, wa yarham Allah al-mustaqdimina minna wa’l-mustakhirin, wa innaa insha Allah bikum la lahiqun (Peace be upon the inhabitants of the graves, believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy upon those who have gone ahead of us and those who come later on, and verily we will, God willing, join you).” (Muslim).
One could turn to God, seeking His Forgiveness and Mercy on the departed soul (ruh). Whether such a request is granted or not is up to God. Never ask the deceased directly for any favours because such is considered shirk (idolatry) and prohibited in Islam. Never establish a kind of alter, where photos or pictures of a Saint or deceased Shaykh is revered (similar to worship).
By these statements I absolve myself from any misunderstanding or confusion. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Supplication is the essence of worship.” (Tirmidhi). “Do not call upon those besides God who cannot benefit you or harm you. If you did so, you would surely be a wrongdoer. If God touches you with harm, none can remove it but Him. If He intends for you good, none can repel His grace,” (Surah Yunus 10:106-107).
"BLATANT DISTORTION AND CONTEMPTIBLE MISINTERPRETATION" OF THE TRUTH
UPDATED 1 Dec 2023: The concept of relying purely on God, works only when it is realised through the example of the Prophet (s.a.w.). It cannot be separated or segregated or treated independently. That would be a corruption.
When the Prophet (s.a.w.) is commanded to declare that “God is sufficient,” it represents his position of total reliance in God. We are also encouraged to adopt the same stance because everything lies in the hands of God, awaiting His decision. The only difference here is that in our case the approach of reliance adopted by us is the one adopted by the Prophet (s.a.w.).
The reason why one comes under the guidance of a spiritual guide is to learn the finer points of the Prophet’s path. Of course, you can succeed on your own by observing the Shari’ah, but again, all these various approaches adhered to the ‘Way of Muhammad’ which is also the ‘Way of God’. They all rely on the examples exhibited by the Prophet (s.a.w.).
Hadrat Syed Pir Meher ‘Ali Shah made reference to Shah Waliullah‘s book Hajjatullah-ul-Balighah and Futuhat-e-Makkiyah (Meccan Revelations) by Shaykh Ibnul Arabi, and concluded that: “In brief, there is a clear difference between the self-made idols and images on one hand, and the souls of accomplished religious and spiritual personalities on the other. To apply the Qur’anic verse related to idols to the Prophets and Saints of God (WaliAllah) as undertaken in the book Taqviyatul-Iman (The Strength of Faith) amounts to blatant distortion and contemptible misinterpretation.” [Extract from my book “God’s Light (Nur) Determines Your Fate”
