TWO SUBJECTS ARE BEING DISCUSSED HERE: 1). The Deceased and The Grave. 2). Seeking Intercession of The Deceased. [Updated 1 Dec 2023]
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 etiquette 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”
