Seeking Help from Other then Allah:-Essay by Shaikh Baaz

[Muslim First]

ESTABLISHING THE PROOFS REGARDING THE RULE ON THOSE WHO SEEK HELP FROM OTHER THEN ALLAH.

By His eminence Shaikh ABDUL AZIZ BIN ABDULLAH BIN BAZ

Translated by Dr. Syed Muhammad Munawwar Nainar


The Essay


Praise to Allah and peace and blessing be upon the Prophet of Allah, the members of his family and his companions and on all who proceed on his path.

The weekly magazine, “Al-Mujtama” of Kuwait , had in its issue no. 15 dated 4-19-1390 A.H., published a poem containing invocations the Prophet SAW and appeals to him to help the Ummah (Islamic Community) and salvage it from mutual disaccord and disagreements. The poem signed by someone called Amina, ran as follows:


“O Prophet of Allah, come to the rescue of world caught in the flames of a war,
O prophet of Allah, come to rescue of the Ummah, plunged in the darkness of the doubts since long,
O Prophet Allah, come to the rescue of the Ummah which has lost sight of its vision in the wilderness of the grief---etc. etc.”


And the poem concludes with the following lines:


“O prophet of Allah, come to the rescue of the Ummah, plunged in the darkness of the doubt since long, pray you! Bring speedy victory as you did at the battle of Badr was turned to Glorious Victory, And Lo! Defeat was turned to a Glorious Victory, Verily Allah hath soldiers you do not see.”


Thus the person who wrote the Poem cries out to the Prophet SAW beseeching him to rescue the Ummah by achieving speedy victory; she forgets or ignores the fact that victory is granted by Allah SWT alone and that it is neither in the hands of Prophet SAW nor in the hands of any other creation. Allah SAW says in Qur’an:


“---There is no help except from Allah the Exalted, the Wise.” (Q 3:126)

“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? --” (Q-3:160)

It has been established by the verses of the Holy Qur’an and by the consensus of the Ummah that Allah the Almighty created all human being so that they may worship Him. He sent the Messengers and revealed the books to expound the manner of worship and the path of the mission. In this regard, Allah SWT states in Holy Qur’an:


“I have only created jinns and men that they may serve Me. (Q-51: 56)

“For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle, (with the Command), Serve Allah, and eschew Evil" (Q 16:36)

“Not an apostle did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me." (Q21: 25)

“Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) further explained in detail, from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things):(It teacheth) that ye should worship none but Allah. (Say:) "Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings.” (Q 11:1-2)


It is clear from above verses that Allah SWT has created human beings and jinns but for one purpose only: to worship Him Alone and not to attribute any partner to Him. And He has said clearly that the Messengers (Peace Be Upon Them all) were sent to call for this worship and to forbid what is contrary to it: the verses of the holy Qur’an are clear and categorical in stating that Allah and Allah alone is to be worshipped. This worship implies faith in the oneness of Allah and obedience to Him, compliance of His commands and abstention from all that is forbidden by Him. Allah has ordained these tenants in numerous verses:


“And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in faith): ---“ (Q 98:5)


And


“ Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him.” (Q 17:22)


And


“Verily it is We Who have revealed the Book to thee in Truth: so serve Allah offering him sincere devotion. Is not to Allah that sincere devotion is due?” (Q 39:142)


The verses dealing on this concept are abundant in the Holy Qur’an. They all point to necessity of sincerity in worshipping Allah Alone and give and give up worshipping all others including the Prophets. There is no doubt that “Dua” (Invocation) is a vital and comprehensive for of worship; it is to be addressed in all sincerity to Allah Alone as Allah the Almighty says in Holy Qur’an:


“Call ye then upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him even though the Unbelievers may detest it.” (Q 40:14)


And


“Mosques are built for Allah's worship; therefore, invoke not anyone along with Allah.” (Q 72:18)


This applies to all creations including the Prophets SAW because the word “Ahad” in Arabic is indefinite noun used in context of total negation. Therefore, it applies to all except Allah the Almighty.

Allah SWT says:


“’Nor call on any, other then Allah: -such will neither profit thee nor hurt thee.” (Q10: 106)


This verse is addressed to the Prophet SAW.

Needless to say, the Prophet SAW enjoys Divine protection from polytheistic beliefs; the purpose of this verse is to caution others. The Almighty says:


“ If thou dost, Behold! thou shalt certainly be of those who do wrong.” (Q 10:106)


Thus the foremost among the mankind, namely the Prophet SAW has himself been cautioned that if he invokes anyone other then Allah, he shall be deemed as one who does wrong. What to say of other human beings?

It must be noted that word “Zulm” (wrong doing) is used in the sense of major “Shirk” that is polytheism. Allah the Almighty says:


“Those who reject the faith-they are the wrong doers,” (Q 2:254)


And


When Luqman, while advising his son, said to him: "O my son! Do not ever commit shirk (associating anyone else with Allah); surely committing shirk is indeed the highest wrong doing.” (Q 31:13)


It is evident from all these verses that invocation to anyone other then Allah whether they be from the dead or trees or idols, etc. is an act of joining others with Allah in worship; it contradicts the purpose of worship for which Allah has created human beings and the jinns and had sent Prophets (PBUThem) and revealed the Divine Messages to people and call them to act upon it. This is the meaning of the phrase “there is no god except Allah;” this statement affirms there is nothing to be worshipped except Allah SWT. This is stated in the Holy Quran:


“That is because Allah is the (only) Truth and because whatever else they invoke besides Him is Falsehood.” (Q 31:30)


This is the essence of religion, and the basic principle of our faith; no worship will be true unless this principle is truly accepted. Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:


“But it has already been revealed to thee,- As it was to those before thee ,-"If thou ware to join (gods with Allah), truly fruitless will be thy work (in life), and thou wilt surely be in the ranks of those who lose (all spiritual good)." (Q 39:65)


And


“ -----If they had committed shirk (worshiped anyone else besides Allah) all their deeds would have become void.” (Q 6:88)


The religion of Islam is base on two great principles:

1. That Allah Alone is to be worshipped
2. That worship should be according to the path shown by the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad SAW.

This is the meaning of the “Shahadah” i.e. the statement of Faith: There is no god except Allah and that Muhammad SAW is the Messenger of Allah. Therefore, it will be contradiction of this principle if anyone invokes the dead including the Prophets or others or invoke idols, trees and stones, etc. and seek their help or seeks to gain favor from them by offering sacrifices of animals or vows or praise for them or prostrates to them. It will be act of associating others s Lords of creation besides Allah SWT. In other words, it will be negation of this basic tenet. It must also be mentioned that anyone who introduces into religion something which has not been permitted by Allah SWT will be failing to abide by the meaning of Shahadah that “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” Allah SWT says:


“And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life) and We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.” (Q 25:23)


The deeds referred to here, are deeds of those who spent their lives in polytheistic belief.

In this category of deeds are also included all contrived actions which are not permitted by Allah; these actions will, on the Day of Judgment, be like floating dust scattered about because it was not in accordance with the Divine guidance. The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said in authentic Tradition: “He who innovates something in this matter of ours that are not of it will have it rejected.” The above referred lady writer has addressed an invocation to the Prophet SAW and calls for his help. She has turned away from the Lord of creations in Whose Hand there is Victory as well as Defeat, Who Alone bestows help or loss or benefit; none other can benefit nor bestow any such thing. No doubt such an action is a serious violation and it is a “Shirk” (Polytheism), Allah SWT has commanded us to invoke Him and to seek His help; He has promised to respond; and He has also threatened with dire consequences all those who are haughty. He says: “And your Lord says: ‘Call on me, I will answer your (Prayers) but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell-in humiliation.” (40:60) This verse points out that Invocation is a form of prayer and whoever is arrogant, his ultimate place of abode will be in Hell. If such is the case with regard to one who has had audacity to avoid praying to Allah, what will be condition of a person who invokes other then Allah while Allah SWT is Omnipotent and Omnipresent? The Holy Qur’an says:


“When my servants question you about Me, tell them that I am very close to them. I answer the prayer of every suppliant when he calls Me; therefore, they should respond to Me and put their trust in Me, so that they may be rightly guided.” (2:186)


It is narrated in an authentic Tradition that the Prophet SAW advised his cousin Abdullah bin Abbas as follows:


“Remember Allah and He will remember you; remember Allah and ye shall find Him in your path; if you ask, ask from Allah; and if you seek help, seek from Allah.”


And he also said:


“He who dies while praying to someone as rival to Allah, the reward for such person shall be the fire of Hell.” (Narrated by Imam Bukhari)


In another Tradition the Prophet SAW said in an answer to a query as to which is greatest sin:


“ To make someone as rival to Allah, who has created you.”


So anyone prays to other then Allah SWT, seeks his help or gives offering to him or slaughters an animal or offers a prayer to him will be adoption someone as rival to Allah SWT, whether he be a Prophet or devout person or a king or jinn or an idol or anything else. As regards, invocation to a person who is alive and present before you, it is not an act pf Shirk (associationsm) because it is quite normal to seek the help of those around you in matters pertaining to the material life to the extend possible; it is normal and sanctioned practice among Muslims, Allah SWT says in Holy Qur’an:


“In the story pertaining to Moses: “Now the man of his own people appealed to him against his foe.” (28:15)


And another verse pertaining also to the story of Moses, Allah the Almighty says:


“He therefore, got away there from, looking about, in a state of fear,” (28:20)


Man therefore seeks help for his fellow human beings at times of war or at times of difficulties that occur to him and which require the help from others. Allah ordered hi Prophet SAW to convey to the people that he (the Prophet) does not possess for anyone any good nor any harm. The holy Qur’an states:


“O Prophet, say: "I pray only to my Rabb and worship none besides Him." (Q 72:20)

“Say: "I have no control to cause harm or bring you to the Right conduct." (Q72:21)


And


Further tell them: "I have no power to acquire benefit or avert any harm from myself, only that happens which Allah wants. Had I possessed the knowledge of the unseen I would have acquired many benefits to myself; and no harm would have touched me. I am no more than a Warner and bearer of good news for the true believers." (Q 7:188)


Quranic verses on this concept are many in number.

The prophet SAW never invoked anyone other then Allah and he never sought help from anyone other then Him; he beseeched Allah Almighty for victory against the enemy; he persistently prayed to Him saying “O Lord fulfill for me your promise.” He kept repeating these words to the extent that his friend and companion Abu Bakr said: “May it suffice, O Prophet of Allah; Verily Allah will fulfill his promise to you.” In this context, Allah revealed the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:


“ (Remember) When you prayed to your Rabb for help, He answered: "I will assist you with one thousand angels, one after another. "By this good news, Allah sought to comfort your heart, for victory comes only from Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.” (Q 8:9,10)


Thus the Almighty reminds them of their call for help and how He responded to them by sending reinforcements of Angels to them and victory is not from angels, but Angels were sent to convey the good news of victory and contentment. He says:


“Victory is but from Allah.” (Q 3:126)


And


“Allah helped you at the battle of Badr when you were helpless. Therefore, have fear of Allah; perhaps you may become thankful.” (Q 3:123)


Thus Allah granted help at the Battle of Badr; the weapons, the power to fight and the Angels were all the factors that brought victory and glad tidings; They were only means by which the Divine victory was granted; victory is therefore from Allah only. So how could the lady writer referred to above or anyone seek help and victory from the Prophet SAW and turn away from the Lord of all creations and Omnipresent and Omnipotent?

No doubt, this attitude only betrays ignorance in its worst forms and indeed it is major act of Shirk (Associationism).

It is therefore duty of the writer to repent to Allah SWT in all sincerity and to never repeat such a mistake. Sincere repentance requires total conviction and compliance to what has been ordained by the Allah SWT. And repentance is with regard to the rights of any fallow human beings, such right should be returned to whom they belong or he (the repentant) should obtain an acquittal thereof. Allah has ordered his worshippers to repent and he has promised acceptance of their repentance. He says in holy Quran:


“And O believers! Turn to Allah in repentance; all of you, about you’re past mistakes, so that you may attain salvation.” (Q 24:31)


And he says with regard to the Christians:


“Will they not then turn to Allah and seek His forgiveness? Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Q 5:74)


And Allah Says:


“Who do not invoke any other god besides Allah, nor kill any soul which Allah has made
Sacred, except for a just cause, nor commit fornication - he that does this shall be punished for his sin, and his punishment shall be doubled on the Day of Resurrection and in disgrace he shall abide forever, except the one who repents, becomes a true believer, and starts doing good deeds, for then Allah will change his evil deeds into good, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Q 25:68,69,70)


And Allah says:


“It is He Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their sins, and He knows whatever you do.” (Q 42:25)


The Prophet SAW has said:


“Islam obliterates all that has preceded it; and repentance erases all the earlier (Wrong) actions.”


In this brief essay, I have sought to explain the magnitude and danger of the sin of Shirk because it is one of major sins. It is my earnest desire that readers should understand the issue in its right perspective and should not be misled by such writers.

In conclusion, I pray to Allah SWT to make these few words of use to Muslims and may he reform us all and make us proceed always on right path and fortify us with the knowledge of religion and steadfastness in adhering to it. May Allah protect us from the evils ourselves and from our bad actions. Verily He is the Protector and Sustainer. Peace and blessing of Allah be upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad and Members of his Family and his Companions.

.

[Muslim]

Sheik Abdel-Aziz Ibn Baaz, Supreme religious authority, Saudi Arabia and author of a Muslim religious edict, 1993:

"The earth is flat, and anyone who disputes this claim is an atheist who deserves to be punished."

[Muslim]

Source of the above quote: Yousef M. Ibrahim, "Muslim Edicts take on New Force", The New York Times, February 12, 1995, p. A-14.

[Muslim First]

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If you can not fault the Message then Damn the Messenger.

What is wrong with the Message?

Can you point out faults in his essay?

Wasalaam

.

[brother]

Originally posted by Muslim First:
.

If you can not fault the Message then Damn the Messenger.

What is wrong with the Message?

Can you point out faults in his essay?

Wasalaam

.

What's wrong?

It has produced people like you!

p.s. On a side-note to Danish;
Now we get to listen to the same garbage from MF.