l-/.

dfSTABUSHING
TJIAXUSIINC
0\THOSE
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RUU ON
TIIIPROOfS
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PROOTI
ruoSEEK
WHO
RIC.{IDI]IC
RIGillmG ilIT
THE
lltu INl]1OTHER
s$riHELP ollllR
TldALlAH
tLLA,'t
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OR lHoBEUEn
fi0slWHO StutlT
iNllt
SOOTHSAYERS
SOOITSAYIRS d\D FORTtJNE
AND MRT]JNI TILLIN
TELLERS

BY
ms LldlNENCE SIIDKH .'llDL1. A:lJI. II~ ABDL1l.11i DIN 8Al

TRA..'I1l:iU.:'\ r!,D D'l:'

Dil. SYED MUHAMMAD MUNA~'WAR SA.lNAR

PR1;.ITED A.."iD PUflLlSHflJ

BY
PRESIDENCY OF ISL\.\UC RESEARCHES
IfTAAl'lD PROPAGATION

PRL"JUo,:G .J,.ND TRA.~'SU\ no~' GE~:('Y

RJ YAUH • !G..... aDOM 01' SAL';)I ll......ll1....

trA(r
WAKf (ENoowrE^Tj aMrf
(EKDOw~iEJ'oo,T) ORATIF
I·~"". If, I ().., n AI)
 A
ESTABLISHING THI
ISTABLISHING PROOFS RIGARDING
THE PROOIS REGARDING THI
THE
RULE ON
RULE ON THOSE
THOSE 1VHO SEEK HILP
WHO SIEK IN OTHER
HELP IN OTHER
THAN ALL$
TIIANALLt\H OR
OR THOSI WHO BELIIVI
THOSE \vHO BELIEVE IN
IN
SOOTHSAYERS
SOOTHSAYTRS ND FORTUNE TELLIRS
AND FORTUNE TELLERS

BY
8Y
IDS
HISEMINENCE
IMINTNCESHEIKH ABDL'I,A11Z
SHTKHABDUL AZIZBINBINABDULL\H BIN
8IN BAl
ASDIJTITIH BM

BY
TRANSLANTEDBY
TRANSLANTED
DR.
DR. SYED
SYEDMUHAMMAD NAINAR
MUNAWWAR NAINAR
MUHAMMAD MUNAWWAR

PRINTEDAND
PRIl'.'TED PUBLISHED
AND PUBLISHED
BY
BY
PRESIDENCY
PRESIDENCYOFOF ISLAMIC
ISI.AMIC RESEARCHES
RESEARCHES
IITA AND PROPAGATION
IFTAAND PROPAGATION
PRINTING
PzuNTTNGAND
AIID TRANSLATION
TRANSIATION AGENCY
AGENCY
RIYADH·
RIYADH. KINGDOM
KINGDOMOFOFSAUDI AIABIA
${UDI ARABIA

(ENDOWMENDGRATIF
WAKF (ENDOWMENT)
WAKF GRATIF
l 4 l 4H.
1414 H .1993 AD
I 9 9 3AD
M
Inln the
theName
Naneof
of Allah,
Nlah,Most
MqstGracious,
Graclous, Most
MqgtMerciful
Merclfut

II{TRODUCnOil
INTRODucnON

Pralsebe
Praise betoto Allah
Allahand
and Peace
Peaceand
and Blessings
Blessirqsbe
be onon the
the
Prophetof
Prophet of Allah;
Allah;on hisfamily
on his famllymembers;
members;and
andon
on all those
allthooe
who proceedon
who proceed on his path.
his path.
Slne the
Since principleof
theprinciple of Oneness
Onenessof Allatrformed
of Allah formedthe
the basis
basis
d the
of themission
missionof
of Muhammad
MuhammadIbn lbnAbdullah
AMullah(on (onhim
himbe
bethe
the
bestof
best of blessings
blesslngsand peace)and
andpeace) andsince
sincethis
this mission
missionisis in
in
fact aa continuation
fact continuationofof the
the missions
missionsofof the prophetswho
the Prophets who
precededhim
preceded him as
as stated
statedby Allah in
by Allah ln the
the Holy
Holy Curan:
Quran:
"For We
"For We assuredly
assuredlysent
sent amongst
amongst every people an
every people an
Apostle, (with the command), serveAllah
Apostle, (with the command), serve Allah and
and eschew
eschew
(16:36),
Evil" (16:36),
Evil"
and since
and slnce opposition
opposilion toto heresy
heresy and and falsehood
falsehood in in its
its
various manifestations, formedthe
various manifestations, formed the core
coreof this Faith,it is
this Faith, is a
dutyon
duty on every
everyMuslim
Muslimto
to be
be well
wellinformed
informed about
about his
his religion
religion
and to
and to worship
worshipAllah as ordained
Allah as ordained by thethe lslamic
Islamic Sharia.
Sharia.
The Muslims
The the previous
Muslimsof tho previous generailons
generations had
had a clear
clear
concaptregarding
concept regardingtheir
their religion
religion because
because all
all their
their beliefs,
beliefs,
actions
actions and
and dealings
dealings were
were in accordance
accordance with
with the
the Holy
Holy
Quran and the Pure Traditions.
Curan and the Pure Traditions.
Later
Later on,
on, most
most of the
the Muslims
Muslims deviated
deviated from
from this
this Straight
Straight
Path -- the
Path the path
path of the
the Book
Book and
and the Tradition -- and
the Tradition and fetl
fell
apart into factions and groups
apart into factions and groups in all matters
matters pertaining
pertaining to
to
religion
religion as well as polilics
as well politics and
and the
the laws
laws regulating
regUlating their
their

(t)
(I)
daily lives.
daily lives. As a result,
result, there
there came existence heretical
came into existence heretical
innovations, falsehoods,
innovations,falsehoods, magic
magic and
and witchcraft.
witchcraft. All these
these
things served as easy loopholes
thingsservedas easy loopholes for the enemies lslam
enemies of Islam
to
to attack Islam and
attack lslam and its followers.
followers.
The Ulema (learned
The Ulema scholars) of lslam
(learned scholars) have, in all
Islam have, all
periodsof history,
periods history, past
past and
and present,
present, cautioned us through
cautioned through
their writings against
their writings these innovations.
against these innovations. This
This booklet
booklet
entlled(Establlshlng
entlled cc Establishing thethe proofs
proofs regardlng
regarding the
the Rule
Rule
on those
on those who who seek HelpIn
seekHelp In other
other than Allah or those
than Altah those
who Believe
who BelleveIn Soothsayersand
In Soothsayers and FortuneJellersu
Fortune.Tellersll by
HIs Eminence
His EmlnenceSheikh Shelkh Abdul
Abdul Azlz
Azlz bln
bin Abdulla
Abdulla blnbin
Baz,consists
Baz, conslstsof threethreeessays:
essays:
1.
1. The
The Regulation governingthe
Regulationgoverning Seeking of Help
the S€€king Help from
from
the
the Prophet (peace be
Prophet(peace upon him).
be upon him).
2. The Regulation
2. The Regulation governing
governing the Seeking
the Helpfrom
Seekingof Help from
Jinns and
Jinns and Satan
Satan and makingvows
and making vows to them.
them.
3. The Regulation
3. The Regulationregarding Worshipthrough
regardingWorship through certain
certain
Innovations are derived
which are
Innovationswhich from Heretical
derivedfrom Hereticaland
and
Polytheisticbeliefs.
Polytheistic beliefs.
The
The Presidency
Presidencyof Directoratesof
the Directorates
of the lslamicResearch
of Islamic Research
Iftah,
lftah, Dawah and Guidance
Dawah and Guidancehas has the pleasure
the pleasure to place
to place
before
beforethe thisbooklet
readerthis
thereader bookletasas aa contribution
contribution towards the
towardsthe
enlightenment
enlightenmentof of the Englishspeaking
the English speakingMuslims against
Muslimsagainst
Heresy and
Heresy and Superstition
Superstition -- so
so that generalapprecia-
the general
that the apprecia-
tion and understanding
tion and understandingof lslam may increase.
of Islam may increase.
MayAllah,
May Allah,the makethis
Almightymake
the Almighty thisbooklet
bookletof
of use to all
useto all
Muslims; VerilyAllah
Muslims;Verily grants suc@ss. And may peaco
Allahgrants success. And may peace be b€
upon
uponMuhammad,
Muhammad,his Familyand
his Family his Companions.
and his Companions.

(ii)
(Ii)
 Nameof Allah,
the Name
ln the
In Mosf Gracio
Nlah, Most us, Most
Gracious, Merciful
Most Merciful

FIRST ESSAY
fiE FIRST
THE ESSAY

Praisebe
Praise to Allah
be to and peace
Allahand and blessin
peaceand gs be
blessings the
uponthe
be upon
Prophet
Prophe t of the Membe
Allah, the
of Allah, Members his Family
rs of his and his
Family and his
Compa all
ard on all
nions and
Companions on those
those who
who proceed
procee d on
on his
his path'
path.

magazine,
weeklymagaz
The weekly
The ine, "AI-Mu jtama" of Kuwait
"Al-Muitama" Kuwait,, had in
had in
issueNo.
its issue
its dated19-4-1
15 dated
No.15 A.H.,publish
390 A.H.,
19-4-1390 poem
ed a poem
published
ing invoca
containing
contain tions to
invocations the Prophet
to the Prophe t (peace
(peace be
be upon
upon him)
him)
andappeal
and appelts himto
to him
s to helpthe Ummah
to help the Umma h (lslamic
(Islamic commun-
commu n-
andto
ity) and
ity) to salvag
salvagee itit from disaccord and
mutualdisaccord
from mutual e-
and disagree-
disagre
ments.The
ments. poemsigned
Thepoem signedby by someo
someone calledAmina,
ne called ranas
Amina, ran as
:
follows:
follows
"O Prophe
"0 Prophet t of come to
Allah, come
of Allah, rescueof a World
the rescue
to the World
caughtin
caught flames of
the flames
in the war,
of a war,
o Piophet
O Prophe of
t of Allah,
Allah, @me
come to
to rescueol
the rescue
the of the Ummah,
the Umma h,
plunged
plunge d inin the darkness
the darkne ss of
of doubts
doubts since
since long,
long,
o propnet
b Prophe t of cometo
Allah,come
of Allah, rescueof
the rescue
to the of the Ummah
the Umma h
which has
which lost sight
has lost vision in
its vision
of its
sight of the wildemess
in the wildern ess of
grief...
grief etc."
etc. etc."
... etc.
poem conclu
the poem
And the
And des with
@ncludes the following
with the lines:
follOWing lines:

"O Prophe
"0 Prophet t of cometo
Allah,come
of Allah, rescu€of
th€ rescue
to the the Umma
of the Ummah'
h,
plunged
plunge thedarkne
in the
d in darkness of doubt
ss of since
doubtsince long,
long, Pray
Pray you!
you!
speeOyvictory
bring speedy
bring you did
as you
viclory as did at the battle
at the Badr
of Badr
battleof
whenyou
when you called
calledout to the
out to Atmighty,
the Almigh And Lo!
ty, And Defeat
Lo! Defeat
tumed to
was turned
was to aa Gloriou
Gloriouss Victory,
Victory, Verily
Verily Allah
Allah hath
hath
soldiers
soldier Youdo
s you se€."
not see."
do not

1
 Thusthe
Thus personwho
theperson whowrote
wrotethis poemcries
thispoem criesout
outtoto the
the
Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace beupon
uponhim)
him)beseeching
beseeching him
himtotorescue
rescue
theUmmah
the Ummahby byachieving
achievingspeedy
spoedyvictory;
victory;she
sheforgets
forgetsor or
ignoresthe
ignores the fact
fact that
that victory
victoryisis granted
grantedby by Allah,
Allah,thetne
AlmightyAlone
Almighty Aloneand
andthat
thatititisisnot
notininthe
thehands
handsof propher
of Prophet
(peacebe
(peace beupon
uponhim)
him)nor
norininthe
thehands
handsof ofany
anyother
othercreation.
creaiion.
.Allsh,the
.Allah, th€ Almighty
Almightysays
saysinin thethe Holy
HolyOuran:
euran:
"Thereisis no
"There no help
helpexcept
exceptfrom
from Allah, the Exalted, the
Allah,theElalted, the
(3:126).
Wiso."(3:126).
Wise."
"lf Allah
- "If Allahhelps you,none
helpsyou, nonscan
can overcome
overcomoyou;you; Iflf He
He
forgakes you, who
forsakes you, who Is ls there,
there,after
afterthat,
that, that
thai can
can help
help
you?"(3:160).
you?" (3:160).
ItIthas
hasbeen
beenestablished
established bythe
by theverses
versesof
of the
theHoly
HolyOuran
euran
and by the consensus
and by the consensus of of the
the Ummah
Ummah thatthat Allah
Allah the
the
Almightycreated
Almighty created all all human
human beings
beings so
so that
that they
they may
may
worshipHim.
worship Him. He sent the
He sent the Messengers
Messengersandand revealed
revealedthethe
Booksto
Books to expound
expoundthe the manner
mannerof worship
worship and
and the
the path
path ofof
the mission.
the mission.In
In thi.s
this regard,
regard,Allah,
Allah, the
the Almighty
Almighty states
states in
in the
the
Holy Ouran:
Holy Quran:
'""l have
have only
only created
created Jinns
Jinns and
and men,
men, that
that They
They may
may
sorue Me." (51:56)
serve Me." (51 :56)
"For
.•For We
We assuredly
assuredly sent
sent amongst
amongst every
every people
people an
an
Apostle, (with
Apostl€, (with the
the command),
command), serve
serve Allah,and
Allah,and eschew
eschew
Evil." (16:36).
Evil." (16:36).
"Not
"Not aa messenger
messenger did
did We
We sand
send before
before thee
thee wlthout
without
this
this Inspiration
inspiration sent
sent by
by Us
Us to
to him
him that
that there
there ls
is no
no
god but l; thereforeworship
god but I; therefore worship and
and serve Me." (21:25)
serve Me." (21 :25)

2
 Lam, Aa,
"Alif, Lam,
"Alif, (This is)
Ra, (This with.verses
Book with
is) a Book basic or
verses basic
fundam ental
tuniamental (oi
(of establ ished
esta6lished meanin
meanlng)'g), furthe
further ex-
r ex-
plalned
plaine In detail,
d In from One Who
detail,from One Who Is
ls Wise
WIse and
and Well·
Well'
Acqua (with all
inted (with
Acqualnted things ): (lt
all things): teacheth) that ye
(It teacheth)
should worsh
should worshlp Allah (Say)
none but Allah
ip none (Say) Verlly am
Verily I, am
unto you
(sent)unto
(sent) from Him
you from and to brlng
warn and
Him to warn glad
bring glad
t l d l n g."
tidings (" 1 1:1-2)
s . (11 :1'2)
clearfrom the
is clear
ItIt is from veniosthat
aboveverses
the above Allah the
that Allah Almighty
the Almighty
createdhuman
has created
has humanbeingsbeings and
and jinns
iinns but
but for
for one
one purpose
purpose
only:to
only: to worshi
worship p Him Aloneand
HimAlone not
and not to attribute
attribut e any
any partner
partner
Him. And
to itim.
to And He He has said clearly
has said that the
clearly that the ngers
Messengers
Messe
(peaceand
(peace and blessin
blessings gs be them all)
uponthem
b€ upon were sent call
all) were sent to call
ior this
for worship
this worshi and to
p and to forbid what is
forbid what is contrar
contrary it: the
y to it: the
veftles of
verses the Holy Quran
of the Holy auran are
are clear
clear and
and rical
categorical
catego in
statingthat
stating Allahand
thatAllah andAllah
Allah Alone
Alone is
is to be
be worshi pped.
worshipped' This
This
worshi
worsnip impliesfaith
p implies Oneness
the Onene
inthe
faithin ss of obedience
Allah obedie
of Allah nce toto
Him,compli
Him, ance of
compiiance Hiscomma
of His commands and abstention
nds and absten tion trom
from all
all
that has been forbidd en by Him.
thathasbeen|orbiddenbyHim.A||ahhasordainedthese Allah has ordained these
tenets
tenets
- numerous
in numero
in us verses:
verses :
"And they
"And theyhavehavebeen commanded
beencomma nded no rnorethan
no more this: to
thanthis:
worship
worsh Allah,offering
ip Allah, offerin g Him
Him sincere
sincer e devotion,
devoti on, being
being
Truein
True Faith."(98:4)
in Faith," (98:a)
and
and
"ThyLord
"Thy hathdecree
Lordhath ye worshi
thatye
d that
decreed worship
p none Him"'
but Him."
nonebut
(17:22)
(17:22)

and
and
revealed
havereveale
Whohave
We Who d the to thee
Bookto
the Book in
thee in
"Verilyitit is
"Verily is We
Truth:so
Truth: so serve offering
Allahofferin
serveAllah him sincere
g him sincere devotion'
devoti on.

3
 ls itit not
Is not toto Allah
Allahthat
that sincere
sinceredevotion
devotionis is due?"
due?"
(39:1421
(39:142)
Theverses
The versesdealing
dealingon onthis
thisconcept
conceptare abundantin
areabundant in the
the
HolyOuran.
Holy Quran.They Theyallall point
point to the necessityof sincerityin
to the necessity of sincerity in
worshipping
worshipping AllahAlone
Allah Aloneand
andto giveup
to give upworshipping
worshipping of
of all
all
others includingthe
othersincluding the Prophets.
Prophets.There
There is is no
no doubt
doubt that
that
"Dua" (Invocation)
"Dua" (lnvocation)is is aa vital
vitaland
and comprehensive
comprehensive form
formof of
worship;itit is
worship; isto
to be
beaddressed
addressedin in all
allsincerity
sincerityto
to Allah Alone
AllahAlone
as Allah the
as Allah the Almighty
Afmightysayssays inin the
the Holy
Hoty Ouran:
Quran:
"Callye,
"Call thenupon
ye, then uponAllah withsincere
Allahwith sinceredevotion
devotionto to Him
Him
even though
even thoughthe the unbelievers
unbelieversmay may detest
detest it." (40:14)
it." (40:14)
and
and
"Andthe
"And placesof
the places of worShip
worshipare
arefor
for Allah (Atone):so
A[ah (Alone): so
invokenot
invoke not anyone
anyonealong
along withAilah."
with Allah. " (72:19).
(72:18).
Thisapplies
This appliesto
to all
all the
the creations
creationsinclUding
includingthe prophets
the Prophets
(peacebe
(peace be upon
uponthem)
them)because
becausothethe word "Ahad" in
word"Ahad" in Arabic
Arabic
is indefinite noun used
is indefinite noun used in in the
the context
contextof total negation.
of total nogation.
Therefore,itit applies
Therefore, appliesto to all
all except
except Allah
Allah the
the Almighty.
Almighty.
Allah the
Allah the Almighty
Almightysays:
says:
"Nor call
"Nor call on
on any,
any,other
otherthan Allah: -- such
than Allah: such will
will nei-
nei-
ther profit
ther profit thee
thee nor
nor hurt
hurt thee."
thee." (10:106)
(10:106)
This verse
This verse is
is addressed Prophet (peace
the Prophet
addressed to the (peace be upon
upon
him).
him).
Needlessto say,
Needless say, the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace be upon
upon him)
him)
enpys Divine protection
enjoys Divine from potytheistic
protection from polytheistic beliefs;
beliefs; the
the
purpose
purpose of this
this verse
verse is to caution
caution others.
others. The
The Almighty
Almighty
says:
says:

4
 "If thou
"lf dost, boholdl
thou dost, beholdl thou
thou shatt certainly be of tfiose
shalt certainly those
who do
who wrong." (10:106).
do wrong." (10:106).
Thus,
Thus, the among the
foremost among
the foremost the mankind, namely the
mankind, namely the
Prophet
Prophet(peace (peacebe be upon him) has
upon him) himself been
has himself cautioned
been cautioned
that
that if
il he
ne invokes
invokes anyone
anyone other
other thanAllah,
than Allah, shall be
he shall
deemed
doemed as one as one who
who does
does wrong.
wrong. What
What to say of other
other
human
human beings? beings?
ItIt must
must be be noted
noted that
that the
the word "Zulm" (wrong
word "Zulm" doing) is
(wrong dcling)
used in the sense
usedin the senseof maiorof major "shirk"
"Shirk" that
that is polytheisrn'
polytheism. Allah
Allah
the
the Almighty saYs:
AlmightYsays:
"Those
"Thosewho whoreject
reiectthe faith -they
the faith the wrong
are the
- they are wrong doers"'
doers. "
(2:254)
Q:2541

and
and
"Behold, Luqman
"Behold, Luqman said to his
said to his son
son by the way
by the way otof
instruction: 'O my
'0 my son! notin
join not
son!join in worship (others)with
worship(others) with
instruction:
Allah: falseworship
for false
Allah:for worshipis is indeed
indeedthe
the highest
highestwrong
wrong
doing."
doing." ( 3
(31 1 : 1
:13). 3 ) .
is evident
ItIt is from all
evidentfrom all these verses that
these verses invocationto
that invocation to
anyoneother
anyone Allah whether
than Allah
otherthan whetherthey theybe
befrom thedead
from the deador or
treesor idols,etc.,isan actof
trees or idols, etc.,is an act of joining
joining others
others with
with Allahin
Allah in
worship;itit contradicts
worship; contradicts purpose
the purpose of
the of worship
worshipfor which
for which
Allahhas
Allah hascreated
createdthe humanbeings
thehuman beingsand andthe jinnsand
thejinns had
andhad
(peacebe
Prophets(peace
sentProphets
sent beupon them)and
uponthem) andhad revealedthe
hadrevealed the
Messages
DivineMessages
Divine thatthey
sothat
so theyconvey
conveythethemessages
messages to the
to the
peopleand
people andcall themto
callthem to act
actupon
uponit.it.This
Thisisis the meaningof
themeaning of
thephrase
the "there
phrase"there isis no godexcept
no god Allah;"this
exceptAllah;" thisstatement
statement

5
 there is nothing
that there
affirms that
affirms nothing to be
be worshipped except Allah
worshipped except Allah
Alnnighty. lt
the Alnnighty.
the stated in the
It is stated the Holy
Holy Quran:
Ouran:
"That
"That is Allah is
because Allah
is because the Truth,
is the Truth, and
and because
because
whatever
whatever else they invoke
else they besides Him
invoke besides Him is
is Falsehood."
Falsehood."
(31:30)
(31 :310)
This is
This is tlre essence of religion,
the essence and the
religion, and basic principle
the basic principle of
our
our faith;
faith; 110 worship will
no worsh$p will be
be true unlessthis
true unless prinolpleis
this prinoft:>le is truly
truly
accepted. Allah
accopted. the Almighty
Allah the Almighty says in the
says in Holy Ouran:
the Holy Quran:
has already
"But it has revoaledlo
beenrevealed
alread)J been thee, -- As
to thee, As it was
was to
those the6l, -- "If
beforetheo,
those before "lf thou
thou were
were to ioin (gods with
join (gods with
Allah), fruitless will
truly fruitless
Allah), truly will be thy work
be thy work (in(in life),
lifa),and
and
thou wilt surely be in the
thou wilt surely be in the ranks
ranks of those
of those who
who lose
lose
(allspiritual
(all good)."(39:65)
splritualgood)." (39:65)
and
and
"lf they
"" to join
were to
they were otherAllahs
join other withHim,
Allahs with Him, all
all they
they did
did
would be
would be in vain for
in vain for them." (6:88).
them." (6:88).
The
The religion
religionof lslam is
of Islam is ba.$ed on two
based on two great principles:
groat principles:
1.
1. That
That Allah Alone is
Allah Alone to be
is to worshipped.
be worshipped.
2. That
2. That the
the worship
worshipshould
should be to the
accordingto
be according path
the path
shown
shownbyby the of Allah,
Prophetof
the Prophet Allah,Muhammad (peace
Muhammad(peace
be upon
be upon him).
him).

This
Thisisis the
the meaning
meaningof of the "Shahadah"i.e.
the "Shahadah" i.e.the
the Statement
Statement
of
ofFaith:
Faith:Thlsre
Thereisis no god except
no god excsptAllah andthat
Allahand Muhammad
thatMuhammad
is
isthe
the Mess;enger
Mesc;enger of
of Allah. Therefore,itit will
Allah.Therefore, beaa contradic-
willbe contradic-
tion
tionof
of this principleifif anyone
this principle invokesthe
anyoneinvokes the dead including
deadincluding

6
the Prophets
the Prophetsor or others
othersoror invokes
invokesidols,
ldols,tree,
treeaand gtoneg,
and stones,
otc.and
etc. andseeks
seekstheir helpor
thelrhelp or seeks
seeksto galnfavour
lo gain favourfrom
fromthem
them
by.offerlng
by sacrlflcegof
offering sacrifices of animals
anlmalsor vowsor
or vows praisefor
or praise for them
them
or prostratesto
or prostrates to them.
them.Itlt will
wlll be an act of associatlngothers
be an act of associating others
as Lords
as Lordsofof the
the creation
creatlonbesides Allahthe
besldegAllah Almlghg;Itlt will
the Almighty; will
alsoamount
also amountto to setting
eottlngupup of rlvalsto
of rivals to Allah
Allahthe
the Almighty.
Almlghty.In In
otherwords,
other words,Itlt will
will be negatlonof
be a negation thlebasic
of this baslctenet.
tenet.Itlt must
must
alsobe
also mentionedthat
b€ mentioned thatanyone
anyonowho Introducesinto
whointroduces Intoreligion
rellgion
somethingwhich has not been
something which has not been Permitted
Permitted by
by Allah
Allah the
the
Almlghtywill
Almighty wlll be
be failing
falllngto
to abide
abldeby by the
the meaning
meanlngof the
of the
Shahadahthat
Shahadah "Muhammadis
that "Muhammad is the Messenger
the Messenger of Allah."
of Allah."
Allah the
Allah the Almighty
Almightysays:
says:
"And We
"And We shall lum to
shalltum to whatever
whateverdeeds
deedsthey
they did (in this
dld (In this
llfe),and
life), and We
We shall
shallmake
makesuch
suchdeeds
deedeas
as floating
floatingdust
dust
scattoredabout."
scattered (25:23).
about." (25:23).
The deeds
The referredto
deedsreferred to here.
here,are
are the
the deeds
deedsof thosewho
of those who
spent their
spent their lives
lives in polytheisticbeliefs.
in polytheistic beliefs.
In this
In this category
categoryof of deeds
deedsareare also
also included
includedall all contrived
contrived
actionswhich
actions which havehave not
not been permittedby
been permitted by Allah;
Allah; these
these
actions will,on
actionswill, the Day
on the Dayof of JUdgement,
Judgement, be
be like
like floatingdust
floating dust
scatteredabout
scattered aboutbecause
becausoitit was
was not in accordance
not in accordancewith withthe
the
Divine Guidance.
Divine Guidance.The The Prophet
ProphetMuhammad
Muhammad(peace (peacebe be
upon him)
upon him) has
has said in an
said in an authentic
authenticTradition:
Tradition:"He "He who
who
innovatessomething
innovates somethingin in this
this matter
matterofof ours
oursthat is not
that is not of
of itit
will have
will have itit rejected.
rejected." The above
,. The abovereferred
referredlady writerhas
lady writer has
addressedan
addressed invocationto
an invocation to the
the Prophet (peace
Prophet(peace be be upon
upon
him)and
him) andcalls
callsfor
for his help.She
his help. Shehas
hastumed
tumedawayawayfromfromthe
the
Lord of
Lord the creations
of the creationsin in Whose
WhoseHandHandthere
there is Victoryas
is Victory as

7
wellas
well Defeat,Who
as Defeat, Alonebestows
WhoAlone bestowshelp
helpor lossor
or loss or benefit;
benefit;
none other can beneftt nor bestow any such thing. No
none other can benefit nor bestow any such thing. No
donbt such
doubt such anan action
action isis a serious violationand
seriousviolation and itit is
is a
"Shirk" (polytheism),the
"Shirt" (polytheism), the consequences
consequon@sof of which
which will
will be
be
very gravo. Allah
very grave. Allah the
the Almighty
Almighty has has commanded
commandedus us toto
invoke Him
invoke Him andand to
to seek
seek HisHis help;
help; HeHe has promisedto
has promised to
r€spond;ard
respond; and he
he has
has also
also threatened
threatened with
with dire
dire consequ-
consequ-
qro6 all
ences those who
allthooo who are
are haughty.
haughty.He Hesays: "And your
says:"And yourLord
Lord
says: 'Call
says:'Call on Me,I will
on Me, willanswer
answeryour (Prayer)but
your(Prayer) thosewho
butthose who
are too
are anogantto
too arrogant to serve
serveMe Me will
will surely find themselves
surelyfind themselvesin in
Hall-- in
Hell in humiliation." (40:60)This
humiliation."(40:60) This verse pointsout
versepoints that
out that
invocationis
invocation formof
is a form prayerand
of prayer whoeveris
and whoever is haughty,
haughty,his his
place
ultimateplace of
ultimate of abode will be
abo<lewill Hell.Iflf such
be Hell. suchis is th&
the C8&e
casewith
with
regardto one
regard who has
one who has had the audacity
hadthe audacityto avoid prayingto
avoidpraying to
Allah,what
Allah, what will
will be the condition
be the conditionof p€rsonwho
of a person invokes
who invokes
than Allah
other than
other Allah while
while Allah
Allah the Almightyis
the Almighty is Omnipotent
Omnipotent
and Omnipresent?
and Omnipresent?The The Holy
Holy Ouran
Quran says:
says:
"When My
"When My servants
servantsask
ask thee
thee concerning
ooncemingMe, Me, I am
am
indeedclose
indeed (to them):
close (to them):I listen
listento
to the prayerof
the prayer of every
every
whenhe
suppliantwhen
suppliant he calleth
callethon Me: let
on Me: let them
themalso,
also,with
witha
will, listento
will,listen to My
My call
call and
and believe
believein Me:that
in Me: theymay
thatthey may
walk on
walk the right
on the right way." (2:186).
way." (2:186).
ItIt is narratedin
is narrated in an authenticTradition
an authentic Traditionthat
that the Prophet
the Prophet
(p€acebe
(peace be upon
uponhim)
him)advised
advisedhis
hiscousin AbdullaBin
cousinAbdulla BinAbbas
Abbas
as follows:
as follows:
"Remember
"Remember Allahand
Allah andHe Hewill
willremember
remember you;remember
you; remember
Allahand
Allah ye shall
andye himin
findhim
shallfind yourpath;
in your path;Iflf ya
ye ask,
ask,ask
ask
from Allah;
from Allah;and ye seek
and ifif ye seek help,
help, seek from Allah."
seek from Allah."

8
And he
And he also
also saicl,
said,
"He,
"He, who while praying
dies while
who dies praying to someone as
to someone as rival
rival to
to
Allah, the
the reward
Allah, reward for such
such a person
person shall
shall be the
the fire
fire of
Hell." (narrated
Hell." (narrated by lmam
Imam Bukhari).
Bukhari).

Tradition the
another Tradition
In another
In Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace be upon him)
be upon him) said
said
answer to a query
an answer
in an query as to which the greatest
which is the greatest sin:
sin:
"To make
make somoone Allah, who
rival to Allah,
someone as rival has created
who has created
you."
you."
So, anyone
So, anyone who who prays
prays to other than Allah,
other than seeks his
Allah, sesks his help
help
or gives offering to him
gives offering slaughters an
him or slaughters an animal offers a
animal or otfers
prayerto
prayer to him will be
him will someone as
adopting someone
be adopting rival to
as rival to Allah'
Allah,
whether he
whether he be Prophetor a devout
be a Prophet p€rsonor a king
devout person king or
or
jinn
jinn or
or an
an idol or anything
idolor anythingelse. As regards,
else.As hvocationto
regards,invocation to a
p€rsonwho
person who is is alive presentbefore
andpresent
aliveand you,itit is
beforeyou, notan
is not an act
act
of
of shirk (associationism)
shirk(associationism) becauseitit is
because quite normalto seek
is quite normal to seek
the
the help
helpof ol those
thosearound you in
aroundyou in matters pertainingto
matterspertaining to the
the
material
materiallifelife to the extent
to the possible;itit is
extent possible; and
normal and
is aa normal
sanctioned practiceamong
sanctionedpractice Allahthe
Muslims.Allah
amongMuslims. Almighty
the Almighty
says
says in
in the
the Holy
HolY Ouran:
Quran:
In
In the
the story pertainingto
storypertaining "Now the
Moses:"Now
to Moses: manof
the man his
of his
own peopleappealed
ownpeople appealed himagainst
tohim
to against hisfoe."
his (28:15).
foe." (28:15).

andin
and in another
anotherverse pertainingalso
versepertaining to the
alsoto thestory
storyof Moses,
of Moses,
Allah the
Allah the Almighty
AlmightY saYs:
says:
"He therefore,
"He got away
therefore,got awaytherefrom, lookingabout,
therefrom,looking in aa
about,in
state
stateof
of fear." (28:20).
fear." (28:20).
Man
Mantherefore
thereforeseeks helpof
thehelp
seeksthe ofhis fellownuman
hisfellow beingsat
numanbeings at

9
 tlmesof
times ofwar
waror
orat
attimes
tlmesof
ofdifficulties
dlfflcultles thatoccur
that occurto
tohim
hlmand
and
whlchrequire
which requlrethe
the help ol otherg.Allahorderedhls prophet
helpof others. Allah ordered his Prophet
(peacebe
(peace beupon
uponhim)
hlm)totoconvey
conveyto tothe peoplethat
thepeople thathe (the
ho(the
Prophet)does
Prophet) doegnot possossfor
not possess for anyone
anyoneany goodnor
anygood norany
any
harm.The
harm. The Holy
HolyOuran
Quranstates:
statos:
"Say: II do
"Say: dono
nomore
morethan
thaninvoke
lnvokemy
myLord,
Lord,and
andIljoin
join not
not
wlth Him
with Him any (false god)."
any (false god ).,'
"Say: Itlt Is
"Say: ls not
not In
In my powerto
my power to cause you harm,
causeyou harm,or
or to
to
bring you
bring you to to right
rightconduct."
conduct."(72:20,21).
(72:20,211.
and
and
"Say: II have
"Say: haveno powerover
no power overany goodor
anygood or harm
harmto
to myself
myself
exceptas
except as Allah
Allahwilleth.
wllleth.Iflf II had
hadknowledge
knowledge of
of
the unseen,
the unseen,II should
should have mulilplledall
have multiplied all
good,and
good, and no
no evil
evilshould
shouldhave havetouched
touchedme:me: I
am but
am but a warner,
warner,and
and a bringer
bringerof glad tid·
of glad ild-
Ingsto
Ings to those
thosewho
who have
havefaith."
faith."(7:188).
(7:1gg).
The
The Quranic
Ouranic verses
verses onon this
this concept
concept are
are many
many inin number.
number.
The Prophet (peace
The Prophet (peace be be upon
upon him)
him) never
never invoked
invoked anyone
anyone
other
other than
than Allah
Allah and
and hehe never
never sought
sought help
help from
from anyone
anyone
other
other than
than Him;
Him; hehe beseeched
beseeched AllahAllah the
the Almighty
Almighty during
dUring
the
the battle
battle of Badr
Badr and
and asked
asked HimHim for victory
victory against
against the
the
onemy;
enemy; he he persistently
persistently prayed
prayed to Him saying "O
Him saying "0 Lord,
Lord, fulfill
fulfill
for me your
for me your promise."
promise." He He kept
kept repeating
repeating these
these words
words to
the extent
the extent thatthat his
his friend
friend and
and companion
companion Abu Abu Bakr
Bakr said:
said:
"May suffice you,
"May it suffice you, O 0 Prophet
Prophet of of Allah;
Allah; verily
verily Allah
Allah will
will
fulfill His promise
fulfill His promise to to you."
you." InIn this
this context,
context, Allah
Allah revealod
revealed
the
the following
following verse
verse ofof the
the Holy
Holy Quran:
Ouran:

10
 "Remember
"Remember ye ye implored
implored the assistance of
the assistance of your
your Lord,
Lord,
answered you:
and He answered
and you: "l"I will assist you
will assist you with
with aa
thousand of
thousand angels, ranks
the angels,
of the ranks on ranks." Allah
on ranks." made it~
Allah made
but a message
but message of hope,
hope, and
and an assuranoo
assurance to your
your
hearts:
heartrs:(in any case)there
case) there is no helpexcapt
help except fromAllah,
from Allah:
And Allah is Exalted
And Allah Wise." (8:9,10).
Power Wse."
Exalted in Power (8:9,10).
Thus Allah
Thus Allah the
the Almighty them of their
reminds them
Almighty reminds call for
their call for
help and
help and how
how He responded to them
He responded sending reinforce-
them by sending reinforce-
Angels to them
ments of Angels
ments them and victory is not
that victory
and that from the
not from the
Angels, but the
Angels,but the Angels
Angels were
were sent
sent only
only to convey
convey the
the good
good
news of victory
nsws victory and contentment. He
and contentment. He says:
says:
"Victory is but
"Victory is but from
from Allah." (3:126)
Allah." (3:126)
and
and
"Allahhad
"Allah you at
helpedyou
had helped Badr,when
at Sadr, yo were
whenye werea con-
con'
temptible force;then
temptibleforce; fearAllah;
then fear thus may
Allah;thus ye show
mayye show
yourgratitude."
your (3:123),
gratitude."
(3:123).
Thus
Thus Allah grantedhelp
Allah granted help at Battle of
the Battle
at the of Badr; the
Badr; the
weapons,
weapons,the powerto
the power fight and
to fight and the Angelswere
the Angels were all the
all the
factors
factors that
that brought
brought victory
victory and
and glad
glad tidings;
tidings; They
They were
were
only
onlythe
the means
meansby whichthe
by which the Divine victorywas
Divinevictory granted;
was granted;
victory
victoryis is therefore fromAllah
thereforefrom only.So
Allahonly. howcould
So how couldthe lady
the lady
writer
wriler referred
referredtoto above
aboveor anyoneelse
or anyone else seek
seek help and
help and
victory
victoryfrom
from the
the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon him) and
upon him)· turn
and turn
away
awayfrom
from the
the Lord of all
Lordof all creations who is
creationswho is Omnipresent
Omnipresent
and Omnipotent?
and Omnipotent?
No
Nodoubt,
doubt,this
thisattitude
attitudeonly
onlybetrays ignorancein
betraysignorance inits worst
itsworst
forms and indeed
formsand indeeditit is
is aa malor
major act
act of
of Shirk
Shirk (associationism).
(associationism).

11
11
 ItIt is thereforeaa dUty
is therefore dutyon thewriter
on the to repent
writerto repentto to Allah
Allahin
in all
all
sincerity and
sincerity and to
to never
never repeat
repeat such
such aa mistake.
mistake. Sincere
Sincere
repentancerequires
repentance requirestotal
total conviction
convictionand and compliance
complianceto to
whathas
what hasbeen
beenordainedby Allah.And if the repentanceis
ordained by Allah. And if the repentance is
with regard
with regardtoto the
the rights
rightsof
of any fellowhuman
anyfellow humanbeings,
beings,such
such
rightsshould
rights shouldbe retumedto
be returned whomthey
to whom theybelong
belongoror he (the
he (the
repentant)should
repentant) should obtain
obtain anan acquital
acquitalthereof.
thereof.Allah
Allah has
has
orderedHis
ordered His worshippers
worshippersto repentand
to repent and He He has promised
has promised
a@eptanceof
acceptance of their repentance.He
their repentance. He says
says inin the Holy
the Holy
Quran:
Quran:
"And 0O ye
"And ye Believers!
Believerslturn ye all
turn ye all together
togethertowards
towards
Allah,that
Allah, ye
thatye may
mayattain
attainbliss." (2a:31)
bliss."(24:31)
and Allah
and Allah says with regard
says with regardto the Christians:
to the Christians:
"Why turn
"Why turn they not to
they not to Allah,
Allah,and
and seek
seekHis
His forgive-
forgive-
ness? For
ness? For Allah is oft-forgiving,
Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
Most Merciful."
(5:7a)
(5:74)
and Allah
and Allah says:
says:
"Those
"ThosewhoInvoke
who lnvokenot, wlthAllah,
not,with Allah,any otherAllah,nor
anyother AlIah,nor
slay
slaysuch
suchlife
llfeas
asAllah hasmade
Allahhas sacred,
madesacred, except forJust
exceptfor Just
cause,
cause,nornor commit fornlcatlon;-- and
commltfornication; and any that does
any that does
(notonly)
this (not
this meetsPunishment
only)meets Punishment (but)the
(but) the Penalty
Penaltyonon
Day of
the Day
the Judgementwill
of Judgement will be doubledto
be doubled to him,
him,and he
and he
will dwell
will dwell therein
thereininin ignominy. -
ignominy.- Unless
Unlesshe repents,
he repents,
believes,
belleves, and works
and rlghteousdeeds,
worksrighteous deeds,forfor Allah
Allahwill
wlll
change
changethethe evil of such
evil of personsinto
suchpersons good,and
into good, andAllah is
Allah is
Oft-forgiving,
Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
Most (25:68,69,70)
Merciful."(25:68,69,70)
and Allah
and Allah says:
says:
"He is
is the One that
the One that accepts repentancefrom
accepts repentance His
from His

12
12
 Servants and
Servants and forgives
forgives sins: and He knows
sins: and knows all that ye
all that ye
do." (42:25).
do." (42:25).
Prophet (pe'ace
The Prophet
The (pe'ace be upon him) has
upon him) has said:
said:
"lslam
"Islam obliterates that has procooded
obliterates all that preceeded it; and
and
repentance erases
rep€ntance all the
erases all earlier (wrong)
the earlier (wrong) actions."
actions."
In this
this brief essay, I have
brief essay, have sought explain the
sought to explain the
magnitude and
magnitude and danger
danger of the sin of Shirk
the sin (associationism)
Shirk (associationism)
because it is one
because one of the
the major It is my
sins. lt
major sins. earnest desire
my earnest desire
that
that the
the reaqers
readers should
should understand
understand the
the issue
issue in
in its
its right
right
perspective and should
perspectiveand should not
not be
be misled
misled by
by such
such writers.
writers.
In prayto Allah
conclusion, I pray
In conclusion, the Almighty
Allah the makethese
Almighty to make these
few
few words
words of use
use to Muslims
Muslims and
and may
may He
He reform
reform us
us alland
all and
make
make us us proceed
proceed always on
alwayson the
the right
right path
path and
and fortify
fortify us
us
with
with the
the knowledge
knowledgeof of Religion
Religion and steadfastnessin
and steadfastness in
adhering
adheringto it. May
to it. protect us
Atlah protect
May Allah us from the evils
from the evils ofof
ourselves
ourselvesand and from our bad
from our bad actions. He is
Verily He
actions. Verily the
is the
Protector
Protectorandand Sustainer.
Sustainer.Peace
Peaceand blessingsof
and blessings of Allah
Allahbe be
upon His Slave and
upon His Slave and MessengerMessenger Muhammad
Muhammad and
and the
the
Members
Membersof of his
his Family
Famityand his Companions.
and his Companions.

•••
OOO

13
13
In the N81TIe
ln the Nane of
ol Allah,
Nldt, Most
MdgtGracious,
Graclous,Most
MagtMerciful
Merclful

T}IE SECOND
THE SECOI{DESSAY
E88AV

FromAbdul
From AbdulAllz
Azlzbin AMullahbin
blnAbdullah Bazto
blnBaz to those
thosoMuslims
Muallms
-may Allahbless
- may Allah blessthem
themand
and me
me-- who
who adhere
adheretoto the
the
Rellglonof
Religion of Allah
Allahand remalncommitted
and remain commltted to It.
to lt. Amen.
Amen.
MayPeace,
May Peace,Mercy
Morcyand
andBlessings
Bleoelnge ol Allah
of Allahbe
boupon youall.
uponyou all.
Some frlendssought
Somefriends soughtto to know
knowfrom frommemeabout
aboutthetheactions
ac'tlong
ofsome
of eomeuninformed
unlnformed Brethren
Brethren ofour
of Rellglon.
ourReligion. Theystated
They stated
thatthese
that people,at
thegepeople, at times
Umegof of calamities, Invd<ecertain
calamliles,Invoke certaln
forcesand
forces andseek
eeektheir
thelrhelp;
help;they
theyInvoke
Invokeforfor Instance,
Ingtence,the the
Jlnnsand
Jlnns glveofferings
endgive dferlngeand andsacrifices
sacrlficea of anlmale
of animals to them;
to them;
eomeof
some theycry
of they cry out
out saying
aaylng'0 'O you
you seven
Seventaketake hlml',
hlml',
meanlngthereby
meaning therebysevenSevenChiefs
Chlefsof the Jlnns.
of the Theymight
Jlnng.They mlght
also say,
also say, '0'O you
you seven
SevenInflict
Infllc.tonon him
hlm such
such andand sudr
such
thlngs...
things breakhis
... break hls bones,
bones,drink
drlnkhis his blood,
blood,mutilate
mutlatehls his
body.'Some
body.' Someof themmay
of them gay,'0
maysay, 'O the
theJlnn
Jlnnofof noon
noontme,time, O0
the Jinn of Asr (evening)
the Jlnn of Asr (evening) time tme take him".
takehim". Such prac'ticee
Suchpractices
are prevalent
areprevalent lnsome
In someof of the
thesouthem
southemareas. areas.InIn addition
addition toto
those,there
those, thereIsis also
alsothe
the Invoking
Invokingof of the dead, irrcluding
the dgad, Including the
the
Propheb,the
Prophets, thenoble
noblesouls andAngels
soulsand Angels and and others.
others. They
They are
are
invokedand
invoked andtheir
theirhelp
helpIs is sought,
sought,unfortunately,
unfortunately, by
by many
many
who professthe
who profess the Faith
Faith of lslam. They
of Islam. They do do soso duedue to
ignorance
ignorance anddue
and dueto thedesire
to the imitateard
desireto Imitate and follow
follow what
what
was practisedby
was practised by their
their forefathers;
forefathers; some some of them them maymay
theiractions
justify their
Justify ac'tions by saying, 'this
by sayrng, 'this is something in
is something in vogue:
vogue:
we do
we do not
notmean
meananything
anything by by it
It nor
nor do we have
do we have anyany faith
faith in
In

1
155
 it.' Some
it.
I friends also
Some friends atso sought
soujnt mymy opinion
opinion on having
on having
relationshipsof
relationships of marriage
maniage with people known
with people known forfor such
such
actionsand
actions and on acceptingtheir
on accepting theirofferings;
offerings;offering prayers
otferingprayers
for them,
for prayrng behind
them, praying behind them
them andand about
about belief
belief inin
magiciansand
magicians and soothsayers
soothsayerswhowho I was told, claim know-
I was told, claim know-
ledgeof
ledge the sickness
of the sicknessof personand
of aa person the reasons
and the reasonsof of the
the
sicknossby
sickness by merely
merelycasting
castingaa look
lookat
at anything
anythingon the body
on the bocly
of the
of patientsuch
the patient such as
as aa turban, pyjamas,veil,
turban,pyjamas, veil, etc.
etc.
In answer
In answerto the above,
to the above, II wish
wish to
to state the following:-
stiatethe following:-
Praisebe
Praise to Allah
be to Allahthe
the One
One and
and Only
OnlyAllah
Allahand
and blessings
blessings
and peaceupon
and peace uponthe Prophetof
the Prophet Allah,who
of Allah, who was
was the
the last
lastof
of
all Prophets;
all poacoand
Prophets;peace andblessings
blessingsalso
alsoupon
uponhis family,his
hisfamily, his
companionsand
companions and on
on all
allthose who will
those who willabide by the
abide by pathof
the path of
right guidanceuntil
right guidance until the
the Day
Day of
of Judgement.
Judgement.
Verily,Allah
Verily, Allahthe
the Almighty
Almightyhas hascreated
createdthe humanbeings
the human beings
and the Jinns
and the Jinnsinin order
orderto worshipHim
to worship Himand
and to
to abstain from
abstainfrom
worshipping,invoking,
worshipping, invoking,seeking
seekingthe help and
the help and giving
giving offer-
offer-
ingsand
ings and sacrifices
sacrificesandand toto offer
otferall
allother worshipsto
other worships to none
none
otherthan
other than Him.
Him. Allah
Allah has
has sent
sent the
the Messengers
Messengersto guide
to guide
the people to
the people to this
this task
task andand He He revealed
revealedthethe He\!.venly
Heovenly
Books,the
BoDks, the greatest
greatest of whichwhich is is the Holy Ouran.
the Holy Quran. Itlt was
was
revealedin
revealed in order
order to convey
conveythis messageand to
this message and to preach
preach
and
and to work
work for besidescautioning
for it besides cautioningthe peopleagainst
the people against
"Shirk" (associationism)
"Shirk" (associationism) with
with Allah
Allah and against the
and against the wor-
wor-
shipping
shipping of anyone
anyone other
other than
than Him.
Him. This the purport
This is the purport of
the
the Statement faith: "There
Statement of faith: "There is no no god except Allah";
god except Allah"; it
clearly
clearly sets
sets out the principle
out the principle that
that there
there is no
no one
one else
else to be
be
worshipped except Allah;
worshipped except Allah; thus
thus it negates
negates the
the concept
concept of

16
Godliness to
Godliness to anyone
anyone other
other than Allah; itit affirms
than Allah; that Allah
affirms that Allah
Alone and
Alone and non€none other
other than
than Allah
Allah is
is to
to b€
be worshipped'
worshipped.
There are
There are ample
ample evidences
evidences on this in
on this the Holy
in the Ouran and
Holy Quran and
in the Traditions
in theTraditions of the Prophet
of the Prophet (peace
(peace be upon
be upon him)'
him). Allah
Allah
says in
says in the
the HolY
Holy Quran:
Ouran:
"I have
"l have only
only created
created Jinns men, that
and men,
Jinns and they may
that they may serve
serve
Me." (51:56)
Me." (51 :56)

and
and

"Thy Lord
"Thy Lord hath that ye
decreed that
hath decreed worship none
ye worship but Him"'
none but Him."
(17:23)
(17:23)
and
and

"Andthey
"And theyhave
havebeen commanded
beencommanded no more
no this: To
than this:
morethan To
worshlpAllah,offerlng
worship Allah, offering Hlm
Him slncere
sincere devotlon,
devotion, belng
being
true (lnfaith)."
true(In (98:05)
lalth)."(98:05)

and
and

"And your
"And yourLord
Lordsays: "Call on
says:"Call Me; II will
on Me; will answer your
answeryour
(Praye$:but
(Prayer): butthose who are
thosewho aretoo arrogantto
too arrogant to serve Me
serveMe
will
will surely find themselves
surelyfind thems€lves in Hell,in
in Hell, humiliation!"
in humiliation!"
(a0:60)
(40:60)

and
and

"When My
"When servantsask
My servants concemingMe,
thee concerning
ask thee Me, II am
am
(tothem):
close(to
indeedclose
indeed to the
listento
them):II listen prayerof
theprayer of every
every
suppliant
supptiantwhenhe
when callethon
he calleth on Me." (2:186)
Me." (2:186)
ItItisisclear theabove
fromthe
clearfrom aboveverses thehuman
thatthe
versesthat beings
humanbeings

17
17
 andJlnns
and Jinnehave
havebeen
beencreated
createdby by Allah
Allahinin order
orderto
to worship
worship
Hlm and
Him and He He has
has ordained
ordainedthat
that none
non6 other than
other than He He be
be
worshlpped.The
worshipped. The Dlvlne Commandmenthas b€€n con·
Divine Commandment has been con-
veyedIn
veyed ln the
the Holy
HolyOuran throughthe
Quranthrough the Prophets (peacebe
Prophets(peace be
uponthem)
upon them)that peopleshould
thatpeople shouldworship
worshtpthethe One
Oneand
andOnly
Only
Allahand
Allah that invoca~on
and that Invocatlonto to Allah
Allahisls an
an Important
lmportantform
form of
ot
worghlp;whoever
worship; whoeverIs lstoo
tooarrogant
arogantto this
to offerthls worshlpshall
offer worship shall
be
be doomed
doomedto to the
th6fire
flre of
of Hell.
Hell.Allah
Altahalso
alsosays
says in
in the
the Holy
Holy
that:
Quranthat:
Ouran
"When My
"When My servants
servantsask
ask thee
thee concerning
concemingMe,Me, II am
am
Indeedclose
indeed (to them):
close(to them):II listen
llstento
to the prayerof
the prayer of every
every
suppllantwhen
suppliant when hehe calleth
callethonon Me," (2:186)
Me." (2:186)
Hence,Itit Is
Hence, is aa dUty
dutyononall
allthe worshippers
the worshippers to invokeAllah
to invoke Allah
the One
the Oneand
andOnly OnlyGod
Godbecause
becausesuch
suchinvocation
invocafionIsls a form
form
of worship
of worshlpfor
forwhich
whlchthey
theyhave
havebeen
beencreated
createdand
andcomman-
comman-
ded to
ded to act
act upon.
upon. The
The Holy
Holy Ouran
Quran says:
says:
'Truly
"Say: 'Truly my prayerand
my prayer
"Say: and mymy service
serviceol of sacrifice,
sacrifice, my
my
life anddeath,
llfeand death, areallfor
are all for (Allah),
(Allah), theCherlsher
the Cherlsher of
of
the Worlds:' 'No partnerhath
Worlds:''No partner
the hath He;
He; thus
thus amam I
commanded,and
commanded, and I am
am the
the first
first of those
those who
who bow
bow
lo His
to His Will.' (6:162,163).
Will.'(6:162,163).
Allah has ordered
Allah has ordered His Prophet (peace
His Prophet (peace bebe upon
upon him)
him) to
inform
inform lhe people
the people that his prayer
that his prayer and
and service
service of sacrifice
sacrifice
and life
and life and
and death
death are all for
are afl for Allah,
Allah, the
the Lord
Lord of all
all creations
creations
who has
who has no partner.The
no partner. The phrase,
'service sacrifice' here
phrase, 'service of sacrifice'here
refers
refers to the
the offering
offering of animal
animal as sacrifice;
sacrifice; so if anyone
anyone
offers a sacrifice
offers sacrifice to other than Allah, he then
other than Allah, he then commits
commits an an
act of "Shirk",
act "Shirk", that
that is associating
associating someone else with
someone else with Allah;
Allah;

1
188
 would be
It would be like
like praying
praying to someone
someone else else other than Allah
other than Allah
because
because prayor
prayer and sacrifice
andsacrificehave have equal
equal importance
importance in the
the
Divine estimation
Divine estimation and they are to be for Attah
and they Allah the One
One and and
God.: If anyone
Only God.:lf
Only sacrifice to other
offers a sacrifice
anyone offers than Allah
other than Allah
such as
such as the
the Jinns,
Jinns, the
the Angels, and the
Angels, and the Dead
Dead and others in
and others
an attompt
an attempt to seek nearness to thom,
seek neam€ss them, thon he is like
then he like a
person
porsonwho who prays
prays to other than Allah.
other than Allah. The Prophet (poaco
The Prophet (peace
be
be upon
upon him)him) has, as por
has, as per an authentic Tradition
an authentic Tradition said:said:
"Curse
"Curseof be upon
Allah be
of Allah those who
uponthos€ who offer sacrifice to other
offer sacrifice other
than
thanAllah."
Allah." Imam Ahmad has,
lmamAhmad on the
has, on authority of Tariq
the authority Tariq bin bin
Shihab
Shihabnarrated
narated that Prophet (p€ac€
the Prophet
that the (peace be him) had
upon him)
be upon had
said: "Two men
said: "Two passedby
men passed peoplewho
by a people who had
had an idol to
an idol
which an offeringhad be
which an offering had to
to be made
made by
by whoever
whoever passed
passed by
by
that idol.
that idol.TheThe people
people askedone of the
asked one of the two
two p€rsons
persons to give
give
some offering,he
someoffering, he said, he had
that he
said,that nothingto
had nothing offer; they
to offer; they
told
toldhim
himthatthathehemay
mayoffer anything,
offeranything, even fly; so th€
smattfly;so
evena small the
man gaveaa fly
mangave fly as
as an otferingand
an offering and he he was allowodto
wasallowed pass.
to pass.
But
But his
his doom
doomwas was the fire of
the fire Hell.
of Hell.
Thesecond
The personwas
secondperson alsoasked
wasalso askedto to do accordinglybut
do accordingly but
p€rsonrefused
that person
that refusedby atfirmingthat
by affirming that he
he will
will not give as
not give as
otferingto
offering to anyone otherthan
anyoneother Allah.On
than Allah. his refusal.
On his those
refusal,those
peoplecut
people histhroat
cuthis throatand
andkilled him,but
killedhim, hisultiamte
buthis abode
ultiamteabode
was Paradise."lt can be
was Paradise." It can be noled
noted from
from this
this narration
narration that
that
whoevergives
whoever givesan offeringto
an offering to an
an idol, thoughitit might
idol, though mightbebe
onlyaa fly,
only will be
fly, will associatingsomeone
be associating someoneelse elseas partnerto
as partner to
Allahand
Allah therefore
andtherefore punishment
dss€rvespunishment
deserves in Hell.So
in Hell. what
So what
to say
to sayof thosewho
of those invokethe
whoinvoke the Jinns, the Angels
Jinns,the Angelsand the
andthe
pious people,seeking
piouspeople, seeking their
their help,
help, offering
offering vows
vows to
to thom
them and
and
gainproximity
to gain
tryingto
trying proximitywith
withthem
themby givingsacrifices
by giving of
sacrificesof

t9
19
 animalsto
animals tothem.
them.The purposefor
Thepurpose forwhich
whichone
onedoes
doesthis
thisis
is to
to
protect his wealth
protect his wealthor cure his
or cure illnessor
his illness or the
the safety
safetyof of his
his
cattleand
cattle andhis fields;he
hisfields; he may
mayalso
alsododo that
thatout
outof
of fear
fearofof the
the
Jinns.Such
Jinns. peoplebecome
Suchpeople becomemore
more deserving
deservingof of torture
tortureinin
the Hell
the Hellthan
thanthat personwho
thatperson whokilled
killedaa fly
fly as
as an
an offering
offeringtoto
the idol.
the idol. The
The Holy
Holy Ouran
Quran says:
says:
"Verilyitit is
"Verily is We
We Who
Whohave
haverevealed
revealedthe
the Book
Booktoto thee
theeinin
Truth:so
Truth: soserve
serveAllah, offerlngHim
Allah, offering Hlmsincere devotion.
slnceredevotlon. Is
ls
ItItnot to Allah
notto Allahthat
thatsincere
slnceredevotion
devotlonIsls due?
due?But
Butthose
those
whotake
who takefor protectorsothers
for protectors thanAllah
othersthan (say):"We
Allah(say): "We
onlyserve
only servethem
themInInorder
orderthat
thatthey
theymay
maybring
brlngus
usnearer
nearer
to Allah
to TrulyAllah
AllahTruly Allah will
wlll Judge betweenthem
ludgebetween themIn In that
that
wherelnthey
wherein theydiffer.
dlffer.But
ButAllah
Allah guldes
guides not suchas are
not such as are
falseand
false andungrateful."
ungrateful." (39:2,3).
(39:2,3).
and
and
serve,besides
"Theyserve,
"They besldesAllah, thlngsthat
Allah,things that hurt
hurtthem
themnotnot
nor profltthem,and
norprofltthem, andthey
theysay:
say:"These
"Theseareare our Interces-
our Interces-
sors wlthAllah."
sorswith Allah."Say: "Do ye
Say:"Do ye Indeed
IndeedInform
InformAllah
Allah of
somethingHe
something He knows
knowsnot,
not, in
in the heavensor on
the heavens on garth?
earth?
-- Glory to Himl
Gloryto Himl and
and far
far is
is He
He above
abovethe partnersthey
the partners they
(to Him)."
ascribe(to
ascribe (10:18).
Him)." (10:18).
We learn
We from the
leam from the above
abovetwo
two verses that the polytheists
verses that polytheists
had taken
had taken in
in lieu
lieu of Allah.
Allah. some
some creations
creations as as their
their friends
friends
and protectors;they
andprotectors; they worshipped
worshipped them
them and
and invoked
invoked them
them in
awe and
awe and reverance
reveranceand and offered
offered sacrifioe
sacrifice and
and vows
vows under
under
the assumptionthat
the assumption. that those
those friends and protectors
friends and protectors act as
intercessorsand
intercessors and take
take them
them nearer
nearer to Allah.
Allah. Allah
Allah the
Almighty has
Almighty proved their
has proved their falsehood
falsehood and and hashas described
described

20
20
 them as
them as liars,
liars, infidels,
infidels,and polytheists;and
and polytheists; and Allah
Allah has
has
pre-eminently
pre-eminently transcendedabove
transcended abovethe cult of
the cuh of polytheism.
polytheism.
The Holy
The HolyOuran
Quranstates:
states:
"- Gloryto
"- Glory to Him!
Hlmland
andfar
farIs
lsHe
Heabove
abovethe partners
thepartners they
they
ascribe (to Him)!"
ascribe(to Him)|" (10:18).
(10:18).

ItItis
isthus
thusclear
clearthat
thatwhoever
whoevertakestakesaa king
kingor prophetor
or aa Prophet or
aa Jinn
Jinnor or aa stone
stoneor or aa tree
tree for
for the purposeof
the purpose of invocation
invocation
alongwith
along with Allah
Allahandand seeks
seekstheir
their help
help oror tries
tries toto gain
gain
neamessto
nearness to them
them by by offering
otferingvows
vows and
and sacrifices
sacrificesin the
in the
hop€ that they may intercede
hope that they may intercede with withAllah
Allahon on his
hisbehalf,
behalf,or or in
in
thehope
the hopeof geting cured
of getting curedfrom
fromsome illness,of
someillness, of safeguard-
safeguard-
ingof
ing wealthor
of wealth or safety
safetyfor personwho
for aa person whois is away
awayor or for
for any
any
other purpose,commits
other purpose, commitsthe the major
major crime
crime of "Shirk"
of "Shirk"
(associationism)
(associationism) regardingwhich
regarding whichAllah
Allah states:
states:
"Allahforgiveth
"Allah forgivethnot
not that partnersshould
that partners shouldbe set up
be set up
with Him;
with Him;but
but He
Heforgiveth
forgivethanything
anythingelse,
else,to whom
whom
He pleaseth;
Hepleaseth; to set
to set up partnerswith
up partners with Allah is to de.
Allah is de-
vise a sin most heinous indeed."(4:4g)
vise sin most heinous indeed." (4:48)
and
and
"Whoeverloins
"Whoever other gods
joins other gods with Allah, -- Allah
with Allah, Allah will
will
forbid him
forbid him The The Garden,
Garden, and and the
the Fire
Fire will be his
will be his
There will,
abode. There
abode. for the
will, for wrong-doers, be
the wrong-doers, be no one
one
h e l p . "((5:
ttoo help." 5 :72)
721
On
On thethe Day
Day of Judgement
JUdgement intercession
intercession will be granted
will be granted
only the people
only to the people who believe in the
who believe the on€n€ss
oneness of Allahand
Allahand
abide by
abide by it sincerely;
sincerely; it willwill not be granted
not be the polytheists
granted to the polytheists
as stated
stated by by the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace be upon
upon him),
him), when
when hehe

21
21
was asked
was asked about the people
about the people who who will fortunate to
be fortunate
will be to enioy
enjoy
his intercession,
his intercession, he said, "Whoever
he said, "Whoever sayssays with all sincerity
with all sincerity
of his
of his heart
heart that
that there
there is no god
is no but Allah
god but only;" The
Allah only;" The
Prophet also
Prophetalso said,said, "Every
"Every Prophet
Prophet has
has an
an invocation
invocation that
that
will be answered;and every Prophet
will be answered; and every Prophet hastened
hastened in
in his
his
invocation, but
invocation, invocation so
withheld my invocation
but I withheld that I may
so that may
intercede for
intercede for my people
people on the Day Day of Judgement:Allah
JudgementAllah
willing, my invocation
willing, invocation will also include
will also those of my nation
include those nation
who died without
who died without settingsetting up partners
partners to Allah."
Allah."
The polytheists
The polytheists of the early period
the early believed in Allah
period believed Allah as
their Lord, Creator,
their Lord, Creator, and and Sustainer
Sustainer but
but they
they relied
relied on
Prophets
Prophetsandand friends
friends and protectors, Angels, trees
and protectors, Angels, trees and and
stones, etc. in
stones,etc. in the hope of
the hope gainingtheir
of gaining intercession with
their intercession with
Allah and nearness
Allahand nearnessto to Him
Him as as said
said in verses quoted
the verses
in the quoted
above.
above.Allah
Allahdid
did not pardonthem
not pardon them nor the Prophet
nor the (peace
Prophet(peace
be upon
be upon him).
him). Indeed
Indeed Allah
Allah has
has renounced
renounced them
them and
and has
has
describedthem as infidelsand
described them as infidels and polytheists.
polytheists. Allah
Allah has
has also
also
disproved
disprovedtheir
their claim thatthose
claim that gods will
those gods will intercede
intercedefor for
them withAllah
themwith Allahand takethem
andtake nearerto
themnearer Him:the
to Him: Prophet
the Prophet
(peacebe
(peace be upon
uponhim) has fought
him) has them in
againstthem
battlesagainst
foughtbattles in
order
orderto
to make worshipAllah
themworship
rnakethem the One
Allahthe OneandandOnly Allah.
OnlyAllah.
In
ln doing
doing so,
so, the (p€ace be
Prophet(peace
the Prophet be upon
upon him) acted
him) acted
according
acoordingthe wish stated
Divinewish
tho Divine in the
statedin Holy Quran:
the Holy Ouran:
"And fight
"And fight them
them on there isis no
until there
on until more tumult
no more or
tumult or
oppression,
oppression,and prevail justice
thereprevail justice and
andthere faith inAllah
andfaith inAllah
altogether
altogetherandand everywhere." (8:39).
everywhere."(8:39).
And
Andthe (peacebe
Prophet(peace
the Prophet be upon
uponhim) said:'""l have
hassaid:
him)has have
been tofight
orderedto
beenordered peopleuntil
fightpeople theywitness
untilthey witnessthat thereisis
thatthere

22
nonogodgodexcept
exoeptAllah
Allahand
andthat
thatMuhammad
Muhammad isisthe prophetof
theProphet of
Allahand
Allah performthe
andperlorm prayers,give
theprayers, glvethe
the ,,Zekat"
"lakat" (poor
(poortax);
tax);
Ifllthey
theydo
doso,
so,they
theyshall
shallenjoy
enfoysafety
safetyfrom
fromme meintntheir
itretrJives
ilves
and wealth excoptIninwhat
and wealth except whatisisdue
duetotoIslam
lslamandandtheythoyshall
shallbe
bo
answerable
answerable to Allah."
to Allah."The
Themeaning
meanlngof of the ,,until
phrase"until
thephrase
theywitness
they witnegsthatthatthere
thereisis no godexcept
no god exceptAllah"Allah" In in this
thls
saylngof
saying of the
the Prophet
ProphetIsis that
that they
theyshould
should worshipAllah
worship Ailah
Onlyand
Only andexclusively.
exclusively.The polytheistswere
The polytheists were afraid
afraidof of the
the
Jinns and tookrefuge
Jinns and took refugeininthem.
them.In
Inthis
thiscontext,
context,Allah
Allahsays
saysin in
the Holy
the HolyOuran:
Quran:

"True, there
"True, there were peopleamong
were people among mankind
mankindwhowho took
took
shelterwith
shelter with the personsamong
the persons amongthethe Jinns,
Jinns, but
but they
they
increasedthem
increased them in
in folly." (72:61.
folly." (72:6).
The commentators
The commentators of the
of the Holy
HolyOuran
euran have
have interpreted
interpreted
th€words
the "increasedthem
words"increased themin in folly"
folly" as
as their
theirbeing
beingstruck
struck
withfear
with fearand panicbecause
andpanic becausethe theJinns
Jinnsfeel highand
feel high and mighty
mighty
whenthey
when they see
see human
humanbeings
beingsseeking
seekingrefuge
refugeinin them
them and
and
so they
so they make
make themselves (that is the
themselves(that Jinns) a greater
the Jinns) greater
sourceof
source of fear and panic
fear and panic so that
that these
these human
human beings
beings may
may
increasinglyworship
increasingly worship them
them and
and seek
seek refuge
refuge in them.
them. But
But
Allah has guided the Muslims to
Allah has guided the Muslims seek seek refuge
refuge in Him
Him and
and in
His complete
His complete words.
words. Allah
Allah says:
says:
"lf
"If a
a suggestion
suggestion from
from Satan
Satan assail,
assail, they
they seek
seek refuge
refuge with
with
Allah;
Allah; for
for He
He heareth
heareth and
and knoweth
knoweth (ail(all things).',
things)."
(7:2oo).
(7:200).
and
and
"Say:
"Say: II seek
seek refuge
refuge with
with the
the Lord of the
Lord of Dawn." (1
the Dawn." 13:1)
(113:1)

23
 and
and
"Say: II seek
"Say: seek refuge
refuge with Lord and
the Lord
with the Cherisher of
and Cherisher of
Mankind." (114:1)
Mankind." (114:1)
It is
It is narrated
narrated in in an
an authentic tradition that
authentic tradition the Prophet
that the Prophet
(peace be upon
(peace upon him)him) has said, "Whoever
has said, "Whoever alights at aa place
alights at place
and says, 'l'I seek
seek refuge
refuge in the
the complete
complete words
words of
of Allah
Allah
and says,
from the evil
from the evil that that He has
has created'will
created' will not be affected
affected by
by
any harm
any harm until
until his departure from
his departure that place."
from that place."
The person
The safety and
seeking safety
person seeking and protection
protection of his religion
religion
and who
and who wishes
wishes to be away from
be away from "Shirk" (polytheism) in
(polytheism) in its
its
major
major and forms will
minor forms
and minor understand from
will understand from the the above
above
quotedverses
quoted vorsesfromfrom thethe Holy Ouran and
Holy Quran Sayings of the
and Sayings the
Prophet
Prophet (p€ace
(peace be
be upon
upon him)
him) that
that devotion
devotion to the
the dead
dead and
and
Angels,
Angels,Jinns,Jinns, etc. invocationto them
and invocation
etc. and them is an an act
act of
imitation
imitationof of the pagans
the pagans and and polytheists and is the worst
polytheists and it is the worst
form
form of "shirk". Itlt is
of "shirk". is therefore boundenduty
thereforea bounden duty thatthat they
they
keep
keep awayaway from actions and
such actions
from such advise their
also advise
and also their
brethren
brethrenregarding
regardingit. Relationshipsof
it. Relationships marriageis
of marriage not
is not
admissible
admissible with
with those
those people
people who
who are
are known
known to
to indulge
indulge in
in
polytheisticactions;
polytheistic actions; it
it is
is also
also not
not permissible
permissible to
to eat
eat from
from
their
ttriir offerings
otferingsnornor to pray for
to pray them or
for them or behind
bohindthem until
them until
they
theyrepent
repentto to Allah
Allahthe Almightyand
the Almighty invokeand
andinvoke worship
andworship
Allah
Atlahonly. Invocation(Dua)
only. Invocation (Dua)is worship;itit is
is worship; indeedthe
is indeed the
essence
essenoe of worship.The
ofworship. TheProphet (peacebe
Prophet(peace beupon
uponhim) him)hashas
said,
said,"Dua"Duaisis worship"
worship"and accordingto
andaccording anotherversion
to another version
"Dua isis the
"Dua core and
the core essence of worship."
and essence of worship." Allah the Allah the
Almightysays:
Almighty says:
"Donot
"00 notmarry unbelieving
marryunbelieving women (idolaters)'until
women(idolaters), untilthey
they

24
24
 believe: aa slave
believe: slave woman
woman who believes is
who believes is better than an
better than an
unbelieving woman,
unbelieving woman, even
even though
though she allures yor.
she allures you. Nor
Nor
marry (your
marry (your girls)
girls) to
to unbelievers until they
unbelievers until believe: aa
they bolieve:
man slave who believes
man slavewho believes better is better than
than an
an unbeliever,
unbeliever,
even though
even allures you.
though he allures Unbelievers do
you. Unbelievers do (but)
(but)
beckon you to the Fire.
beckon Fire. But Allah beckons by
Allah beckons by His
His
Grace
Grace to the
the Garden
Garden (of
(of Bliss)
Bliss) and
and forglveness'
forgiveness.
and makes
and makes His His Signs
Signs clear mankind: that they
clear to manklnd: they
may celebrate His
may celebrate His praise."
praise." (22221),
(2:221).
Allah has
Allah has forbidden
forbidden Muslims
Muslims from marrying unbelieving
from marrying unbelieving
women;
womon;such women who
suchwomen worship idols,
who worship idols, Jinns and Angels
Jinns and Angels
etc.;
etc.; marriage
marriage is is permissible with them
permissible with only if they
them only they
sincerely believein
sincerelybelieve and worship
in and Allah, the
worship Allah, the One and Only
One and Only
Allah
Allahand
and accept
accopt the
the message conveyed by the Prophet
mossageconveyed Prophet
(peacobe
(peace be upon
upon him)
him) and proceedon the
and proceed the path shown by
path shown by
him. Allah has also forbidden
him. Allah has also forbidden the
the maniage
marriage of Muslim
Muslim
women
wornento to unbelievers
unbelieversuntil they sincerely
untilthey sincerelybelieve in Allah
believein Allah
and
and worship
worshipHimHim only and accept
only and the message
acceptthe messageconveyed
conveyed
by
by the
the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace upon him).
be upon The Holy
him). The Holy Quran
Quran
states
states that:
that:
••A
"A slave
slave woman
woman who
who believes is better
believes is better than an
than an
unbelieving wotran, even
unbelievingwoman, even though she allures
tho.rghshe yotr."
alluresyou."
and
and that
that aa man who believes
slave who
man slave is better
believes is than an
better than an
unbeliever,
unbeliever, even heallures
thoughhe
eventhough you,with
alluresyou, hiseloquence
withhis eloquence
of
of speech, courageand
speech,courage and chivalry,
chivalry,etc. has then
Allah has
etc. Allah then
explained
explainedthe the causes for this
causes for preference over them
this preference over them by by
saying that they
saying that you to
beckon you
they beckon to the Fire because
the Fire becausetheythey
belongto
belong to the Firethrough
the Fire throughtheir words,actions,
theirwords, manners,
actions,manners,

25
25
conductand
conduct and character.
character.As As regards
rogardsthe belleven-- men
the believers men
ard women
and -
women- they they areare the
the ones
onegwho
who beckon
beckonyouyou toto the
the
Paradlgethrough
Paradise through theirthelr character,
character,conduct,
conduc,t,words
worda and and
deeds.So,
deeds. So, how
howcould
couldthethe former
lormerbebe equal
egualto the latter?
to the latter?
Andwith
And regardto
withregard to the
thehypocrites
hypocrltesAllah
Allahthe
thoAlmighty
Almightysays:
sap:
"Nor do
"Nor do thou
thou ever pray for
evgr pray for any
any of them that
of them that dies,
dles, nor
nor
standat
8tand grave;for
hls gravej
at his for they
they rejected
relectedAllah
Allahand
andHis
Hts
Messanger,and
Me88enger, and died
dled In gtate of
In aa state perversereo
of perverse re.
(9:84)
belllon."(9:84)
belllon."
In the
In the above
aboveverse,vors€, Allah
Alfah thethe Almighty
Almightyhas has stated
statod that
that
one should
one should notnot offer prayere to
offer prayers to the
the hypocrite
hypocrlte andand the
the
unbelieverbecause
unbeliever becauseof of their
their disbelief
disbeliefIn In Allah
Aflahand
and in
in His
His
Proph4.One
Proph~. shouldalso
One should alsonot praybehind
not pray behindthem
themnor make
nor make
them as
them as the
the Imams
lmamsof of Muslims
Musllmsdue due to thoir disbelief
to their dlsbeliefand
and
untnrstworthiness
untrustworthiness and also
and also due
due to to the great animosity
the great animosity
betweenthem
between themand andthethe Muslims;
Muslims;yet yet another
anotherreason
reaEonis is that
that
they are
they not from
are not from the peoplewho
the people prayand
who pray and worshipAllah;
worshipAllah;
heresy and
heresy polytheismobliterate
and polytheism obliterateall all actions.
ac{ions.May Allah
May Allah
guard
guard us from
us from such
suchactions. Allah,the
actions.Allah, the Almighty
Almightysays
saysinin the
the
contextof forbidding
context forbiddingMuslims
Muslimsfrom from eating
eatingthethe offerings
offeringsof of
the unbelieversand
the unbelievers and dead
dead animals,
animals,
"Eat not
"Eat (meats)on
not of (meats) on whlch
which Allah's
Allah's name
namehathhath not
not
been pronounced:that
been pronounced: that would
would be be lmplety.
Impiety. But the
But the
evil
evil ones
ones ever inspiretheir
ever inspire their frlends
friends to contend
contend with
with
you
you lfIf ye
ye were
were to obey obey themthem ye ye would
would Indeed
Indeed be be
P a g a n s .((6:121).
Pagans." "6 : 1 2 1 ) .
Allah,
Allah, the
the Almighty
Almighty has has forbiddon
forbidden the the Muslims
Muslims fromfrom
eating
eating dead
dead animals
animals and and thethe animals
animals sacrificed
sacrificed by
by the
the
unbelievers
unbelievers because
because the sacrifices given
the sacrifices given by them
them are
are inin

26
the
the category
categoryof
of dead
deadanimals, althoughthe
animals,although name of Allah
the name Allah
may
maybe be mentioned;
mentioned;but
but such
suchmentioning will have
mentioningwill have no
no effeci
effect
for
for the ihat it is an
reascn that
the reascn marred by belief
invocationmaned
an invocation belief in
po$heism; so
polytheism; cannot be
so it cannot be accepted until the polytheist
accepteduntil polytheist
repents
ropentstoto Allah. Allah has
Allah.Allah permittedthe
has permitted consumption of
the consumption
food offered
food by the
offered by people of the
the people Book;
the Book;
"The food
"The food of
of the
the People
Peopleof the Book is lawful
the Book unto yot
lawful unto you
and yours is
and yours lawful unto
is lawful unto them." (5:5).
them." (5:5).
is lawful
ItIt is lawfulbecause
becausethe the People
Peopleof thethe Book
Book belong
belongloto a
heavenlyreligion
heavenly religionandand claim
claim to be the followers
be the lollowers of Moses
Moees
and
and Jesus ahhoughthis
Jesus although this isis a false
false claim. Allah has
claim. Allah has
abrogatedtheir
abrogated religionand
thoirreligion andannulled
annulledit byby sending-Muham-
sendir€{tluham-
mad(peace
mad (peacebe be upon
uponhim)him)as as Messenger
Messengerto all allthe peoples.
the peoples.
Horvever,
However, Allahthe
Allah theAlmighty
Almightyhas permittedus
haspermitted us to accept
accept the
the
food of the People the Book and many their women.
food of the People of the Book and to marry their women.
The divine
The divine sanction
sanction in in this regard is due
this regard due to csrtain
certain
considerations
considerations that have
that havebeen beenexplained
explainedby by the Scholars.
the SCholars.
But such
But sanctionhas
such aa sanction has notnot been grantedwith
been granted with regard
regardto
unbelieversand
the unbelievers
the and the polytheistswho
the polytheists who worship idols,
worship idots,
dead
dead people,
people, Prophets,
Prophets, friends
friends and
and protectors
protectors and
and othors
others
becausewhatever
because faith they
whateverfaith professis
they profess not based
is not based on any
on any
principle. In
principle. fact, all
In fact, profes.sionsof faith
their professions
all their faith are total
are total
falsehoods;therefore,
falsehoods; therefore,the the animals
animalsslaughtered
slaughteredby them
by them
are dead
are animals and
dead animals eating of
ard eating is not
ol it is permissible.
rtot permissible.
As regards
As phrasesused
regardsphrases used by people at
by people at times
times of anger
anger
such as
such "May the
as "May tho Jinn
Jinn strike you"; "May
strike you"; "May thethe Jinn taka
Jinn take
yorl"; and
you"; "Maythe
and"May theJinn
Jinnfly
fly away
awaywith you" are
withyou" phrasesof
arophrases
abusethat
abuse thatare
arenot permissiblefor
notpermissible for the
the Muslims
Muslimslike all other
likeall other
phrases
phrases ofof abuse
abuse and
and curse,
curse, etc. This is not
etc. This is not connected
connected

27
with po$heism.
with However, if the p€rson
polytheism. However, uttering such
person uttering such
believes that the Jinns
words believes
trror& sway over the affairs
have a s:way
Jinns have affairs
of the people the permission
without the
people without permission of Allah and His
Allah and His will'
will,
he will be an unbeliever because
ho will be an unbelieverbecause Allah
Allah the
the Almighty
Almighty is tho
the
Supreme Disposer ol
and Disposer
Possessor and
Supreme Possessor of everything;
everything; it is He
He
bestows good
who bestows
who good or Gaus€s harm; nothing
causes harm; exists withoul
nothing exists without
His permission,
His permission, HisHis will and His
will and pre-destined plan;
His pre'destined plan; Allah
Allah
has ordered
has ordered His
His Prophet
Prophet to convey
convey to the people:
people:

"say: 'I'l have

"Say: haveno polfor ovor
no power any good
over any good or harm myself
harmto myself
except as
except Allah wllleth.
as Allah lf I had
wllleth. If knowledgeof the
had knowledge the
unsoen,I should
unseen, have multiplied
should have all good,
multipliedall good, and no evif
and no evil
have touched
should have
should touched me:me: I am but a wamer,
am but and a
warner, and
bringer of
bringer glad tidings to
of glad tidings to those
thce who
who have faith."'
have faith.'"
(7:188).
(7:188).
Iflf the leader of
the leader all mankind
of all mankindandand the
the best
b€st of them, our
of them, our
(peace
Prophet(peace be
Prophet be upon him) does
upon him) does not possess
not possess any good
any good
nor any
nor harm for
any harm for himself
himselfexcept
exceptwhat
what is willed by
is willed Allah,
by Allah,
how could
how could any
any other
other human
human being
being do
do so? There are
so? There are
numerous verses in
numerousverses in the Holy Curan
the Holy Quran inin this
this context.
context.
regards, consulting
As regards,
As consultingthe the Soothsayers,
Soothsayers,Magicians,
Magicians,
Astrologers
Astrologersand otharsof
and others tribewho
theirtribe
of their whotry
try to predictthe
to predict the
unknown,itit is
unknown, reprehensibleact;
is aa reprehensible act; toto believe
believein in them
them isis
more
more reprehensible
reprehensible and
and objectionable
objectionable and
and it
it is
is a
a form
form of
of
blasphemy
blasphemybecause
becausethe the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon
uponhim) has
him)has
said,
said,"The prayersof
"The prayers personwho
of aa person who consults Soothsayer
consultsaa Soothsayer
about
about anything,
anything,will not be
will not acceptedfor
be accepted for forty
forty days"
days"
(nanatedin
(narrated in the
theSahih
Sahihof Muslim);it
of Muslim); is also
it is nanatedon
alsonarrated onthe
th€
authority
authorityof
of Muawiyah
Muawiyahibn ibn AI-Hakam
Al-HakamAs-Salami
As-Salamithat the
that the

28
28
Prophet (p€ace
Prophet (peace be be upon
upon him)him) prohibited consultation with
prohibited consultation with
Soothsayers. lt
Soothsayers. narrated - as transmitted
It is narrated transmitted by the compil- compil-
AI-Sunan - that
ers of Al-Sunan
ers Prophet (peace
that the Prophel (peace be upon upon him)
him)
said,
said, "He who believes
who believes in what
what a Soothsayer
Soothsayer says
says
becomes
becomes an unbeliever in what
an unbeliever what has has beenbeen revealed
revealed to
Muhammad(peace
Muhammad (peace be be uport him)." There
upon him)." There are are several
several
Sayings
Sayingsof the the Prophet
Prophet in this context. Muslims
this context. Muslims therefore,
therefore,
should
shouldbe be on their guard
on their guard against Soothsayers, Sorcerers
against Soothsayers, Sorcerers
and Witchdoctors
and Witchdoctors claim who
who claim knowledge
knowledge of the
the unseen
unseen and
and
deceiveMuslimsonthe
deceive Muslims on the pretext
pretext of medicaltreatment any
medical treatment or any
other
other excuse.
excuse.Muslims
Muslimsshould beware ol
should beware of sueh people
su~h people as
forbidden
forbiddenand and cautioned
cautionedby by the Prophet(peace
the Prophet (peace be be upon
upon
him).In
him). In this
this category,
category,is is also includedlhe
also includec claims of some
the claims some
p€ople of
people of knowledge
knowledgeof of the unseen in the
the unseen the name
name of
medicine;
medicine; they
they claim
claim knowledge
knowledge of
of the
the condition
condition of a sick
sick
p€rson by smellinghis tuban or
person by smelling his tu!'ban or the
the veil
veil in
in case
case of a
woman
woman and and so so on.on. In fact, such
In fact, people
such people seek only to
se€k only to
deceive
deceiveand and confuse
confusethe mindsof
the minds the innocent
of the innocentpeoplepeopleso so
that
that they describe him
they describe him as person well-informed
as a person well-informedin in
medicine
medicineand and in in treating
treatingof of illnesses;
illnesses;such personmay
such a person may
dispense
dispensesome medicinewhich
somemedicine whichmay perhapscure
mayperhaps curethethe sick
sick
p€rson;the
person; thecure
cureis isby theWill
bythe Willof Allah - but the sidy'person
of Allah - but the Sick'Person
believes
believesthat
thathe wascured
he was curedbecause
becausoof medicine.Itlt is
that medicine.
ol that is
quite possiblethat
quite possible the illness
that the illnessis is caused
causedby by some
some of of the
the
Jinns andevil
Jinnsand evilspirits whichare
spiritswhich areininthe employof
theemploy of that person
thatperson
who
whoclaims himselfthe
claimshimself knowledgeof
the knowledge medicine,and
of medicine, ard they
they
providehim
provide him wilh
with knowledge
knowledge of
of tho
the uns€€n
unseen which
which they
they are
are
able percaive.On
to perceive.
able to On thethe basis
basis of knowledge
that knowledge the
ol that the
performscertain
impostorperforms
impostor worshipsin
certainworships in order
orderto please
to please the the
andthe
Jinnsand
Jinns the evil
evil spirits
spiritsso thatthey
so that they may withdrawfrom
maywithdraw from

29
29
 thosick
the persons.
sickpersons. But
Butthey
theyinvariably
invariablyleave
leavebehind
behindcertain
certain
harmfuleffects.
harmful effects.This
Thisisis something
something well
wellknown
knownaboutthe
about the
Jinnsand
Jinns and evil
evil spirits and those who employthem.
spirits and those who employ them.
ItIt isis therefore,
therefore, the duty
the dutyof of the
the Muslims
Muslimsto to bebe on
on fleir
t|leir
guardagainst
guard againstthe the above
aboveand and they
they should
should adviseeach
advise each
otherto
other toabstain
abstainfromfromsuch
suchbeliefs
beliefsand practicesand
andpractices andto to rely
rely
and depend
and depend on Allah on Allahonly
onlyononall allmatters.
matters.However,
However,itit is is not
not
objectionable
objectionable to use
to "ruqya" (recitation
use "ruqya" (recitationof
ol some
some Divine
Divine
vgrsesas
verses as aa treatment
treatmentfor for aa disease)
disease)and and the permissible
the permissible
medicinesand
medicines andtreatment
treatmenlgivengivenby by doctorson the basis
doctors on the basisof ol
physical examinationand
physical examination and ascertainment
ascertainmentof ol the physical
the physical
andmental
and mentalcauses
causosof of the
the illness.
illness.The prophet(peace
The Prophet (peacebe be
upon him)
upon him) has
has said: "Allah has
said: "Allah has created
createdno no disease
diseasefor for
whichthere
which there isis no
no treatment;
treatrnent;thosethose who
who have
have studied
studiedit, it,
knowitit and
know andthose
thosewho who have
haveignored
ignoreditit do
do not
not know
know He it."
it." He
has also
has also said: "Every disease
said: ..Every diseasehas has a medicine
medicineand and if the the
right medicine
right medicine is is chosen
chosenfor for thethe disease,
disease,the sick person
the sick person
willbe
will cured,Allahwilling."
be cured, Allah willing. " and and "0"O Servants
Servantsof of Allah,
Allah, take
take
medicinesbut
medicines but dodo not
not take
take medicines
medicinesthatthat are
are forbidden."
forbidden."
There are
There are many
many such such sayings
sayings of the the Prophet
Prophet on on thisthis
subject.We
subject. prayto
We pray to Allah,
AUah, thethe Almighty
Almighty to
to reform
reform all all of usus
Muslims
Muslims and and toto cure
cure our
our minds
minds and and bodies
bodies from
from allall evils.
evils.
MayHe
May He guide
guide us
us afl
all to th€ right path
the right and protecl
path and protect us
us from
from
eviltemptations and from obedienco
evil temptations and from obedience to the the Satan and its
Satan and
frionds and protectors.
friends and protectors. Verily,
Verily, Atlah
Allah has supreme power
has supreme power
over
over everything;
everything; there no power
there is no power nor
nor any
any strength
strength except
except
with
with Allah,
Allah, the
the All
All Knowing; and peace
Knowing; and and blessings
peace and blessings be
upon
upon the
the Prophet
Prophet of Allah and his
Allah and his family
family members
members andand
Companions.
Companions.

30
In
ln the
the Name
Nameof Nlah, Most
ol Allah, MostGracious, MostMerciful
Gracious,Most Merciful

THETHIRD
THE THIRDESSAY
ESSAY

From Abdul
From Abdul Aziz |aiz bin
bin Abdullah
Abdullah bin Baz to
bin Baz
Mr
Mr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . ,
May
May Allah granl
Allah grant him him success
su@essin in everything good. Amen.
everythinggood. Amen.
May Peace,
May Peace,Mercy Mercyand Blessingsof
and Blessings Allah be
of Allah upon you.
be upon you.
II am
amin in receipt
receiptof yourletter
of your regardingcertain
letterregarding certainworship
worships at
speciliedtimes
specified times ofof the
the day
day oror night practisedprivately
nighl practised privately by
by
Muslimsof
Muslims yourcountry.
ol your country.These
Theseare prayersto which
are prayers which Allah
Allah
has not
has granted any
not granted powoq among
any power, among these prayera are
these prayers are
thosethat
those havebeen
that have introducedas
beenintroduced innovationsand
as innovations and thoso
those
that are
that polytheistac;they
are polytheistic; they attribute
attdbule such prayors to the
suci prayers the
commanderof
commander of the Faithful,Ali
the Faithful, ibn Abi
Ali ibn AbiTalib and to others.
Talib and others.
They recite
They recite these prayers in
these prayers in congregations
congregations of 'Akr'
ol 'Zikr'
(remembrance
(remembrance ofAllah)or
ofAllah) in the
or in theMosques
Mosquesafterthe'Magrib'
altertha'Magdb'
(sunset)prayers
(sunset) prayersin in the
the belief
beliefthat
that such prayerswill
sucfi prayers will take
take
them nearer
them nearer to to Allah.
Allah. During
During these prayers,they
theso prayers, they utter
utter
phrasessuch
phrases suchas, 'O men
as, '0 menof Allah,Help
of Allah, Helpus withthe
us with the Help
Helpof
Allah and
Allah and be be of
of succour
succourto to us.'
us.' They
They also
also say,
say, "0"O you
you
leadersof
leaders authority,0O you
of authority, you masters. pleaserespond
maslers,please respondto our our
prayers,0O you
prayers, youwho possessall
who possess pleaseintercede
help;please
all help; intercedewith
with
Allahon
Allah on behalf
behalfof thisslave
of this slavewhowhois pleadingto
is pleading you at your
to you your
door,seized
door, seized by
by the
the fear
fear of
of his
his failings;
failings; help
help us
us 0O Prophet
Prophet of
Allah;Ildo
Allah; haveanyone
not have
do not anyoneelse whomI can
els€to whom plead;
can plead; it is
youthrough
you throughwhomwhomour our wishes
wishescan can bebe fulfilled; you are
fullilled;you are the
the
best of
best Peopleof
the People
of the of Allah like Hamza,
Allah like Hamza,the leaderof all
the leader all
martyrs;no
martyrs; no one
one other thanyou
otherthan you can helpus;
can help us;O Prophetof
0 Prophet

31
 Allah,come
Allah, cometotoour
ourhelp.
help.They
Theyalso
alsosay,
say,0OAllah,
Allah,bless
blessthe
the
one youhave
oneyou havemade
madeas asaameans
meansfor
forrevealing
revealingyour
yourmighty
mighty
socrotsand
secrets yourdivine
andyour divinelight;
light;he
hebecame
becameaatrue
truevicegerent
vicegerent
andinheritor
and inheritorof
of all
all Your
YourTruth.
Truth.
Youhad
You hadalso
alsodesired
desiredtoto know yourletter
knowinin your letterregarding
regarding
'Bid'ah' (lnnovation)and polytheism.
polytheism. you
'Bid'ah' (Innovation) and You had
hadwanted
wantedtoto
knowwhether
know whetheritit will
will be
be correct
oorreclto praybehind
to pray behindthe
the Imam
lmam
who makes
who makessuch
such invocations.
invocations.
In this
In this connection,
connection, II would
wouldlike
like to
to state
statethe
the following:-
following:-
Praisebe
Praise toAllah
beto AllahAlone
Aloneand peaceand
andpeace andblessings
blessingson
on the
the
Prophet -
Prophet - theth€last
lastof
of all
all Prophets -
Prophets- and
andon on the
theMembers
Membersof of
hisFamily,
his Family,his his Companions
Companions and all
and thosewho
all those who shall
shalluntil
until
theDay
the Dayofof Judgement, proceedon
Judgement,proceed on the
the right pathshown
rightpath shownbyby
him.
him.

Verily,Allah,
Verily, Allah,the
the Almighty
Almightycreated
createdthe
the mankind
mankind and
and sent
sent
the Messengers
the Messengers(peace
(peacebebe upon
uponthem)
them) inin order
order that
that He
He
Alone be worshipped.
Alone be worshipped. Allah
Allah states
states in
in the
the Holy
Holy euran:
Quran:
"l have
"I haveonfy
only created
created Jinns
Jinns and
and men,
men, that
that they
they may
may serve
serve
Me." (51:56)
Me." (51 :56)
To
To worship
worship means
means to obey
obey the
the Almighty
Almighty and the prophet
and the Prophet
(p6ace
(peace be upon
upon him)
him) by carrying
carryingoutout what
what Allah
Allah and
and His
His
Prophet have
Prophet have ordered
ordered us to to do
do and
and by
by abstaining
abstaining from
from
what
what they
they have
have forbidden
forbidden us toto do.
do. We
We carry
carry out
out these
these
aqtions
actions with
with faith,
faith, humility
humility and
and sincere
sincere devotion
devotion to
to Allah
Allah
and
and His
His Prophei
Prophet (peace
(peace be
be upon
upon him).
him). The
The Holy
Holy euran
Quran
states:
states:

32
32
 "Thy
"Thy Lord
lord hath
hath decreed that ye worship
decreed that worship none
none but
but Him."
Him."
(17:23)
(17:23)

In
In other words, He
other words, has
He has ordained that
ordained that He
He alone
alone be
be
worshipped. Allah says
worshipped.Allah says inin the Holy Ouran:
the Holy Quran:
"Praise
"Pralssbe
bs to Allah,
Allah, the Cherlsher and
the Gherlsher and Sustalner
Sustalner of
the
the Worlds; Most Graclous,
Worlds;Most Most Merclful;
Gracious, Most Merciful; Master
Master
of the Day of the
the Day Judgemont.Thes
tho Judgement. we worshlp
Thee do we worship
and
andThine
Thlneaid
aldwe
we seek." (1:2-5).
seek."(1 :2-5).
These
Theseverses
versesmake
makeit amply
amplyclear that Allah
clearthat Alone is lo
Allah Alone to be
be
worshipped
worshipped and
and His
Hishelp
helpalone is to
aloneis to b€ sought. Allah
be sought. Allah also
also
says:
says:
"So serve
"So servsAllah,
Allah,offering
offerlngHim slnceredevotion.
Hlmsincere devotlon.Is lt
ls It
not to
not Allahthat
to Allah thatsincere devotlonIs
slnceredevotion ls due?" (39:2-3)
due?" (39:2-3)

and
and
"Callye,
"Call then,upon
ye, then, uponAllah
Allahwith
wlthsincere
slnceredevotlon
devotion to Him,
to Hlm,
eventhough
even thoughthetheUnbelievers
Unbellevers maydetest
may detestIt." (40:14).
lt." (40:14).
and
and
placesof
theplaces
"Andthe
"And of worship
worshlpare
arafor
lor Allah
Allah(Alone):
(Alone):so
so
invoke not anyone
invokenot anyonealong
alongwith Allah;" (72:18).
withAllah;" (72:18).
There are
There are several verses in
severalverses in the Holy Ouran
the Holy Quran in this
in this
cont€xt
context pointing
pointing out
out the
the necessity
necessity and
and the
the duty
duty to
to worship
worship
Allahalone.
Allah lnvocation,
alone.Invocation, youall
as you
as allknow, is, in
know,is, in all
all its
itsforms,
forms,
mannerof
aa manner worship;itit is
of worship; is therefore
thereforenot permissible
not permissible for for
anybody
anybodyto invokeanyone
to invoke anyoneand andtoto seek
seekthe helpof
the help anyone
of anyone
nor pleadfor
nor plead for assistance
assistancefromfrom anyone exept Allah,
anyon€except as
Allah, as

33
33
stated
statedin in the
the above versos.However,
aboveverses. However,in in matters portaining
matterspertaining
to the daily routineof life and in connectionwith material
to the daily routine of life and in connection with material
thingson
things whichevery
on which humanbeing
everyhuman beinghashas control, ponion
control,a person
mayseek
may seekthethe help
helpof
of another person;this
anotherperson; is not
thisis notworship;
worship; a
personmay
person mayfor
for example,
example,seek the help
seekthe helpof of another
anotherin in order
order
to wardoff
to ward off some
someevil that may
evil that mayoccur
o@urto to his
his son
son or sorvant
servant
or to his
or to his dog
dog etc.;
etc.;one may for
one may for example
exampleask ask for helpfrom
for help from
his colleague
his colleagueeither
either directly
directly or or by corresponden@to
by correspondence
attendto
attend to the
the building
buildingof
of his
his house
houseor repairingof
or repairing his motor
of his motor
car.
car.Inln this
thiscontext, Allafr,the
context,Allah, Almightysays
ths Almighty sayswhile nanating
while narrating
the
the story
storyof of the ProphetMoses
the Prophet (peacebe
Moses(peace be upon him),
uponhim),
"Now the
"Now man of
the man of his
hls own peopleappealed
own people appealedto hlm
to hIm
againsthis
against his foe." (28:15).
foe." (28:15).
The help
The help andand aid whicha man
aid which man seeks
seeksfrom from his
his fellow
fellow
humanbeingsat timesof Jihad
human beings at times of Jihad (fighting
(fighting the non-believers)
the non-believers)
conflictis
and conflict
and is like
likethe
the above
abovesaid help.But
said help. But seeking
seekinghelp
help
and aid from
andaid fromthe the dead,
dead,the Jinns,the
theJinns, the Angels,
Angelg the the trees
trees and
and
the stones
the stonesis is an
an act of major
act of polytheism;it is
majorpolytheism; is similar
similarto the
the
practicesof
practices of the polytheistsof
the polytheists of the
the early
early ages
ages with
with their
their
gods such
gods suchas Al-Uzzaand
as AI-Uzza Al-Laat,etc.
and AI-Last, etc.Similarly,
Similarly,itit is
is an
an
acl of
act polytheismto
of polytheism to believe
believothat
that certain human beings
c€rtain human beings
enjoy or
enjoy possess certain
or possess certain super
super natural powers which
natural powers which
belongonly
belong onlyto Allah the Almighty.
to Allah the Almighty. Itlt is is believed
b€lievedthat that such
such
peoplecan
people helpin
canhelp in curing
curingthethesick,
sick,showing
showingthe pathof right
the path right
guidanceto
guidance to those
those who who gogo astray.
astray,attaining
attainingthe paradise
the paradise
andsalvation
and salvationfromfromthe the Hell.
Hell.The
The verses quotedabove
versesquoted aboveandand
thesayings
the sayingsof the Prophet
of the Prophelreferred
refarredto,to, emphasize
emphasizathe need
the need
to guideall
to guide peopleto
allpeople pathof
thepath
to the of Allah
Allahinin all mattersand
all matters and toto
be in worshipping Allah and
sincerein worshipping Allah and Allah Only
be sincere Allah Onlybecause
becauseall all

34
human beings
human beings have
have been
been created
created for
for that purpose and
that purpose and
have been
have thus ordained
been thus ordainedas
as mentioned
mentionedin in the vemos
the verses
quotedabove.
quoted above. Allah
Allah the
the Almighty
Almighg also
also says:
says:
"Serve Allah,and
"ServeAllah, joinnot
andjoin notany partnerswith
any partners with Him;" (4:36).
Him;"(4:36).
and: "Andthey
and:"And theyhave
havebeenbeencommanded
commandedno no more
morethan
thanthis:
this:
to worship
to Allah,offering
worshipAllah, offering Him Him sincere
sinceredevotion,
devotion,being true
beingtrue
(in faith)"
(in faith)" and
and the
the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon him) has
uponhim) has said
said
as nenated by
as narrated Muaadh: "It
by Muaadh: "lt is
is Allah's
Allah's right
right over
over the
the
worshippersthat
worshippers that they
they worship
worship only Him and
only Him and do not
do not
associateanyone
associate anyonewith with Him."
Him." and and the
the Prophet (peace be
Prophet(peace be
uponhim)
upon him)has
hassaid
saidin in another
anothertradition nanatedby
traditionnarrated Masud:
by Masud:
"Wh@verdies
"Whoever while invoking
dies while invokingsomeone
someoneas rival to
as rival to Allah
Allah
willbe
will bodoomed
doomedto to Hell;"
Hell;" thistraditionhasbeennanatedby
this tradition has been narrated by
lmamAI-Bukhari.
Imam Al-Bukhari.When Whenthe the Prophet (poacobe
Prophet(peace be upon him)
uponhim)
sent tho Companion
sont the CompanionMuaadh Muaadhto to Varnen,
Yamen,he he said him,
said to him,
"you shall
"you shall be
be meeting
meetingaa peoplepeoplewho proless faith
who profess in a
faith in
RevealedBook;
Revealed Book;therefore,
therefore,youryourplea
pleatoto them
themshould
shouldbe be to
to
professthe
profess the Statement
Statementof of Faith: "There is
Faith:"There is no god except
no god except
Allahand
Allah (Muhammadam
thatI (Muhammad)
andthat amthetheMessenger
Messenger of Allah;"
of Allah;"
in the
in narrationof
the narration lmamBukhari
of Imam Bukhariitit is
is mentioned
mentionedas "plead
as "plead
to them until
to them until they
they accept
accoptthe the Oneness
Onenessof Allah." Itlt is
of Allah." is
nanatedin
narrated in the
the collection
collec'tion of Traditions
of Traditionscompiled
compiledby by Imam
lmam
Muslimthat
Muslim that according
accordingto to aa saying narratedby
sayingnarrated by Tariq ibn
Tariq ibn
AshyamAI-Ashjayi
Ashyam Al-Ashjayithat that the
the Prophet (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon him)
upon him)
said "Whoeveraccepts
said "Whoever acceptsthe the Oneness
Onenessof Allah and
of Allah and disbe-
disbe-
lieveswhatever
lieves whateveris worshippedother
is worshipped than Allah
otherthan Allahenjoys
enirys the
the
protectionof
protection Allah in
of Allah his wealth,
in his wealth,blood
bloodand his reward
and his rewardis is
withAllah."
with Thereare
Atlahi'There numerous
arenumerous traditionson
traditions thissubject.
on this subject.
The faith
The faith in
in the
the Oneness
Onenessof
of Allah is the
Allah is the sum and
sum and

35
35
substance
substanceof of the
the religion
religionof
of Islam;
lslam;it is
is the
the basic principle
basicprinciple
and
and the
the most
most important
important of
of all
all the
the duties.
duties. And
And it is for this
for this
purposo that
purpose that the
the human
human beings
beings and
and the Jinns were
the Jinns were
created.Itlt was
created. lor the
wasfor the same
sameobject thatthe
objectthat Messengersof
the Messengers
Allah (peacebe
Allah(peace be upon
uponthem
themall) were sent.
all) were We had
sent.We earlier
had earlier
quotedseveral
quoted versosfrom
severalverses from the
the Holy
Holy Ouran affirmingthis
Quranaffirming this
fact. Among
fact. Among suchsuch verses
verses are:
are:
"I
"l have
haveonly
onlycreated
createdJinns
Jinnsand
andmen thatthey
menthat mays€rve
they may serve
Me."
Me." (51:56)
(51 :56)

and
and
"We assuredly
"We assuredlysent amongstevery
sent amongst peoplea mes-
every people mes-
senger, (withthe
senger,(with command),'Serve
thecommand), Allahand
'Serve Allah andeschew
eschew
(16:36)
evll."(16:36)
evil."
and
and
"Not messenger
"Not aa messenger dld We
did Wesend
sendbefore
beforethee
theewlthout
wIthout
the InspIration
the Insplratlon sentby
sent by Us to him:
Us to hlm: that
that there ls no
there Is no
god but
god but I;l; therefore
thereforeworshIp
worshlpand
andserve
serveMe." (21:25)
Me."(21:25)
to the
Referringto
Referring ProphetsNoah,
the Prophets Noah,Hud,
Hud,Saleh
Salehand
and Shoaib
Shoaib
(peacebe
(peace be upon
upon them Allah, the
all) Allah,
them all) Almightysays
the Almighty says that:
that:
Prophetsadvised
these Prophets
these advisedtheir peoples:
their peoples:
"O my
"0 peopleworship
my people worshipAllah, ye have
Allah,ye haveno
no other
othergod
god
butHim."
but (7:59)
Hlm."(7:59)
This themessage
wasthe
Thiswas of all
messageof allthe Prophets.
the Prophets. Allthose
All those who
who
oppos€the
oppose th€ Prophets
Prophetshave
have themselves
themselvesconfessed
confessedthatthat the
the
Prophetshad
Prophets hadcommanded
commandedthem
themto worship
to worshi p Allah only and
Allah only and
to give up
to give up the worshipof
the worship of all
all other gods.The
other gods. FfolyQuran
The Holy Ouran

36
36
says in
says in this
this context,
context, refening
referring to
to the
the story of Aad
story of that they
Aad that they
told the
told the Prophet
Prophet HudHud (peae
(peace be upon him).
be upon They said:
him). They said:
•'Comest thou
"Comest thou to
to us, that we maY
us, thatwe may worshipAltahalone,
worship Allah alone,
and give
and give upup that
that which
which our fathers used
our fathers to worship?"
used to worship?"
((7:
7 : 70)
701
And Allah, the Almighty
And Allah,the Almightysaysaboutsays about the
the people
people of
of the
the tribe
tribe
of Quraish
of Ouraish whenwhen they
they were called upon
were call€d by our Prophet
upon by our Prophet
Muhammad (peace
Muhammad upon him),
(peace be upon worship Allah
to worship
him), to Allah only only
and
and to give
give up worshipping
worshipping the Angels,
Angels, the friends
friends and
and
guides, idols
guides, idols and and trees,
tre€s, etc.;
etc.;
"Has he
"Has gods (All)
made gods
he made (All) into God? Truly
one God?
into one this is
Truly this
a
a strange thing!" (38:5)
strangethlngl" (38:5)

And in
And in the
the Surah (Chapter)A.s-Saaffaat,
Surah (Chapter) Allah says'
As-Saaffaat, Allah says,
"For
"For they,
they, when
when they
they were that there
told that
were told no god
is no
there is god
except
exceptAllah,
Allah,would puffthemselves
wouldpuff themsalvesup up with pride,
with pride, and
and
say, 'Whatshallwe giveup godsforthe
our godsfor
up our sake of
thesak€ of a
say,'What shall we give
Poet possessed?'
Poetpossessed?' (37:35-36)
"" (37:35-36)

There
Thereare
are many
manymore versesin
moreverses Holy Ouran
the Holy
in the Quranand and
sayings of the Holy
Sayingsof the Holy Prophet
Prophet (peace
(peace be
be upon
upon him)
him) which
which
expound
eaornO this
thisconcept.
concept.May grantsuccess
Allahgrant
MayAllah succosstoto us
us all in
all in
understanding
understandingour our Religion and in
Religionand in educating ourselves
educatingourselves
regarding
regardingthe
the true
true path
Pathofof Allah.
Allah.
All
All the
the invocations
invocations and different
and expressions
ditferentexpressions seeking
seeking
helpand
help andsuccour
su@ourare arevarious formsof
variousforms polytheism because
ofpolytheism because
they
theyare
areaddressed
addressed worshipto
as worship
as otherthan
to other Allah;and
thanAllah; and
they seek
they seek to
to achieve
achieve things
things through
through the
the dead
dead and
and the
the
departedwhereasAllahalone
departed whereas Allah alone can
can achieve
achieve those
those things'
things.

37
Such invocationsare
Snci invocations are more
more worse
worse forms
forms of polytheism
of polytheism
when compared
when comparedto to the polytheismof
the polytheism of the
the early
early ages
ages
becausethe
because peopleof
thepeople of the
theearly
earlyages indulgedin
agesindulged polythe-
in polythe-
ismonly
ism onlywhen
whentheytheyenjoyed
enjoyedmaterial
materialcomfort, peaceand
comfort,peace and
luxury.But
lUxury. Butat timesof
at times of crisis and hardshipstheyworship-
crisis and hardships they worship-
pedAllah
ped Allahalone
alonebecause
becausetheytheyknew
knewthat
thatAllah
Allahalone
alonecan
can
bringsalvation
bring salvationto to them
them from
from their
their hardships.
hardships.The The Holy
Holy
auran refersto
Quranrefers to those polytheistsand
those polytheists and says,
says,
"Now,ififthey
"Now, theyembark
ernbark onaa boat
on boatthey
theycall
callonAllah,making
onAllah,making
theirdevotion
their devotionsincerely (andexclusively)
sincerely(and exclusively) to
to Him;
Him;but
but
when He
when He has
has delivered
deliveredthem
them safely
safely to (dry) land,
to (dry) land,
behold,they
behold, giveaa share
theygive (oftheir
share(of theirworship
worshiptoto others)I"
others)1"
(29:65)
(29:65)
and Allah says
and Allah says in
in another
anotherverse,
verse,
"Whendistress
"When distressseizes youat
seizesyou at sea thos€that
soathose ye call
thatye callupon
upon
-- besides Himself-- leave
besidesHimself you in
leaveyou in the
the lurchl
lurchlBut
But when
when
He brings
He you back
bringsyou back safe
safe to
to land, ye tum
land, ye away (from
tum away (from
Him).Most
Him). Most ungrateful
ungratefulis
is man!" (17:62)
man!" (17:67)
lf the
If the later
laterday polytheistswere
daypolytheists say, "We do not
were to say, not mean
mean
thatthose
that thosewhose
whosehelphelpwe
we seek
seek can
can by
by themselves
themselves benefit
benefit
usand
us andcure
curethe
the sick
sick among
among usus or be
be of use
use to us
us or hurt
hurt us;
us;
we only
we only mean
meanto seek their
to seek their intercedence
intercedence with
with Allah
Allah for
for us,
us,
the
the answer
answer to such
such an
an observation
observation should
should be as follows:
follows:
Verily,
Verily, the
the unbelievers
unbelievers of the early period
the early period also
also had
had the
same purpose
same purpose and
and desire;
desire; they
they too did
did not
not believe
believe that
that
their gods
their create or give
gods creat€ give livelihood
livelihood or do good
good oror harm.
harm.
Such a statement
Such statement will
will negate
negate whal
what Allah has mentionod
Allah has mentioned

38
38
 them in
about them
about in the
the Holy Ouran. Thce
Holy Quran. unbelievers also
Those unbelievers also
claimed that
claimed that they
they only
only sought, such worship,
through such
sought. through worship, the
the
and good
intercession and
intercession those whom
offices of thoso
good offtces whom they
they worship
worship-
ped so
ped so that
that they
they may
may take them nearer
take them Allah. Allah
nearer to Allah. Allah says
says
in the
inthe Holy
Holy Ouran:
Quran: in
in tho
the context
conteril of the
the story
story of the
the Prophet
Prophet
Yunus (peace
Yunus (peace be upon him):
be uPon him):
"They serye,
"They serve, besldes
besides Allah,
Allah, thlngs
things that
that hurt
hurt them
them
not nor protlt
not nor profit them,
them, and
and they say: 'these
they say: are our In-
'these are in-
tercessors with Allah.' Say: 'Do
'Do ye
ye Indeed
Indeed lnform
Inform
tercessorswlth Allah.'Say:
Allah
Allahof
of something
somethlngHe He knows not, In
knows not, the Heavens
In the Heavens
or
or on earth?- Glory
on earth? and far
Hlml and
Gloryto Hlml far ls
Is He
He above
above the
the
partners ascribe (to
they ascrlbe
partnersthey Hlm)I" (10:18)
(to Hlm)1" (10:18)
Thus
ThusAllah
Atlahstates
statesinin unmistakable
unmistakable words that
words has no
He has
that He no
knowledge
knowledgeof of any intercossorfrom
any intercessor from the Heavensor from
the Heavens from
the
the Earth
Earthas
as claimed
claimedby by the
the unbelievers.
unbelievers. So, existence
the existence
So,the
of anything not known
of anything not known to to Allah
Allah does
does not
not in
in fact
fact exist
exist
because
becausenothing
nothingisis hidden
hiddenfrom HisKnowledge.
fromHis Allahsays
Knowledge.Allah says
in
in the
the Holy
Holy Ouran:
Quran:
"The
"Therevelation
revelatlon of thls Book
of this ls from
BookIs Allah,The
from Allah, The Ex- Ex-
alted
altedIn Power,Full
In Power, Full of
of Wisdom. Verlly,Itlt Is
Wlsdom.Verily, ls WeWe
Who have
Who have revealed
revealed Bookto
the Book
the In Truth;
theeIn
to thee Truth;so so
serve
serveAllah
Allahoffering
offerlngHim devotlon.
slnceredevotion.
Hlmsincere ls Itlt not
Is not
to Allahthat
to Allah slnceredevotion
thatsincere ls due?"
devotlonIs (39:1'3).
due?"(39:1-3).
ItIt is
is evident fromthese
evidentfrom vers€sthat
theseverses Allahalone
that Allah aloneis is to
to be
be
worshipped
worshipped and
and such
such wcrship
worship should
should be
be in
in all
all sincerity
sincerity
because
becauseAllah Allah has commandedthe
has commanded (peacebe
Prophet(peace
the Prophet be
upon
uponhim) him)to besincere
to be sincerein inworship. commandapplies
Thiscommand
worship'This applies
to
to all
allthe believers.InIn the
the believers. the above quotedverse,
abovequoted vers€,the word
the word

39
39
 "Ad-Deen"meaning
"Ad-Deen" meaningreligion
religioninin Arabic
Arabichas
hasbeen
beeninter-
inter-
preted
preted asasworship;
worship;worship meansobedience
worship means obedience to
toAllah
Allahand
and
His Prophet
His (peacebe
Prophet(peace be upon
uponhim)
him)asas stated
statedearlier;
earlier;itit
includesinvocation,
includes inv@ation,seeking
seekinghelp,help,fear,
fear,hope,
hope,vows
vowsandand
sacrifices
sacrifices besides prayersand
besidesprayers andfasting
fastingand
and otherduties
other dutiesasas
ordainedby
ordained byAllah
Allahand
andHis prophet(peace
HisProphet (peacebebeupon
uponhim).
him).
Latoron,
Later on, Allah
Allahsays
saysinin the
the Holy
HolyOuran:
euran:
"Butthose
"But thosewho
whotake
takefor protectorsother
for protectors otherthan
thanAllah
Allah
(say): 'We only
servethem
(say): 'We only serve themIn In order
orderthat
thatthey
theymay
may
brlngus
bring usnearer
nearerto
toAllah."
Allah."(39:3)
(39:3)
ln other
In otherwords,
words,they
theysought
soughtto
to say
saythat
thattheir
theironly
onlypurpose
purpose
wasto
was to achieve
achievenearness
neamessto
to Allah.
Allah.In
ln answer
answertoto this,
this,Allah
Allah
says:
says:
"TrulyAllah
"Truly Allahwill
willjudge between
jUdge between them
themIn
ln that
thatwherein
whereln
they differ.
they dtffer.But
But Allah
Allahguides
guidesnot
not such
suchasas are false
are false
andungratefuL"
and ungrateful.,, (39:3).
(39:3).
Thus the
Thus the falsehood
falsehoodof of their
their claim
ctaimthat their gods
thattheir gods take
take
them
them nearer
nearer to AllahAllah has
has been
been exposed
exposed and and the
the worship
worship
they perform
they perform has has been
been described
described as as blasphemy.
blasphemy. lt It should
should
therefore
therefore bebe clear any p€rc;on
clear to any person whowho hashas even
even a a minimum
minimum
of intelligence
intelligence thatthat the
the source
source of blasphemy
blasphemy and and polythe-
polythe-
ism
ism in the earlier
earlier ages
ages was because prophets,
was because Prophets, friends
friends and
and
advisors
advisors besides
besides treestrees and
and stones
stones and and other
other creations
creations
wsre
were considered
considered intercessors
intercessors between
between the the worshippers
worshippers
and
and Allah
Allah and
and they
they believed
believed that
that such
such intercessors
intercessors achieve
achieve
for them their hop€s
for them their hopes and and aspirations,
aspirations, needs
needs andand ambitions
ambitions
without
without thethe permission
permission nor nor the
the con6ent
consent of of Allah
Allah thethe
Almighty.
Almighty. ltIt was
was considered
considered to to be
be like
like the
the recommendation
recommendation

40
of
of the
the ministers
ministersto to the
the kings
kingsand they (such
and they (such worshippers)
worshippers)
presumedAllah,
presumed Allah, thethe Almighty
Almightyto to be equal to
be equal to kings
kings and
and
leadersand
leaders therefore,they
and therefore, utteredwords
they uttered words whichwhich oneone may
may
utter
utterwhen
whenmaking p€titionto a king
makinga petition king or a leader. This is
leader. This
the
the worst
worst form
form of
of falsehood
falsehood because
because Allah,
Allah, the
the Almighty
Almighty
hasnone
has nonesimilar
similarto to Him
Him and
and HeHe cannot
cannot be compared with
be compared with
HisOwn
His Orn creations;
creations;no intercedeswith
one intercedes
no one with Him without His
Him without His
permission;intercession
permission; intercession grantedonly
is granted
is onlyto the believers in
the believers in
the Oneness
theOneness of
of Allah;
Allah; Allah
Allah ls
Is Omnlpotent
Omnipotent and
and Omnlsclent
Omniscient
and He
and He is Most Merciful;
is Most Merciful;He He does
does not fear anyone
not fear anyoneand and
neithercan
neither frightenHim
anyonefrighten
can anyone Himsince
sinceHe He has power
has power over over
all His
all Hisservants
servantsand and He He Alone
Alonedisposes
disposestheir theiraffairs
affairsasas HeHe
wills. On
wills. On the contrary,kings
th€ contrary, kings and and leaders
leaders cannotcannot havehave
power over
power anythingand
over anything they do
and they do not have knowledge
not have knowledge
evefihing. So
abouteverything.
about So they need to
they need to have peopleto assist
have people assist
them in
them in matters
matters which which they
they are unable to
are unable achieve or
to achieve or
implement.Hence,
implement. Hence, they they areare always
always surrounded
sunoundedby by anan
entourageof
entourage ministers,advisers
of ministers, advisers and and bodyguards,
bo<lyguards,etc. etc.
They also
They need to
also need to be informedabout
be informed those who
about those who areare inin
want;this
want; this is yet another
is yet anothsrreason
reasonfor for their beingsurrounded
theirbeing surrounded
byministers
by ministersand andadvisers.
advisers.But ButAllah,
Allah,the Almlghtyis
theAlmighty is above
above
allsuch
all needsand
such needs andallallsuch assistance.
such assistance. He is
Heis moremoremerciful
merciful
tothem
to themthan thantheir mothers;and
theirmothers; andHe Heis is the
theJust Rulerwho
JustRuler whoas as
per His
per HisSupreme Knowledge,Wisdom
SupremeKnowledge, Wisdomand Abilityassigns
and Ability assigns
everythingto
everything to its properplace;
itsproper place;itit is
is therefore
thereforenot permissible
notpermissible
tocompare
to compareHim HimwithwithHis
Hisown Creations.Itlt is
ownCreations. is for
for this reason
thisreason
Allah,the
thatAllah,
that Almightyhas
the Almighty statedin
hasstated in the HolyQuran
the Holy Quranthat that
Heis
He is the
theCreator
Creatorand andthe Sustainer;it
the Sustainer; it is Hewho
is He whoresponds
responds
to the
to the call
callofof one
one whowho is in distress
is in distressand exposesthe
and exposes the evil,
evil,
gives life
gives life and takes itit away;
and takes away; and and doesdoes so many other
so many other

41
41
actions.The
actions. The dispute
disputebetween
betweenthe polytheistsand
the polytheists and the
the
Messengersof
Messengers of Allah
Allah isis inin fact
fact about
about the
the sincerity
sincerityinin
worshipping
worshipping AllahAlone.
Allah Alone.The The Holy Ouran says:
Holy euran says:
"lf thou
"If thouask
askthem,
them,who
whocreated
createdthem,
them,they
theywill
willcertainly
certainly
say,Allah."
say, Allah."(a3:87),
(43:87).
Say: "Whoisis itit that
Say: "Who thatsustains
sustainsyou you(in
(inlife)
life)from
fromthe the sky
sky
andfrom
and fromthethoearth?
earth?Or Or who
who is
is it that haspower
it that has power
overhearing
over hearingandandsight?
sight?And Andwho
whois is itit that
thatbrings
brings
outthe
out theliving
livingfrom
fromthe
thedead deadand
andthethedead
deadfrom fromthe
the
living?And
living? Andwho whoisis itit that
thatrules
rulesandand regulates
regulatesall all
attalrs?
affairs? Theywill
They willsoon
soonsay, ,Allah'.
say,'Allah'. Say,
Say,'will,wfllyou
you
notthen
not thenshow
showpitypity(to
(toHim)'?"
Hlm),?" (10:31).
(10:31).
Thereare
There are several
severalverses
vers€sin in this
this context
contextinin the
the Holy
Holy
Quran. We had
Ouran. We had earlier earlierreferred
referredto
to the
theverses
vorsesthat pointout
thatpoint out
thatthe
that the dispute
disputebetween
betweenthethe Messengers
Messengersof Allah and
ol Allah and the
the
natonswas
nations was regarding
regardingsincerity
sincerityin
in worshipping
worshipping alone, We
alone,We
may quote another
may quote anotherverse:
verse:
"Forwe
"For we assuredly
assuredly sent
sent amongst every people
amongst overy people a mes.
mes-
$ongsr (with
senger (with the the Command;, ,Servo
Command), 'Serve Allah
Allah and
and eschew
eschew
e v l l . ((16:36)
evil." "1 6 : 3 6 )
fiegardingintercession,
Regarding intercession, Allah
Allah the
the Almighty
Almighty has
has men-
men-
tioned
tioned in several places
in several places in
in the
the Holy Ouran the
Holy Quran the real
real meaning
meaning
of
of lntorcession.
intercession. We
We may
may for
for example
example quote:
quote:
"Who
"Who is
is there
there who
who can
can intercsda
intercede in His Presence gxceot
His Pressnce except
as He permitteth."
as He permitteth." (2:255).
(2:255).
Allah
Allah wiil
will not
not accafrt
accept frorn
from His
His wr:rshippers
worshippers hrlasphemy
blasphemy

42
42
heathenism; He
heathenism; He will
will acc€pt only gratitude
accept only expressed by
gratitude expressed by the
the
beliefin the Oneness Allahand obedienceto
belief in the Oneness of Allah and obedience to Him.
Him. lt
It is
stated in
stated in the
the Holy
Holy Quran:
Ouran:
"lf ye
"ll ye relect
reject (Allah), truly Allah
(Allah), truly hath no
Allah hath no need of you;
need ol you; but
but
He
He IIketh from Hls
ingratitude from
not Ingratltude
llkethnot servants: lf
His servants: ye
If ye are
are
grateful, He
grateful, is pleased
He is with you,"
pleased with you." (39:7)
(39:7)
It is narrated
It is narrated inin the
the Collections Traditions (Hadith)
Collections of Traditions (Hadith)
compiled
compiledby by Imam
lmam Bukhari that Abu
Bukharithat Abu Hurayra said that
Hurayra said that
when he
when he asked Prophet(peace
the Prophet
askedthe him), "Who
upon him),
be upon
(peace be "Who
shall be
shall be the
the most happypeople
most happy with your
people with intercession, O
your intercession, 0
Prophetof Allah?" The Prophetsaid,
Prophet of Allah?" The Prophet said, "He who
who says
says that
that
there
there isis no exceptAllah,
god except
no god Allah, and
and says so with
says so all the
with all the
sincerity
sincerityof of his
his heart (or of
heart (or his self)."
of his self)."
ItIt is
is narrated
narratedon the authority
on the authorityof (May Allah
Anas (May
of Anas Allah be
be
pleasedwith
pleased him) that
with him) that the (p€acabe
Prophet(peace
the Prophet upon him)
be upon him)
said, "EveryProphet
said,"Every Prophethas plearesponded
has a plea responded to; and every
to;and every
Prophethastened
Prophet hastenedto makehis
to make pleawhile
hisplea mine,
withheldmine,
whileI withheld
so that I may intercede
so that I may intercede for
for my
my Ummah
Ummah (nation)
(nation) on
on the
the Day
Day
of
ol the
theJudgement;
Judgement; and
andbyby the
theWill
Willof
of Allah intercession
my intercession
Allahmy
willinclude
will allof
includeall Ummahwho
myUmmah
of my havedeparted
whohave fromthis
departedfrom this
worldwithout
world withoutsetting
settingup partnersto
up partners to Allah worship"'
in worship."
Allah in
Thereare
There areseveral versesin
severalverses in the
the Holy
HolyOuran
Quranand several
andseveral
Traditionsof
Traditions of the whichemphasize
Prophetwhich
the Prophet emphasizethe fact that
the fact that
worshipis
worship is aa right preservedfor
rightpreserved AllahAlone
for Allah is not
and itit is
Aloneand not
permissible
permissible to
to perform
perform any
any worship
worship to
to anyone
anyone other
other than
than
Allah,whether
Allah, whethertheytheybe Prophetsor
the Prophets
be the or any
anyother person.
otherperson.
They
They also
also emphasize
emphasizethe the fact intercessionis
that intercession
tact that with
is with
Allah,
Allah,the
the Almighty Aloneas
AlmightyAlone as said
saidinin the HolyQuran:
the Holy Quran:

43
 'To
"Say:'To Allah
"Say: Allahbelongs
belongsexclusively
exclusively (theright
(the rightto grant)
to grant)
Intercession."
Intercession." (39:rl4).
(39:44).
No one
No one shall
shalldeserve
deservethethe intercession
intercession except
exceptby by His
His
permission.
permission. AndHe,
And He,the
theAlmighty,
Almighty, willpermit
will permit for
forinterces-
interces-
sionto
sion persons
topersons whoonly
who onlybelieve
believeininthe
theOneness
Oneness of
ofAllah as
Allahas
statedearlier.
stated earlier.Therefore,
Therefore, the polytheists
thepolytheists will not
willnotbebe granted
granted
intercession.
intercession. The Holy
The HolyOuran
Quransays:
says:
"Then will
"Then will no
no intercession
intercessionof (any)intercessors
of (any) profit
intercessorsprofit
(74:81
them."(74:48)
them."
"No intimate
"No intimatefriend
friendnor
norintercessor
intercessorwillthe
will the wrong-doers
wrong-doers
have,who
have, who could
couldbe
be listened
listenedto."
to." (40:1g)
(40:18)

The expression
The "wrong-doers"in
expression"wrong-doers" in this verse is
this verse is inter-
inter-
pretedas
preted as the polytheists;
the polytheists; this is
this is stated
statedinin another
anotherverse:
verse:
"Thosewho
"Those who reject Faith-- they
rejectFaith they are
are the
the wrong-doers."
wrong-do€rs."
(2:254)
(2:254)
"For false
"For falseworship
worshipis
is indeed
indeedthe
the highest
highestwrong-doing."
wrong-doing."
( 3 1:13)
(31 :13)
With regardto
With regard to your
your question
question concerning
concerning somesome of
of the
the
Sufis(mystics)
Sufis (mystics) who
who utter inthe
utter in the mosques
mosques and and in
in some
some other
other
placas
places phrases
phrases suchsuch as as "O Lord, grant
"0 Lord, grant peace
peace and
and
blessings
blessings onon the
the one whom you
one whom you have
have ordained
ordained toto be
be
instrumental
instrumental in
in the unfolding of your
the unfolding your mighty
mighty secrets
secrets and
and inin
opening
opening the
the doors
doors toto the
the sublime lights of your
sublime lights Your Mercy
Mercy and
and
who
who has
has thus
thus beo:me
be<):'Jme Your
Your vicegerent
vicegerent andand whowho has
has
inherited
inherited Your
Your Hidden Secrets ...
Hidden Secrets ... etc."
etc." The
The answer
answer to this
this
would
would bebe as follows:
follows:

44
44
 All such
All such utterances
utterances are
are nothing
nothing but but pedantry
pedantry andand empty
empty
talk against
talk against which
which our
our Prophet Muhammad (peace
Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him) has warned us.
uponhim)haswamedus. lt nanated It is narrated in the Collection
Collection of
of
Traditions (Hadith)
Traditions (Hadith) by lmam
Imam Muslim authority of
Muslim on the authority of
Abdulla ibn
AMulla ibn Masud
Masud that
that the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace be uponupon him)
him)
said: "The
said: "The Pedants
Pedants shall
shall be
be doomed destruction." (The
doomed to destruction." (The
Prophet repeated this
Prophetrepeated this mark three times).
mark three Imam Al-Khattabi
times). lmam AI-Khattabi
(May Allah
(May Allah bless
bless his soul) has
his soul) defined a pedant
has defined pedant as oneone
who
whodelves
delvesinto problemsand
intoproblems issues which
and issues which are beyond his
are beyond his
intellectual
intelleclualabilities, as was
abilities,as indulged by
was indulged by the
the scholastic
scholastic
theologians.
theologians.
Abus-Sadaat
Abus-SadaatIbnullbnul Athir has said
Athir has said that the pedants
that the pedants are
are
those
those who
who show
show extravagance
extravagancoin in their speech and
their speech try to
and try
speak
speak tootoo loudly. The Arabic
loudly. The word for
Arabic word for this
this expression
expression
"Mutanafti"'is
"Mutanatti'" is derived fromNat'''
derivedfrom forepart of the
meaningforepart
Nat"' meaning the
palate.Later,
palate. Later, the word
the word was
was used
used for
for every
every extravagant
extravagant
either in speech
either in speechor or action.
aclion.
person,even
Any person,
Any evenwithwith aa minimum
minimumof intelligence,
of intelligence, will
will
understand
understandfromfrom thethe above
abovethatthat such refened
utterancosreferred
such utterances
to, prais€of
in praise
to, in of our (peacebe
Prophet(peace
our Prophet be upon him)is
uponhim) form
is a form
of
of affectation pedantryforbidden
and pedantry
atfeclationand forbiddenin in our
our religion. The
religion.The
correct approachfor
conectapproach Muslimin
for aa Muslim in this
this context shouldbe
contoxtshould lo
be to
leam the Traditional
learn the Traditional method
method of
of praying
praying on
on the
the Prophet
Prophet
(peacebe
(peace uponhim).
be upon lmam Bukhari
him).Imam Bukhariand and Imam Muslim
lmam Muslim
nanatedin
havenarrated
have in their
theirCollections
Collectionson the authority
on the authorityof Kaab
of Kaab
(mayAllah
(may Allahbe pleasedwith
be pleased him)that
with him) the Companions
that the Companionsof of
(mayAllah
Prophet(may
the Prophet
the Allahbe pleasedwith
be pleased themall)
with them all) said to
saidto
theProphet
the Prophet"0 "O Prophet
Prophetof Allah,we
of Allah, we have
havebeen orderedto
beenordered to
prayon
pray on you;
you; how
how shallwe
shall we pray
pray on
on you?"
you?" The
The Prophet
Prophet said,
said,

45
 "S"y, 0O Lord,
"Say, Lord,bless
bloss Muhammad
Muhammadand and the
the family
family of
ol
Muhammad
Muhammad you blessed
as you
as blessedIbrahim
lbrahimand
and the
the family
familyof
of
lbrahim;Verily
Ibrahim; Verilythou
thouart
artPraiseworthy
Praiseworthy and
andGlorious;
Glorious;and
and0O
Lord, grantyour
Lord,grant yourbenedictions
benedictions toMuhammad
to Muhammad and the family
andthefamily
ofMuhammad
of Muhammad as yougranted
asyou grantedtoto Ibrahim
lbrahimand
andthe
thefamily
familyof
of
lbrahim;Verily
Ibrahim; Verilythou
thouart
art Praiseworthy
Praiseworthy and
and Glorious."
Glorious."
ItItisisalso
alsonarrated
nanatedin inthe
theCollections
Collections of
ofImam
lmamBukhari
Bukhariand
and
lmamMuslim
Imam Muslimonon the
the authority
authorityof
of Abi
Abi Humayd
HumaydAs-Sa'idi
As-Sa'idi
(mayAllah
(may Allahbe pleasedwith
be pleased withhim)
hirn)that
thatsome peopleasked
somepeople asked
the Prophet:
the "How shall
Prophet:"How shall we pray on
we pray prophetof
you, 0O Prophet
on you, of
Allah?"The
Allah?" TheProphet
Prophetsaid: "Say0O Lord,
said:"Say Lord,bless
blessMuhammad,
Muhammad,
his wives
his wivesandand his
his children
childrenas you blessed
as you blessedthe the family
family of
of
lbrahimand
Ibrahim grantyour
and grant your benedictions
benedictionsonon Muhammad,
Muhammad,his his
wives and
wives and his
his children
childrenas you granted
as you grantedto to the
the family
family of
of
lbrahim;Verily
Ibrahim; you are
Verily you ars Praiseworthy
Praiseworthyand and Glorious."
Glorious."
ItIt is
is narrated
nanatedin in the
the Collection
Collectionofof Imam
lmam Muslim
Muslimon on the
the
authorityof
authority of Abi
Abi Mas'ud
Mas'udAI-Ansari
At-Ansari(may
(may Ailah be ptea3ed
Allah be pleaSed
withhim)
with him)that
thatBasheer
Bashe€ribnibnSa'ad
Sa'adsaid: "0 propher
said: "O Prophet of Allah,
Allah,
Allahhas
Allah hasordered
orderedusus to pray on you;
pray on you; so
so how shall we pray
how shallwe pray
on you?" The Prophet
on you?" The Prophet remainedremained silent
silent for
for a few
few moments
moments
and then
and said: "Say,
then said: "Say, O 0 Lord,
Lord, bless
bless Muhammad
Muhammad and and the
the
family
family of Muhammad
Muhammad as as you
you blessed
blessed lbrahim
Ibrahim and
and bestow
bestow
Your
Your benediction on Muhammad
benediction on Muhammad and and the
the family
family of Muham-
Muham-
mad
mad as as you
you bestowed
bestowed on lbrahim
Ibrahim ln
in the
the two
two worlds;
worlds; Verily
Verily
Thou
Thou art Praiseworthy
Praiseworthy andand Glerious.
Glorious. This
This is thethe prayer
prayer
taught to you."
taught you."

All
All such
such utterances
utterances that
that are
are authentically
authentically attributed
attributed to
to
the Prophet (peace
the Prophet (peace be
be upon
upon hirn)
him) shoutd
should bebe the
the only
only

rt6
46
utterances
utt€ran@sused used byby a Muslim whenever he
Muslim whenever seeks to pray
he seeks pray
for the
for the Prophet
Prophet and ask for
and ask for Allah's benediction lor
Allah's benediction for him-
him. A
Muslim should abide
Muslim should abide onlyonly by by these authentic words
these authentic words
because
becausethe Prophet(peace
the Prophet (peace be upon him)
be upon knows best
him) knows best
regarding
regardingthe the words
words that
that are
are to
to be
be used
used for
for him
him and
and he
he also
also
knowsbest regardingth€ wordsthat are be used his
knows best regarding the words that are to be used for
tor his
Lord.As
Lord. As regards,
regards,all all the
the innovated
innovated and affected words
and atfecled words andand
phrases besides
phrases besidesthe words which
the words which are loaded with
are loaded with thethe
possibilityof
possibility inconect connotations
of incorrect connotationssuch such as as the
the words
words
mentioned
mentionedin your query;
in your query;suchsuchwords should not
words should not be usedused
because
becaus€theythey are affectedforms
are affected speech and
forms of speech and because
because
they can be
they can interpretedwith
be interpreted with false meanings and
false meanings also for
and also
the reasonthey
the reason they are differentfrom
are different the words
from the selected by
words selected
the Prophet of
the Prophet of Allah (peace be
Allah (peace be upon him). He
upon him). He hashas
inslructedhis
instructed his Ummah (nation)and
Ummah(nation) and he is the
he is the best informed
bestinformed
among
amongall humanbeings
all human beingsand andthethe most righteous;he
mostrighteous; he is the
the
inclinedto
least inclined
least to affectations.
affectations.May May thethe best peace
best of peace and and
blessingsfrom
blessings from ourour Lord
Lord be be on him. I hope
on him. hope thatthat the
the
discussionII have
discussion presentedin
havepresented in these pages,supported
thesepages, supportedby by
proofs,shall
adequateproofs,
adequate shallsuffice
sufficeinin explaining
explainingthe truthof the
the truth the
doctrineof
doctrine of the Onenessof
the Oneness Allahand
ofAllah and inin exposing polythe-
exposingpolythe-
ism besides
ism explaining the
besides explaining the differences between the
ditferencesbetween the
polytheistsof
polytheists theearly
of the earlyages
agesandandthose
thoseof of the
the later agesin
laterages in
regard.
this regard.
this
person who
A person
A who seeks to know
seeks to the truth
know the truth should
should be
be
convinced
convinced theexplanation
bythe
by explanation givenregarding
given regarding the permissi-
thepermissi-
ble
bleformformof prayeron
ofprayer onthe
theProphet (peacebe
Prophet(peace beupon him).But
uponhim). But
personhas
ifif aa person nodesire
hasno to know
desireto knowthe truth,he
thetruth, hecan indulge
canindUlge
in his
in hisown
ownfanciful thoughts.Allah
fancifulthoughts. referredto
hasreferred
Allahhas th€min
to them in
the Holy
the HolyQuran
Quranandand said:
said:

47
 "But ifif they
"But they hearken
hearkennot know that
thee, know
not to thee, that they
they only
only
follow
followtheir
theirown
own lusts; and
lusts;and who
who is
is more
more astray
astray than
than one
one
who follows his own lusts, devoid
who follows his own lusts, devoid of guidance
guidance from
from
Allah?
Allah?For ForAllah guldesnot
Allahguides notpeople
people glven
given to
to wrong
wrong do-
do-
Ing." (28:50)
lng,"(28:50)
In
ln the
the above
aboveverse
verseAllah, the Almighty
Allah, the Almighty hashas classified
classified the
the
peoplein
people in two groupswith
two groups regardto their
with regard their attitude
attitude to our
our
Prophet
ProphetMuhammad (peacebe
Muhammad(peace uponhim)
be upon and his
him)and his mission;
mission;
One group responds
One group respondsto Allah and
to Allah and to His Messenger
to His Messenger
whereas
whereasthe group follows
other group
the other followsitsits own lusts and
own lusts and Allah
Allah
says that those
says that who follow
thoso who followtheir
their lusts
lusts are deprived of qll
are deprived ~II
guidancefrom
guidance Him.
from Him.
prayto
Wepray
We to Allah, theAlmighty,
Allah,the Almighty, thatwe
that maybe
we may be safe
safe from
from
becoming
becomingthe followersof
the followers lustsand
of lusts May Allah
and May makeyou
Allah make you
all of
andall
and of us thosewho
amongthose
us among whoalways
alwaysabide
abideby the path
by the path of
Allah and
Allah and HisHis Messenger (peace be
Messenger(peace be upon him) and
upon him) and byby
whoenlighten
thosewho
those enlightenus us about his DivineLaw
abouthis Divine (Sharia)
Law (Sharia) and and
caution
cautionus whateveris
againstwhatever
us against is in
in violation of it,
violationof it, such
such asas
innovations
innovations fancifulopinions.
andfanciful
and Verily,Allah
opinions. Verily, isMagnani-
Allahis Magnani-
mousand
mous andGenerous.
Generous.PeacePeaceand
andblessings
blessingsbebe on
on HisHisslave
slave
Messenger,Our
and Messenger,
and ProphetMuhammad
Our Prophet Muhammadand and on his
on his
Family,his
Family, his Gompanions
Companions and
and his
his followers
followers untilthe
until the Day
Day of
of
Judgement.
Judgement.

It8
48
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