FAJR REMINDER: CALLING UPON THE DEAD
By: Umm Affan
Shawwal 14, 1439 (28-June-2018)
It’s so pitiable that we have acclaimed Muslims who worship people (they consider righteous) alongside Allah. They call them for help - either to obtain goodness or avert harm. They kiss their garments, shoes, cars, and their other belongings. Allah says (in Surah Al-A’raf [7] verse 194): “Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you…” More so, some go to the level of worshiping graves by supplicating (to the residents), circumambulating, touching and kissing it, and wiping their faces with its dust, having the belief that the dead can grant their needs at the time of grief. Allah says (in Surah Al-Ahqaf [46] verse 5): “And who is more astray than one who calls (invokes) besides Allah, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls (invocations) to them?” This is nothing but a palpable and major Shirk (act of associating partners with Allah in worship) which puts one outside the fold of Islam, for supplication is an act of worship and shouldn’t be directed to anyone than Allah. Allah says (in Surah Al-Isra [17] verse 23): “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.”
However, the Prophet (SallaLlahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) encouraged us to visit the grave in as much we don’t say or do anything that will anger Allah such as calling, praising and seeking assistance from its occupants. Evidently, the grave is visited in order to reflect over death, remember Hereafter and pray for the dead. Among the Du’a to be recited (as recorded in Sahih Muslim and Sunan Ibn Majah) is: “Assalamu ‘Alaykum Ahl al-diyaar min al-mu’mineen wa’l-Muslimeen, In Shaa Allah bikum laahiqoon, as’al Allaha lana wa lakum al-aafiyyah (meaning: Peace be upon you, people of this abode, from among the believers and those who are Muslims, and we, by the Will of Allah, shall be joining you. I ask Allah to keep us and you safe and sound.” So, let’s say no to grave worship. I beseech Allah to grant us sound faith. (Aameen)