60- Ruling on Tabarruk (seeking blessings) at the graves of Awliya
Q: Our Shaykh, there are some persons who perform Salah (Prayer) at its due time, pay charity, and observe Sawm (Fast), but they seek blessings with dead people and sacrifice animals beside their graves claiming that they are Awliya (pious people). What is the ruling on those people? May Allah reward you well!
A: Those who practice Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) will have their deeds rendered fruitless even if they performed Salah or Sawm. Therefore, whoever invokes the dead beside Allah, sacrifices animals for their sake, kisses, and wipes himself by their graves seeking blessings, commits major Kufr (disbelief that takes the Muslim out of Islam). We seek refuge in Allah against all these acts. It is also not permissible to wipe himself by those whom he believe to be righteous, seek their blessings, deem them as intercessors with Allah or they may draw him closer to Allah. This is the behaviors of Kafirs (disbelievers). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says with regard to Kafirs:! And they worship besides Allah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah. " And: And those who take Awliya (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): 'We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.") They said: We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah. Allah (Glorified be He) says: Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.) Allah (Exalted be He) called them as liars and Kafirs. Therefore, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to safeguard himself against all these things. One should not wipe himself by the graves or sacrifice animals for the sake of the dead. But if one sacrifices animals for the sake of Allah, but he thinks that slaughtering by graves is better, it will be a Bid`ah (innovation in religion), not Kufr (disbelief). Moreover, if one slaughters animals for the sake of the dead hoping for heir intercession or that they may be of benefit to him on the Day of Judgment because of that sacrifice, he will be a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) as this is the action done by Mushriks. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only). And: Say (O Muhammad ﷺ ): "Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the l Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no partner.) The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah curses those who slaughter animals for the sake of anyone other than Allah.) In brief, all acts of worship should be dedicated sincerely to Allah alone as Dua`a' (supplication), fear, hope, Tawakkul (putting one's trust in Allah), sacrifice, vow, and so on. No one is permitted to sacrifice animals for the sake of the dead, idols, stars or Jinn (creatures created from fire). No one is permitted also to ask them for help, vow for them or resort to them in times of adversity, but one should ask Allah alone for help, vow for Allah alone as he is the only One Who is worthy of being worshipped. It is also impermissible to seek the blessings of the dead or wipe himself by their graves seeking blessings or hoping for their blessings. All these things are impermissible. Moreover, if one thinks that this man brings him blessings, he commits major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). But if he thinks that doing so is desirable, he commits a Bid`ah. This is because this behavior is permissible only with regard to the Prophet (ﷺ) as he permitted them to seek blessings in his hair, the water by which he performs Wudu 1 (ablution), and his sweat. This is because Allah (Exalted be He) makes him (ﷺ) a blessing. Other people are not like him. Moreover, the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) did not do so with As-Siddiq, `Umar, `Uthman, `Aly, or others. This is because they knew that these things are a special privilege for the Prophet (ﷺ). Seeking blessings in the Prophet's hair, sweat, and the water by which he made Wudu 1 are a special privilege for him. But, doing so with any other person is a Bid`ah. Moreover, if he thinks that he gains blessings from this person, he commits major Kufr. May Allah grant us well-being!
[Vol. 2, Page No. 176-177]