94- Ruling on holding celebrations by graves
Q: There are many Awliya (pious people), such as Al-Husayn and Al-Sayyid Al-Badawy, for whose sake some people hold celebrations and offer vows without being blamed by anybody. What is the ruling on this common practice that people indulge in by the graves of Awliya`? Please advise in writing - if possible - so that people may benefit from your answer.
A: Unfortunately, the practice you referred to in the question is widespread among Muslims even though it is one of the gravest major sins. Rather, it is tantamount to major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam); there is neither might nor power except with Allah. Indeed, showing excessive reverence towards the dwellers of graves, invoking them other than Allah, seeking their help, drawing close to them by making Tawaf (circumambulation) around their graves, and offering sacrifices or vows for them are all acts of major Shirk. On the other hand, celebrating the birthdays of Awliya is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion) that Muslims have to abandon. Even more, if such celebrations are accompanied by invoking the deceased or seeking their help - as it happens in many cases even while celebrating the birthday of the Prophet (peace be upon him), this is regarded as major Shirk. Bid`ahs lead to Shirk. They are the gravest Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) next to Shirk. Munkar has different degrees and the gravest of which is Shirk and all kinds of Kufr (disbelief). Next to Shirk are Bid`ahs for they are equivalent to introducing (unauthorized) additions to the Din (religion) and objecting to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Thus, Muslims have to beware of the practices mentioned above. They also have to avoid constructing buildings or domes over graves, for this is also a means to Shirk. Once a grave is highly esteemed by constructing buildings over it, such as a Masjid (mosque) or a dome, the common people may think that the dweller of that grave is to be invoked other than Allah (Exalted be He). They then seek their help, offer them vows, and believe that they can fulfill their needs and intercede for them. In fact, such bad deeds were the exact practice of the early Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), who embraced the Din of Quraysh, and other Kafirs (disbelievers). Allah (Exalted be He) says regarding them: And they worship besides Allah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: 'These are our intercessors with Allah. "} Allah (Glorified be He) thus refutes their claim saying: And they worship besides Allah things that harm them not, nor profit them, and they say: "These are our intercessors with Allah. " Say: "Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?" Glorified and Exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners (with Him)! Allah (Glorified be He) states that there is no partner with Him neither in the heavens nor on the earth. Allah denounces this act of the Mushriks declaring it as being Batil (null and void) for no false gods can intercede for anybody. Allah (Exalted be He) says: So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them. And: So worship Allah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah's sake only.) {Surely the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah only. And those who take Awliya (protectors, helpers, lords, gods) besides Him (say): 'We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah."} Mushriks claim that they only worship false gods besides Allah (Exalted be He) because they think that those false gods will draw them close to Allah and intercede for them with Him. Though they do not claim that such false gods can create or give Rizq (sustenance), Allah (Exalted be He) considers them Mushriks. The same last Ayah (Qur`anic verse) ends with: 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) regards them as liars for their claim is not true. Muslims have to beware of such excessive reverence and Bid`ahs relating to graves for they are great evils that lead to Shirk. Whenever a person dedicates much time to looking after graves, constructs buildings over them, and extols them by drawing curtains on and perfuming them, this will lead them to invoke the dwellers of such graves other than Allah and seek their help; and these are acts of major Shirk according to the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars. Muslims have to beware of this great tribulation and scholars must warn people against these acts of Shirk and Munkar. They have to guide them to the truth so that they shun falsehood. It is noteworthy that the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained in Makkah for ten years calling people to Tawhid...