Following Syedna does not mean worshipping him
Mu' meneen
Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa
Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be
upon all of you)
One of our
brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Dear Burhan
Can you throw light on
the following-
1. During Haj the Bohris perform the Haj ceremony in a different way. Is this true and why?
2. Is photography,
listening to music and keeping photos- wall hanging in the house (without the
intent of worshipping them) forbidden in Islam?
3. Can you give the
lineage after the Prophet (saws), i.e Imams, Khalifahs and dais? What is correct?
4. Do you feel the Bohris are totally brainwashed in their beliefs? They
unconditionally believe that Syedna is their spiritual
leader and they will not accept any logic otherwise. Frankly you have seen both
sides of the story as you say you were a firm believer in Syedna
before. I think the belief in bohris is that they
accept Syedna as their spiritual leader and do not
worship him. They do everything in Islam like prayers to Allah alone, fast, zakat, haj etc plus more like vayas in Muharram, matam.
Therefore the feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra
are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point
across to you.
Also I have heard the the dais before were simple and there was no power and
wealth involved in those times. Also they were more approachable. How far is
this true?
Also can you tell me
about the laaghan we keep on the 10th of Muharram and
the other fasts we keep aside from Ramzaan. Is there any mention of these fasts by the Prophet (saws)
(There may be some
grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not
change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our
readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
Following Syedna
does not mean worshipping him
In the
name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness.
Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray,
none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no
person, no grave, no prophet, no imam,
no dai,
nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that
Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Q-1: During Haj
the Bohris perform the Haj
ceremony in a different way. Is this true and why?
No man
who ever walked on this planet earth worshipped Allah Subhanah
better and in a more perfect manner than the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws).
Thus for all rites of worship, our guide, role model, and example has to
be the Messenger of Allah (saws).
If one
performs the Hajj ceremony the way the Last Messenger of Allah (saws) performed
and taught the Hajj rites to the believers; then it would be an acceptable
worship in the sight of Allah Subhanah. And if anyone or any sect performs the Hajj
rites in any other way than that of the Messenger of Allah (saws), then it
would definitely not be an acceptable form of worship in the sight of Allah Subhanah.
We are
not qualified to comment on whether our Bohra
brethren, or any other sect in Islam, are doing their Hajj rites in a different
way and why or why not; our concern as believers should be whether it is being
done in the manner performed and taught by the Messenger of Allah (saws). There are many ways to perform the ceremony
or fulfill the rites in an incorrect manner, but there is only one way to
fulfill the rites in the perfect manner, and that is the manner the Last
Messenger of Allah (saws) performed it.
If any brother likes to study the way and manner the Hajj rites were
performed to perfection by the Messenger of Allah (saws), we would consider an
honor to send all the authentic traditions related to the Hajj rites.
Q-2: Is photography, listening to
music and keeping photos- wall hanging in the house (without the intent of
worshipping them) forbidden in Islam?
Ref: Photography:
Most of
the scholars are of the opinion that photography in itsself
is not forbidden in Islam;
but painting or imaging of an animate object is indeed
forbidden.
Ref:
Music:
The
Messenger of Allah (saws) declared the music of all ‘string’ instruments haraam. The wisdom
behind the commandment given is that music and some songs and lyrics (that talk
about shirk, sensual and sexual nature, etc.) takes one away from the world of
reality, into a
false world of fantasy, imagination and dreams.
The music
that is forbidden in Islam is the ‘impure’ and string music which facilitates
‘shirk’, ‘faheshaa’ and indecency. The contemporary music which is so rampant
in movies, television, radios, etc.
which encourage indecency, is definitely forbidden.
But if
one takes music to mean the melodious sound of the Muazzin
while calling to prayer, or the
beautiful sound of the ‘Qari’ when he recites the
Holy Quran, or
the tunes of chorus sung by the mujahideen; these are not only permitted, these are considered virtues and a means of
getting a huge reward from Allah Subhanah.
If one
writes poetry in the Praise of Allah and sings it in a melodious voice, there is absolutely
no harm. Even if one writes poetry of
love and sings them to his wife, and there is no indecency in the
wordings, there is no harm. Even the playing of the ‘daff’
(a circular drum type instrument played by the hand) at special occasions like
marriage, etc.
was allowed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) in Islam.
Every word
has a specific meaning,
and when we use the term ‘music’ it is understood to mean the
music that we hear today on the radio and televisions. If one takes music to mean the pure
music, like the melody of the azaan, or the
recitation of the Quran, or the music made by the ‘daff’, or the music created by nature, these are absolutely legal in Islam.
Ref:
Hanging photos in the house:
The Chief
of the Angels, Hadrat
Jibrael (a.s.) told Prophet
Mohamed (saws) that the Angels of Mercy do not enter a house where there are
pictures (or photos) of animate objects.
Thus, it
would be inappropriate for a believer in Allah and the Last Day, to display photos or pictures of animate
objects in his house.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.841 Narrated
by Abu Talha
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "Angels (of mercy) do not
enter a house where there are pictures."
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.845 Narrated
by Abu Juhaifa
that he had bought a slave whose profession was
cupping. The Prophet forbade taking the
price of blood, and the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute, and
cursed the one who took or gave (Riba') usury, and
the lady who tattooed others or got herself tattooed, and the picture-maker.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450 Narrated
by Abu Salim
Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (saws) that he would visit him,
but Gabriel did not come, and later on he said, "We, angels, do not enter
a house which contains a picture, or a dog."
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834 Narrated
by Muslim
We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard
'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "The people who will
receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.'
"
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448 Narrated
by Abu Talha
I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of
Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living
creature (a human being or an animal)."
The
opinion of most scholars in Islam is that there is no harm if one has his
pictures taken for identification purposes, passports, driving licenses, etc., or keeping pictures of loved ones in
albums, etc. What is prohibited is the open display of
pictures or photos of human beings and/or animals.
Q-3: Can you give the lineage
after the Prophet (saws), i.e Imams, Khalifahs and dais? What is correct?
The only
blood descendant who survived after the Prophet (saws) was his beloved daughter
Hadrat Fatimah binte Rasool Allah (r.a.) and her decendants. We are not aware of any lineage ‘tree’ which
exists in documented form naming all the descendants of the Prophet (saws) to
date; and frankly it would be rather impossible to document the lineage of
descendants of the Prophet (saws) as there would literally be thousands of them
alive today! Only Allah Subhanah knows their exact number and details!
Depending
on which ‘Imams’ one is referring to, they might or might not be the direct
descendants of the Prophet (saws). If
one refers to the Imams from the Ahlul-Bayt of the
Messenger of Allah (saws) like Hadrat Hasan ibn Ali (r.a.), Hadrat
Hussain ibn Ali (r.a.), Hadrat Zain-al-Abedeen
ibn Hussain (r.a.), etc., they would indeed be amongst the direct
descendants of the Prophet (saws).
None of
the ‘Khalifahs’ including Hadrat
Ali ibn Abi Taalib (r.a.) were from the
direct descendants of the Prophet (saws); and similarly none of the ‘Dais’ (as
recognized by some sects) were direct descendants of the Prophet (saws).
Q-4: Do you feel the Bohris
are totally brainwashed in their beliefs? They unconditionally believe that Syedna is their spiritual leader and they will not accept
any logic otherwise. Frankly you have seen both sides of the story as you say
you were a firm believer in Syedna before. I think the
belief in bohris is that they accept Syedna as their spiritual leader and do not worship him.
They do everything in Islam like prayers to Allah alone, fast, zakat, haj etc plus more like vayas in Muharram, matam.
Therefore the feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra
are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point
across to you.
Only
Allah and His Messenger (saws) have this status in Islam that it is obligatory
to obey and follow their commands unconditionally! If anyone obeys or follows anyone else
‘unconditionally’, then they have shared a right of Allah and His Messenger
(saws) with someone else!
Your Statement: I think the belief
in bohris is that they accept Syedna
as their spiritual leader and do not worship him.
We have
answered this very query in our archives and are attaching the answer for your
perusal.
Your Statement: Therefore the
feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t
go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra
are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point
across to you.
No man
who ever walked on this planet earth worshipped Allah Subhanah
better and in a more perfect manner than the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws).
Thus for all rites of worship, our guide, role model, and example has to
be the Messenger of Allah (saws).
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21: There is
indeed the best example for you to follow, in the Messenger of Allah, for every
such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.
Thus, if
someone adds something, or brings about an innovation in the deen of Islam brought by Prophet Mohamed (saws), he is
implying one of two things:
…that
either the Messenger of Allah (saws) did not worship Allah Subhanah
in an absolute perfect manner, or,
…the
person who innovates knows more about the deen and
how to better worship the All Mighty Lord than the Messenger of Allah (saws)!
Innovation,
or addition, or doing some rites of worship ‘extra’ which were not performed,
practiced, or approved by the Messenger of Allah (saws) are sins so heinous in
the sight of Allah Subhanah, that the Messenger of
Allah (saws) said:
Sunan of
Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Hadrat
Ali ibn AbuTalib (r.a.)
That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an
innovation (in religion),
he will be responsible for it.
If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who
introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”
Sahih
Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated
by Hadrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (r.a.)
That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in
the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given
by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil
affairs are the innovations,
and every innovation is an error.”
Q-5: Also I have heard the the dais before were simple and there was no power and
wealth involved in those times. Also they were more approachable. How far is
this true?
Allah
Alone Knows best the condition of the ‘dais’, and the circumstances they lived
under in their times!
Our
concern as believers is to obey and follow the example of the Last Messenger of
Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws); who and how
and when and what the others did should be of little concern, other than
historical knowledge, to those who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.
Q-6: Also can you tell me about
the laaghan we keep on the 10th of Muharram and the
other fasts we keep aside from Ramzaan. Is there any
mention of these fasts by the Prophet (saws)
Abu Hurairah reported: "I asked
the Prophet: 'Which prayer is the best after the obligatory prayers?' He said:
'Prayer during the middle of the night.' I asked: 'Which fast is the best after
the fast of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram.' " This is related by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud.
Ibn 'Abbas reported:
"The Prophet came to Madinah and found the Jews
fasting on the day of 'Ashurah. He said to them: 'What is this fast?' They said: 'A great day. Allah saved
Moses and the tribes of
According to al-Bukhari and Muslim, Musa al-Ash'ari reported:
"The Jews would honor the day of 'Ashurah as an
'id. The Prophet said: 'You [Muslims] are to fast on it.'"
Ibn 'Abbas reported:
"The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashurah
and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said: 'O Messenger of Allah,
it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor.' The Prophet said, 'When the
following year comes--Allah willing--we shall fast on the ninth.' The death of
the Prophet came before the following year." This is recorded by Muslim
and Abu Dawud.
In light
of the above narrations,
a believer may fast in the month of Muharram in any one of the
below manner:
fasting
three days--that is, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram;
fasting
two days on the 9th and 10th;
fasting
two days on the 10th and 11th.
fasting
only on the 10th.
The Holy Quran specifically talks about the prescribed fasts of
Ramadan (Chp2 Surah Baqarah
verses 183-185) , and the fasts which
are to be done as an atonement for deeds like accidental killing (Chp 4 Surah Nisaa
verse 92), breaking of an oath (Chp 5 Surah Maidah
verse 89), etc. The other fasts related
in the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) are:
The Prophet (saws) would fast most of the month of Sha'ban. 'Aishah said: "I
never saw the Messenger of Allah fast a complete month save
for Ramadan, and I have never seen him fast more in a month than he did in
Sha'ban." This is related by Bukhari and Muslim.
Usamah ibn Zaid inquired: "O Messenger of Allah, I never find you
fasting in any month like you do during the month of Sha'ban." The Prophet responded: "That is a month
the people neglect. It comes between
Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in
which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds be
raised while I am fasting." This
is related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i,
and by Ibn Khuzaimah in his
Sahih.
Abu Dharr al-Ghafari
reported: "The Messenger of Allah ordered us to fast for three days of
every month--that is, on the days of the full moon (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of
the lunar month). And he (saws) said: 'It is like fasting the whole year.' " This is related by an-Nasa'i
and by Ibn Hibban.
It is related that the Prophet (saws) would fast on Saturday,
Sunday, and Monday of one month and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the
next month. He would also fast for three days at the beginning of the month, or
on the first Thursday and the next two Mondays of the month.
Abu Hurairah reported that the most the
Prophet (saws) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He (saws) was asked about that and he said:
"The actions are presented (to Allah) on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every believer, except for
those who are boycotting each other."
This is related by Ahmad.
Whatever
written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance,
and whatever of error is of me. Allah
Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your Brother in Islam,
Burhan