A Response to Haazer Naazer and other Beliefs of Kufr and Shirk

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Innal hamdalillaah was-salaat was-salaam ‘aala rasoolillaah.

With so many threads opened in refutation to my one, ‘It is Kufr and Shirk to Believe …’, I was spoilt for choice as to which one to address. However, whether I was to reply to each one individually or initiate a new thread in encompassing my response to them all, my message will still remain the same Insha’Allaah.

Without doubt this is a sensitive topic for many, and the man is by nature an emotional being, but we should always remember not to allow our emotions control our judgement in matters of the Deen. This is of extreme importance, particularly when one is searching for the truth.

It brings me no pleasure in debating, but enjoining in the good and forbidding the evil is something we are all required to do as Muslims. However, in order to encourage the good we need to know it, and in order to forbid the evil we need to recognise it and steer clear of it when it reaches us. In all honesty a confrontation of discourse can go on for days, weeks and even longer without achieving any kind of mutual agreement. Therefore such an exchange of words should be carried out in complete sincerity where both parties should be willing to accept the truth when clear evidence and proof is established. The Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was asked by one of the companions what is arrogance? And his salaatu-wa-salaam’s response was “… when the truth is brought forward and it is rejected.”

… May Allaah give us all the tawfeeq to understand His beautiful Deen and accept the truth when it reaches us through His Mercy.

To proceed, just a quick recap first of the original thread for reference. It is Kufr and Shirk to believe …

1. Allaah is everywhere in terms of existence!
2. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is not human!
3. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did not die and he is ‘Haazer and Naazer’ (continues to attend and see)!
4. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam knows the ‘Ghaib’ (unseen)!
5. And to say ‘Yaa Muhammad, Yaa Ali, or Yaa Husain’, or to say ‘Madad yaa Rasool-lallaah’ or ‘Madad ya Jilaani’ or ‘Yaa Ghauth Aazam’!!!
6. Or to say: “Nahno Ibaada Muhammad” (we are slaves of Muhammad)! Astaghfirullaah.

These were the points made. However, neither of the threads that were opened in response addressed clearly the verses of the Qur’aan that had been presented to falsify the above beliefs and practices.

With regards to the 6 points made above, not any of the Companions of the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam interpreted or understood the verses of the Qur’aan in such a manner, nor did they hold such beliefs and nor did they worship Allaah subhaan wa ta’aala in such ways.

I was not confronted on grounds of the first statement, so Insha’Allaah I trust that it can be agreed upon that such a belief is kufr.

2. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is not human!

In the case of the second, point 2, then the following verses will reject such a belief:

“Say (O Muhammad): “I don’t tell you that with me are the treasures of Allaah, nor that I know the unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an ANGEL. I but follow what is revealed to me by inspiration.”” [Soorah al-An’aam 6:50]

[Please Notice: the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was not an angel, then how could he be light?]

“Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a MAN like you, [except that] I receive revelation …” [Soorah al-Kahf 18:110]

[Please Notice: the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was only a man like us and as it was declared in the preceding verse he was not an angel, then how could he be light?]

“we will put no faith in your ascension until you bring down for us a book that we would read. “Say [O Muhammad] (Subhaan’allaah!) Glorified and Exalted be my Lord (Allaah) Am I anything but a MAN, sent as a Messenger?”” [Soorah al-Isra 17:93]

[Please Note: again this verse teaches us that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was only a man].

“And nothing prevented men from believing when the Guidance came to them, except that they said: “Has Allaah sent a MAN as (His) Messenger?”” [Soorah al-Isra 17:94]

[Please Notice: the rejectors’ argument was that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was HUMAN!]

And finally: “Say (O Muhammad) I am but a MAN like yourselves; the revelation has come to me that your Lord is One.” [Soorah Fussilat 41:6]

[Please Note: the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was only a man like us except he received revelation and, SURELY HE WAS NOT LIGHT]

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*3. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did not die and he is ‘Haazer and Naazer’ (continues to attend and see)! *

This argument is based on versus such as the following and its like:

“Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness, as bearer of Glad Tidings, and as a Warner.” [Soorah al-Fath 48:8]

They use their interpretation to prove that HAAZIR NAAZIR, which means that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is alive, attends their circles, listens to answers their prayers, blesses them, and prays with them (behind their Imaam) etc. Subhaan’Allaah! Without doubt the philosophy of these people is denial to what Al-Qur’aan speaks regarding this issue. Allaah Subhaan’wa ta’aala has clearly declared in the Qur’aan that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam shall die like any man:

“And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad) then if you die, would they live forever? Everyone is going to taste death …” [Soorah al-Anbiya 21:34-35]

Moreover, Allaah subhaan wa ta’aala declared that:

“Everything will perish except His face. His is the decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned” [Soorah al-Qasas 28:88]

And Allaah has also declared specifically about the prophet Muhammad salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam in the following verse, that:

“Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die and verily, they (too) will die” [Soorah az-Zumar 39:30]

Thus, after all that has been declared by Allaah subhaan wa ta’aala, who can declare or claim that the Prophet Muhammad salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is alive, living a life that can affect us in any way?

And finally, to say that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did not die, is in fact in total agreement to what the Caliph and Companion Abu Bakr, radhi’allaahu ‘anhu, in his famous speech said:

No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die." Then he recited Allah's statement: "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." [Soorah az-Zumar 39.30]
He also recited: "Muhammad is no more than an Apostle; and indeed many Apostles have passed away, before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then Turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least Harm will he do to Allah And Allah will give reward to those Who are grateful." [Soorah Aali Imraan 3:144]

As for the Qur’aanic verse (from Soorah al-Baqarah, 154) which those people use to use in the ingredient of their claim, then the Khaleefah Abu Bakr had for sure come across this Qur’aanic verse, which says:

“And say not of those who are killed in the Way of Allaah, ‘They are dead’. Nay, they are living, but you perceive (it) not.”

The best of the Companions, Abu Bakr radhi’allaahu anhu was intelligent enough to notice that, if those who are killed in the way of Allaah are living, then what about the Prophet of Allaah, salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam? Should he not take priority in this kind of privilage? Why would Abu Bakr announce the death of the Prophet salalallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to the public without any fear that someone would stand up with this Ayah (verse) to tell him that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam did not die? Would we know it better than Abu Bakr and the rest of the Companions radhi’allaahu anhum?

By Allaah who would dare, in the first place, including Abu Bakr, to succeed the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (as his Caliph), had the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam not died? Why would Hazrat Ali and Muaawiya disagree with one another when they could consult and seek the aid of the living prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam? Why did Hazrat Uthmaan face problems that he had faced (during his Caliphate) if it was possible for him to seek aid of the living Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam? Why not seek his help, since he, salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as those people claim, is alive and can listen to the people, answer them and bless them?

This would mean that the Companions of the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam would have no choice but to refer to him whenever they were faced with difficulties or had any disagreement or problems.

Finally on this point, regarding what the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said in the authentic Hadeeth: “Should anyone say ‘Salaam upon me Allaah RETURNS BACK my soul to reply back.” [Abu Huraira, related by Abu-Dawood, Albaihaqi, and others].

If he, salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam is alive, then his soul should be residing in his body in the first place and it would not need to be returned back, but he said that: “Allaah RETURNS BACK my soul to reply back.” According to this hadeeth, his soul is not residing in his body originally (that is why it needs to be returned back). And subsequently, if his soul is not there originally then it cannot be claimed that he is living like us, since to live our life the soul needs to be permanently and constantly in the body. But he salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also explained how he hears someone when he/she says salaam upon him, in an authentic Hadeeth, narrated by Ibn Masood, who said that the Prophet of Allaah, said that:

“Allaah, the Exalted, has travelling Angels on the earth, who CONVEY to me the ‘SALAAM sent from my Ummah.” [related by Ahmad, Ibn Habbaan, an-Nisaaei, Al-Haakim, and others]. Therefore the Barzakh (interspace life) is a different life and no evidence indicates or even insinuates that the Prophet is living a life that enable him to be haazer-naazer and to hide behind the Mehrab of our Mosques and hear us as some claim!

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*4. Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam knows the ‘Ghaib’ (unseen)! *

Those who believe this are wrong in this kind of belief which clearly contradicts the Qur’aan and it is a denial to the following very explicit verse of the Holy Qur’aan:

“Say (O Muhammad): “I don’t tell you that with me are the treasures of Allaah, nor that I know the unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by inspiration.”” [Soorah al-An’aam 6:50]

In this verse alone, Allaah subhaan wa ta’aala made it very clear that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was not an angel, and he did not know the unseen and what he was receiving was solely a REVELATION – NOT THE GHAIB (UNSEEN).

In the same chapter, Allaah subhaan’wa ta’aala has declared this fact clearly by saying:

“Say: “If I had that which you are asking for impatiently (the torment), the matter would have been settled at once between me and you, but Allaah knows best the polytheists and wrong-doers …, And with Him are the keys of the GHAIB (all that is hidden), none knows them but He …” [Soorah al-An’aam 6:58-59]

“Say: “None in the heavens and the earth knows the [GHAIB] unseen except Allaah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.”” [Soorah an-Naml 27:65]

“Say (O Muhammad): “I know not whether (the punishment) which you are promised is near or whether my Lord will appoint for it a distant term. He (alone) knows the unseen. He does not make anyone acquainted with His GHAIB (mysteries). Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of the unseen as much as He likes)” [Soorah al-Jinn 72:25-27]

[Please note the exception, the Messenger (from mankind) whom Allaah has chosen can know the unseen only as much as that which Allaah, subhaan wa ta’aala, revealed to him and that is in terms of wahi (revelation), of course]

However, to claim that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to or continued to know the Ghaib (unseen), is denial to both what Allaah subhaan’wa ta’aala has said and what his Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam declared. Abdullaah Ibn Umar, radh’allaahu ‘anhu, said that the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

“the keys of the Ghaib (unseen – all that are hidden) are five, none knows them but Allaah” [then He salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam recited the following verse:] “Verily, Allaah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows n what land he will die. Verily, Allaah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things).” [Soorah Luqmaan 31:34, hadeeth in Sahih Bukhaari, Vol 6 no. 151].

In this hadeeth and verse Allaah and His Messenger, together, have explicitly defined the matter of the Ghaib (unseen) and left nothing for the guessing neither has there been left a choice for the intellectualists.

“Say (O Muhammad): “I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah wills. If I had the knowledge of the ‘Ghaib’, I should have secured for myself abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.”” [Soorah al-Ar’aaf 7:188]

Exactly! If the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam had the knowledge of the Ghaib, his forehead, for example, would not have been hurt, his lower lip would not have been injured and his lower right side teeth would not have been broken by Utba Ibn Abi-Waqqaas, and by Ibn Qum’ah in the Battlefield of Uhud!

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*5. And to say ‘Yaa Muhammad, Yaa Ali, or Yaa Husain’, or to say ‘Madad yaa Rasool-lallaah’ or ‘Madad ya Jilaani’ or ‘Yaa Ghauth Aazam’!!! *

In the opening chapter of the Qur’aan which is recited in every raka’aah of every prayer, we have the verse:

“It is You we worship and You we ask for help.” [Soorah al-Faatihah 1:5]

“and I will leave you and those you invoke other than Allaah and will invoke my Lord. I expect that I will not be in invocation to my Lord unhappy *.” [Soorah Maryum 19:48]

“Say: “Invoke those you have claimed [as gods] besides Him for they do not posses the [ability for] removal of adversity from you or [for its] transfer [to someone else].”” [Soorah al-Isra’ 17:56]

“And who is more stray than he who invokes besides Allaah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection *, and they, of their invocation, are unaware.” [Soorah al-Ahqaaf 46:5]

As for those who argue that we say ‘Yaa’ in the tashahud (sitting) of the prayer, then as I mentioned in a previous thread, this should not be the case:

Ibn Masood said, “The Messenger (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) taught me the tashahud, [with] my palm between his palms, the way he taught me Soorahs of the Qur’aan:
Attayaato lillaahhi wa salawwatu wa toyebaatu, Assallaamu ‘alaika AYYOHAANABEEYO (peace be on you O Prophet) ...
[This was while he was among us, but after he was taken away, we would say “Assalaamu ‘ALANNABEE (peace be on the Prophet)]

Bukhaari, Muslim, Ibn Abi Shaibah (1/90/2), Siraaj & Abu Yalaa in his Musnad (258/2). It is given in Irwaa' (321).
Ibn Masood's statement, "We said: Peace be on the Prophet" clarifies that the Companions (radi Allaahu anhum) used to say, "Peace be on you, O Prophet" in tashahhud while the Prophet (sallallaahualaihi wa sallam) was alive, but when he died, they ceased to do that, instead saying, "Peace be on the Prophet". Undoubtedly, this was with the endorsement of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam); this is supported by the fact thatAa'ishah (radi Allaahu `anhaa) would similarly teach the tashahhud in prayer with "Peace be on the Prophet", as transmitted by Siraaj in his Musnad (9/1/2) & Mukhlis in al-Fawaa'id (11/54/1) with two saheeh isnaads from her.

Ibn Hajar says, "This addition shows clearly that they used to say 'Peace be on you, O Prophet', addressing him directly during his life, but when the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) died, they stopped addressing him and mentioned him in the third person instead, saying 'Peace be on the Prophet'." He also says in a different place, "Subki said in Sharh al-Minhaaj, after mentioning this narration from AbuAwaanah only, 'If this is authentically-reported from the Companions, it proves that after his time, it is not compulsory to address the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) directly in the greeting of peace, so one says: Peace be on the Prophet.' (Ibn Hajar continues): This is authentic without doubt (i.e. because it is established in Sahih al-Bukhaari ), and I have also found strong support for it:-Abdur Razzaaq said: Ibn Juraij informed me: Ataa' informed me that the Companions used to say 'Peace be on you, O Prophet' while the Prophet (sallallaahualaihi wa sallam) was alive, but after he died, they would say 'Peace be on the Prophet', and this is a saheeh isnaad.

As for Saeed bin Mansoor's narration from AbuUbaidah bin Abdullaah bin Masood, who reported from his father that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) taught them the tashahhud, and then he (Abdullaah bin Masood) said it (the tashahhud); IbnAbbaas said: We used to say 'Peace be on you, O Prophet' only while he was alive, to which Ibn Masood replied, 'This is how we were taught, and this is how we teach it', it would appear that IbnAbbaas said this as a matter of discussion but Ibn Masood did not accept. However, the narration of Abu Mamar (i.e. the narration of Bukhaari ) is more authentic, since Abu Ubaidah did not hear (ahaadeeth) from his father, and furthermore, the isnaad up to AbuUbaidah is weak." (End of quote from Ibn Hajar)
These words of Ibn Hajar have been quoted by several scholars in their analysis, e.g. Qastalaani, Zarqaani, Lucknowi, etc. They all chose to give his words without commenting further.**

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*6. Or to say: “Nahno Ibaada Muhammad” (we are slaves of Muhammad)! Astaghfirullaah. *

“It is not for a human [prophet] that Allaah should give him the scripture and authority and prophethood and then would say to the people, “Be servants to me rather than Allaah”, but [instead he would say], “Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the scripture and because of what you have studied.” [Soorah Aali-Imraan 3:79]

“Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.” [Soorah al-Kahf 18:102]

I’m sorry this has been a long read, but many of the most direct proofs had to be presented, as this issue is not a small matter. Tawheed is the most fundamental principles of our religion, yet so often we do not look into it and investigate it as enthusiastically as we spend time pursuing other worldly matters – what stocks and shares will I benefit from? What are the statistics of such and such team or such and such player? How many songs has such a singer sang or what movies has a particular actor acted in etc etc.

To hold an incorrect ‘aqeedah (belief) is most dangerous as it can easily lead someone beyond the fold of Islaam if he/she continuously tread such a path other than that of the Prophet salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam and his companions. And let it be reminded, to blindly follow the ways of our forefathers without justification is also something we will be questioned on upon the Day of Judgement.

There is nothing more painful and upsetting to see injustice and to see another Muslim going astray. Alhough Allaah alone is the One who guides, there needs to be an individually sincere effort to learn the Religion and adhere to it. And you cannot expect to help others until you’ve saved yourself. We do not want to be cast into the Hell Fire for mistakes we can correct today. So please don’t leave it too late, because not a single one of us knows when death will catch up nor can we determine our destiny. Neither have any of us been guaranteed a place in Paradise. We have to earn that right and time is running out ….

… And Allaah knows best.

May Allaah help us and All the Muslims to attain a sound understanding of the religion, and that He favours us all by guiding us to the Sunnah and causing us to be aware of bid’ah (innovation in the religion). May Allaah subhaan wa ta’aala help us to cling to the Sunnah of His beloved messenger Muhammad salallaahu ‘alaihi was sallam and make us from amongst the successful people to experience His bounties and pleasures of Paradise. Indeed He is the Most Generous, the Most Kind. And may the salaah and salaam (Allaah’s praises and blessings of peace) be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his Family, his Companions and his followers.

Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds.

[This message has been edited by Hasnain (edited July 08, 1999).]

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Asalaamu alaikum,

That was really very interesting...Jazaak Allah Khairun.

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...and, Brother Hasnain, I appreciate your humility, Maash'Allah.