Re: black magic
honestly krash.....if the difference in the two situations has to be explained to you then I shall ask Restless to start with preschool level lessons for you privately......
Marmalade,
I think they are suggesting that while you can reach Allah on your own, you can be assured of success if you go through an individual more pious than yourself.
I have heard this reasoning before and while it does make sense.....I don't quite agree that the dua of a momin in pain would be denied the same significance before Allah that the dua of a peer/fakeer would gain. Allah knows best.
I've heard of this too but I've always been told (and this is what I personally believe in) that we all have a direct link with Allah and that if we pray to him directly and sincerely, He listens to and answers our prayers. Isn't Allah the Most Merciful? I don't believe He would snub the sincere prayer of a Muslim in need. Intercession through peers doesn't sit well with me.
See if this helps.
"Your helpers are Almighty Allah and His Rasool and those Muslims who perform Salaah and give alms and make Ruku" (5:55,Koran)
and
"Verily, Allah helps them and Jibril and Saaleh Mumineen and then angels are helpers". ( Surah Al-Tehreem: ayat 4)
and
in hadith
The Holy Prophet (SAW) has stated, "There are certain of Allah's servants that have been set aside to fulfil the necessities of the people. People will call to them in their times of need. They are protected from the punishment of Almighty Allah". (Jame Saghir)
and
Allah says in surah Al-Kahf: (18:28)
"Stay tenaciously in the companionship of those who remember their Lord morning and evening, ardently seeking His pleasure, (keen on the glimpse of His sight and eagerly aspiring to glance at His radiant Countenance). Your (affectionate and caring) looks must not but focus them. Do you seek the charisma of the worldly life (shifting your attention away from these self-denying devotees)? And (also) do not follow him whose heart We have made neglectful of Our remembrance and who follows but the urge of his (ill-commanding self) and his case has exceeded all bounds. "
The verses you've quoted implore Muslims to seek pious Muslims as our friends and allies. But doesn't the Quran encourage us to seek good company because it will be a good influence on us? And that good people will be our wellwishers and will be sincere friends? What makes you think it's because the pious ones will intercede on our behalf? Also, ayah 4 of Surah Tahreem says
**'If you two [wives] repent to Allah , [it is best], for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him - then indeed Allah is his protector, and Gabriel and the righteous of the believers and the angels, moreover, are [his] assistants.' **not the verses you've quoted.
And what about these verses...
'Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.'
(7:55 - 56)
***And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (2:186)
***and this hadith..
*
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), "The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): I supplicated my Rubb but my prayer has not been granted
*[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
*
The narration of Muslim is: "The supplication of a slave continues to be granted as long as he does not supplicate for a sinful thing or for something that would cut off the ties of kinship and he does not grow impatient.'' It was said: "O Messenger of Allah! What does growing impatient mean?'' He (PBUH) said, "It is one's saying:I supplicated again and again but I do not think that my prayer will be answered.' Then he becomes frustrated (in such circumstances) and gives up supplication altogether.
*
If someone sincerely prays to Allah to lift his affliction, Allah will either grant his wish or reward him in the Hereafter.
first,
I went through the questionnaire that is listed at one of those links and after having answered all 156 or so questions I have come to the conclusion that I am, in no uncertain terms, possessed. And so are several people that I am familiar and/or acquainted with.
May Allah help us all.
Which link had the questionnaire? The first link has malware. :(