The question concerns a subject or phenomenon known as *darwishah*, practiced by some people who claim that their lineage traces back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
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The questioner : The question concerns a subject or phenomenon known as *darwishah*, practiced by some people who claim that their lineage traces back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). These individuals harm themselves by striking them with firearms and bladed weapons in front of a gathering of people, without suffering any harm or bleeding from their bodies. Is this a *karamah* (miracle granted to a righteous person), or is it sorcery? Is there a noble Prophetic hadith or a Qur'anic text that establishes this? And does this phenomenon exist in other Islamic countries?
The Shaykh : This question is, in fact, about *darwishah*. First, the claim of these *darwish* that they are related to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is not accepted unless proven by historical evidence. Even if we were to accept this claim, many men would claim it. Their claim that they are of the Prophet’s (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) lineage is not acceptable until they prove it by the proper methods by which such matters are established. As for their striking themselves with iron or other materials and not being affected by it, this does not indicate their truthfulness, nor that they are among the *awliya* (close friends of Allah), nor that this is a *karamah* (miracle granted to a righteous person) for them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Rather, this is one of the types of sorcery by which they bewitch people’s eyes. Sorcery occurs in such cases and others. When Moses (peace be upon him) faced the sorcerers of Pharaoh, they threw down their ropes and staffs, and through their sorcery, it was made to appear as if they were moving and were snakes and vipers. As Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Al-A'raf 7:116] Therefore, what they do is undoubtedly a type of sorcery and not a *karamah* (miracle granted to a righteous person). Know, O questioner, that a *karamah* (miracle granted to a righteous person) is not granted except to the *awliya* (close friends of Allah) of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The *awliya* (close friends of Allah) of Allah the Exalted are those who were upright upon His religion, and they are those whom Allah described in His saying: [Yunus 10:62-63] Not everyone who claims to be a *wali* (close friend of Allah) is a *wali* (close friend of Allah), otherwise everyone would claim it. However, this claimant of *wilayah* (friendship with Allah) is weighed by his actions. If his actions are based on faith and *taqwa* (mindfulness of Allah), then he is a *wali* (close friend of Allah). But merely claiming to be among the *awliya* (close friends of Allah) is not *taqwa* (mindfulness of Allah) of Allah the Exalted, because Allah the Exalted says: [An-Najm 53:32] If he claims to be among the *awliya* (close friends of Allah), he has certified himself as righteous, and in that case, he falls into disobedience to Allah in what Allah has forbidden. This contradicts *taqwa* (mindfulness of Allah). Therefore, the *awliya* (close friends of Allah) do not certify themselves with such testimony. Rather, they believe in Allah, fear Him, and carry out His obedience in the best manner, and they do not mislead and deceive people with this claim so that they lead them astray from the path of Allah. Yes.
The questioner : This questioner, A B T from Dammam, sent a question.
The Shaykh : This question is, in fact, about *darwishah*. First, the claim of these *darwish* that they are related to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is not accepted unless proven by historical evidence. Even if we were to accept this claim, many men would claim it. Their claim that they are of the Prophet’s (may Allah’s prayer and peace be upon him) lineage is not acceptable until they prove it by the proper methods by which such matters are established. As for their striking themselves with iron or other materials and not being affected by it, this does not indicate their truthfulness, nor that they are among the *awliya* (close friends of Allah), nor that this is a *karamah* (miracle granted to a righteous person) for them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Rather, this is one of the types of sorcery by which they bewitch people’s eyes. Sorcery occurs in such cases and others. When Moses (peace be upon him) faced the sorcerers of Pharaoh, they threw down their ropes and staffs, and through their sorcery, it was made to appear as if they were moving and were snakes and vipers. As Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck terror into them, and they presented a great [feat of] magic.
سَحَرُوا أَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ وَاسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَاءُوا بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ(62) Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve (63) Those who believed and were fearing Allah
أَلا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ * الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَSo do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.
فَلا تُزَكُّوا أَنفُسَكُمْ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقَىThe questioner : This questioner, A B T from Dammam, sent a question.