Do we ask the one who circumambulates the grave whether he believes in that, or do we say this is shirk (associating partners with Allah) directly?
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The questioner : My intention, O Shaykh, is whether we say we ask the circumambulator whether he believes or not, or whether the apparent action is shirk (associating partners with Allah) and that is the end of it?
The Shaykh : Ah, this question arises when the hudud (fixed Qur'anic punishments) are to be established against him, because with this action he becomes an apostate. So, if there is one who establishes the hudud, meaning the killing of the apostate, at that time this person is brought and he is invited to repent. He is not asked, "Do you believe or do you not believe?" because his action is proof of his belief. Rather, he is invited to repent after the argument is established against him that this circumambulation is for the House of Allah only, as worship and submission to Allah, just like prostration; there is no difference. So, if a person prostrates to his Shaykh or his ruler, he is not asked, "Why are you prostrating? Do you believe that this person deserves magnification?" because his action indicates magnification. But he is invited to repent; if he repents, otherwise he is killed. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, as you know: So prostration is a sign of magnification; there is no need for us to ask why you are prostrating. But we need to make him understand that this prostration is shirk (associating partners with Allah) with Allah for the one you magnify by the same means by which you magnify your Lord. So either you desist, or before you, God forbid, is killing.
And the reason for this last hadith is that Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Sham in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he was absent from him (peace and blessings be upon him) for a period. Then, when he came to Madinah and his gaze fell upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he wanted to prostrate to him, so he said to him, "Wait, O Mu'adh." He said, "O Messenger of Allah, I came to Sham and I found the Christians prostrating to their priests and their great men, so I saw that you are more worthy of prostration than they are." So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the previous hadith: But prostration is not appropriate except for Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He).
So, whether one prostrates to other than Allah, or circumambulates other than the House of Allah, we have no need to ask him what he means, "Do you believe that this deserves worship?" He will say, "No, I do not believe," because he does not understand worship. But we establish the argument against him and make him understand that this is shirk (associating partners with Allah) in a part of tawhid (the oneness of Allah). The first we mentioned is rububiyyah (oneness of lordship), and the second is worship or uluhiyyah (oneness of worship). If he responds, and that is what we desire, then that is good and excellent. Otherwise, he is killed for disbelief and is not buried in the graves of the Muslims.
The Shaykh : Ah, this question arises when the hudud (fixed Qur'anic punishments) are to be established against him, because with this action he becomes an apostate. So, if there is one who establishes the hudud, meaning the killing of the apostate, at that time this person is brought and he is invited to repent. He is not asked, "Do you believe or do you not believe?" because his action is proof of his belief. Rather, he is invited to repent after the argument is established against him that this circumambulation is for the House of Allah only, as worship and submission to Allah, just like prostration; there is no difference. So, if a person prostrates to his Shaykh or his ruler, he is not asked, "Why are you prostrating? Do you believe that this person deserves magnification?" because his action indicates magnification. But he is invited to repent; if he repents, otherwise he is killed. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, as you know:
If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone, I would command the wife to prostrate to her husband, because of the greatness of his right over her.
لو كنت آمرًا أحد أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت الزوجة أن تسجد لزوجها لعظم حقه عليهاAnd the reason for this last hadith is that Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Sham in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he was absent from him (peace and blessings be upon him) for a period. Then, when he came to Madinah and his gaze fell upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he wanted to prostrate to him, so he said to him, "Wait, O Mu'adh." He said, "O Messenger of Allah, I came to Sham and I found the Christians prostrating to their priests and their great men, so I saw that you are more worthy of prostration than they are." So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the previous hadith:
If I were to command anyone to prostrate to anyone, I would command the wife to prostrate to her husband, because of the greatness of his right over her.
لو كنت آمرًا أحد أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت الزوجة أن تسجد لزوجها لعظم حقه عليهاSo, whether one prostrates to other than Allah, or circumambulates other than the House of Allah, we have no need to ask him what he means, "Do you believe that this deserves worship?" He will say, "No, I do not believe," because he does not understand worship. But we establish the argument against him and make him understand that this is shirk (associating partners with Allah) in a part of tawhid (the oneness of Allah). The first we mentioned is rububiyyah (oneness of lordship), and the second is worship or uluhiyyah (oneness of worship). If he responds, and that is what we desire, then that is good and excellent. Otherwise, he is killed for disbelief and is not buried in the graves of the Muslims.