There are also, in some other Islamic and Arab countries, if one wants to come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and especially if he wants to pass through
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The questioner : There are also, in some other Islamic and Arab countries, if a person wants to come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and especially if he wants to pass through or intend the Haram, some people say to him, “Read for us Surat al-Fatihah for the soul of Muhammad.” What is the ruling on this statement, and what is the ruling on reading al-Fatihah in this context as well?
The Shaykh : The answer is that this is also among the religious innovations (bid'ah) introduced by the ignorant in the religion of Allah. The righteous Salaf never did this. None of them, when he traveled to Madinah, would have his companion say to him, “Read for us al-Fatihah for the soul of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him),” or “Greet the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) for us,” or anything similar to that. Rather, this is among the religious innovations introduced by some of the ignorant. Offering the reward of good deeds to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is also a religious innovation, even if it is not in this form. Even if a person prays two rak'ahs or gives two dirhams in charity and intends the reward of that for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it is still a religious innovation, because the righteous Salaf did not do it. This is due to a short-sightedness, for the one who offers the reward of this good deed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not mean by his offering anything other than depriving himself of the reward of this deed, depriving the doer of the reward of this deed. Otherwise, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has the reward of what you did, whether you offered it to him or not, because he, peace and blessings be upon him, is the one who guided his Ummah to good, and he is the one who has the reward of the doers. So whoever guides to good has a reward like that of the doer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And so, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not need anything from our deeds to be offered to him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Every good deed by which we draw near to Allah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has a share of our rewards. And so, there is no need for offering. The meaning of offering in this case is that the doer has only deprived himself of the reward of this deed.
The questioner : Yes, you have done well. In fact, you referred to the second issue, which is greeting the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Shaykh : The answer is that this is also among the religious innovations (bid'ah) introduced by the ignorant in the religion of Allah. The righteous Salaf never did this. None of them, when he traveled to Madinah, would have his companion say to him, “Read for us al-Fatihah for the soul of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him),” or “Greet the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) for us,” or anything similar to that. Rather, this is among the religious innovations introduced by some of the ignorant. Offering the reward of good deeds to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is also a religious innovation, even if it is not in this form. Even if a person prays two rak'ahs or gives two dirhams in charity and intends the reward of that for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), it is still a religious innovation, because the righteous Salaf did not do it. This is due to a short-sightedness, for the one who offers the reward of this good deed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not mean by his offering anything other than depriving himself of the reward of this deed, depriving the doer of the reward of this deed. Otherwise, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has the reward of what you did, whether you offered it to him or not, because he, peace and blessings be upon him, is the one who guided his Ummah to good, and he is the one who has the reward of the doers. So whoever guides to good has a reward like that of the doer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And so, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) does not need anything from our deeds to be offered to him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Every good deed by which we draw near to Allah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has a share of our rewards. And so, there is no need for offering. The meaning of offering in this case is that the doer has only deprived himself of the reward of this deed.
The questioner : Yes, you have done well. In fact, you referred to the second issue, which is greeting the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).