There are people in the rural areas of Egypt who make vows to the shaykhs with certain foods if some of their livestock are sick or otherwise, and after their recovery
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The questioner : The listener, A.A.B., also from the Arab Republic of Egypt, says that there are people in the rural areas of Egypt who make vows to the shaykhs with certain foods, such as butter, milk, and meat, and others, if some of their livestock are sick or otherwise, and after their recovery they fulfill the vow for this shaykh. So will you guide the servants of Allah, O honorable Shaykh? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : Yes. Making a vow to a shaykh when misfortunes occur, if the misfortunes are removed, is forbidden, because this shaykh has no effect in bringing about benefit or repelling harm, or curing the sick, or otherwise. In fact, this may reach the level of major shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one believes that the shaykh has the power to benefit or harm apart from Allah. The obligatory thing, first, is for the shaykhs to purify themselves from this matter and not to give the common people the impression that they have a secret by which they can cure the sick, even from a distance. They should know that this world is a place of delusion, so let not the life of this world delude them. And Satan may deceive them and make their evil deeds attractive to them. For Satan, as Allah Mighty and Majestic described him in His saying:[Fatir 35:6].
And the common people should stay away from these shaykhs and not be deceived by them. They should know that they are false messiahs and liars who have nothing of the matter. And here is the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the most noble of Allah’s creation.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.
The Shaykh : And the greatest of them in closeness and status with Allah. Allah the Exalted says:[Ali 'Imran 3:128] So what about these false messiahs and liars?
And I direct advice, first, to these shaykhs to fear Allah Mighty and Majestic in themselves and in the servants of Allah.
Then, second, to the people in general, not to be deceived by such people, and to know that they do not possess any benefit or harm for themselves, so how can they possess it for others? If a person wants his sick person to be cured, or to obtain what he seeks, or for a distress to be lifted from him, let him turn to Allah Mighty and Majestic. It is He who answers the distressed when he calls upon Him and removes the evil. It is He who has the power over good, and He is Able to do all things. Let them be sincere with Allah so that they may attain the reward of the truthful, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ahzab 33:24] And so that they may have a firm footing with Allah Mighty and Majestic. Let them know that if they turn to Allah and fear Allah Mighty and Majestic, He will make things easy for them and remove their distresses. Allah the Exalted said: [At-Talaq 65:4] [At-Talaq 65:2-3].
As for clinging to humans like them, it is foolishness in intellect and misguidance in religion. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. Making a vow to a shaykh when misfortunes occur, if the misfortunes are removed, is forbidden, because this shaykh has no effect in bringing about benefit or repelling harm, or curing the sick, or otherwise. In fact, this may reach the level of major shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one believes that the shaykh has the power to benefit or harm apart from Allah. The obligatory thing, first, is for the shaykhs to purify themselves from this matter and not to give the common people the impression that they have a secret by which they can cure the sick, even from a distance. They should know that this world is a place of delusion, so let not the life of this world delude them. And Satan may deceive them and make their evil deeds attractive to them. For Satan, as Allah Mighty and Majestic described him in His saying:
Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.
إِنَّ الشَّيطانَ لَكُم عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذوهُ عَدُوًّا إِنَّما يَدعو حِزبَهُ لِيَكونوا مِن أَصحابِ السَّعيرِAnd the common people should stay away from these shaykhs and not be deceived by them. They should know that they are false messiahs and liars who have nothing of the matter. And here is the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the most noble of Allah’s creation.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers and peace upon him.
The Shaykh : And the greatest of them in closeness and status with Allah. Allah the Exalted says:
Not for you, [O Muhammad, but for Allah], is the decision
ليس لك من الأمر شيءAnd I direct advice, first, to these shaykhs to fear Allah Mighty and Majestic in themselves and in the servants of Allah.
Then, second, to the people in general, not to be deceived by such people, and to know that they do not possess any benefit or harm for themselves, so how can they possess it for others? If a person wants his sick person to be cured, or to obtain what he seeks, or for a distress to be lifted from him, let him turn to Allah Mighty and Majestic. It is He who answers the distressed when he calls upon Him and removes the evil. It is He who has the power over good, and He is Able to do all things. Let them be sincere with Allah so that they may attain the reward of the truthful, as Allah the Exalted said:
That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth
لِيَجزِيَ اللَّهُ الصّادِقينَ بِصِدقِهِمAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.
ومن يتق الله يجعل له من أمره يسراAnd whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out (3) And will provide for him from where he does not expect.
ومن يتق الله يجعل له مخرجا ويرزقه من حيث لا يحتسبAs for clinging to humans like them, it is foolishness in intellect and misguidance in religion. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.