A questioner says: There are some old customs in our village that contain many religious innovations introduced into associating partners with Allah, such as when a person mentions a deceased loved one
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The questioner : There are some old customs in our village that contain many religious innovations introduced into associating partners with Allah, and I seek refuge in Allah from that. For example, when a person mentions a deceased loved one, he immediately lights a fire and places incense at his grave, perfumes it, and illuminates it with a lamp. Also, some people slaughter animals for the graves. And when a person falls ill, they bring him soil from the grave of one of the awliya (close friends of Allah). I have given them some advice and explained to them that this is not permissible and that these are falsehoods that the religion does not approve of, but they did not heed my advice. We ask for your advice and guidance, O honorable Shaykh. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes. The trial of graves is a great trial that has existed since ancient times. Among the actions the questioner mentioned regarding his people, some reach the level of major shirk (associating partners with Allah) that expels one from the religion, such as slaughtering for the people of the graves. This is because slaughtering is one of the greatest acts of worship, and Allah the Exalted paired it with prayer in His saying:[Al-Kawthar 108:2] and His saying: [Al-An'am 6:162] So directing it to other than Allah is major shirk, because whoever directs any part of worship to other than Allah is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah). It is not hidden from most Muslims that the mushrik is eternally in the Fire and his deeds are nullified. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-An'am 6:88] and He said: [Al-Ma'idah 5:72].
As for seeking blessing from their soil and believing that any du'a' (supplication) to Allah the Glorious and Exalted made at their graves is better, this does not reach the level of shirk, unless it is accompanied by a belief that leads to shirk, in which case it becomes shirk. Likewise, lighting fires and pouring perfume on their graves, all of this is among the matters that are disliked and that every Muslim must avoid.
Then these people must know that the deceased is the one who was alive, whom they knew, and they know that he was like them, possessing no power to benefit or harm himself. He is even closer to being unable to benefit after death, because he died and became a corpse that cannot even defend himself. If someone went to the grave, dug it up, and burned it, he would not be able to defend himself. So how can he benefit others! And in his grave, he is unable to make du'a' for anyone or to intercede for anyone, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1631 And his du'a' is an action, and the implication of this hadith is that it ceased with his death. It is also not possible for him to intercede, because Allah says: [Al-Baqarah 2:255] So people clinging to the people of the graves is undoubtedly misguidance.
And when a person is struck by calamities, he must turn to Allah the Exalted and Glorified. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:53] So a Muslim should not turn to anyone but Allah the Glorious and Exalted when calamities strike. My advice to these people is to fear Allah the Glorious and Exalted, to repent from what has occurred from them, to warn their brothers from falling into it, and to turn to their Lord the Exalted and Glorified in all their circumstances, for [At-Talaq 65:3]. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. The trial of graves is a great trial that has existed since ancient times. Among the actions the questioner mentioned regarding his people, some reach the level of major shirk (associating partners with Allah) that expels one from the religion, such as slaughtering for the people of the graves. This is because slaughtering is one of the greatest acts of worship, and Allah the Exalted paired it with prayer in His saying:
So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْSay, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَBut if they had associated others with Allah, then worthless for them would be whatever they were doing.
وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَIndeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.
إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍAs for seeking blessing from their soil and believing that any du'a' (supplication) to Allah the Glorious and Exalted made at their graves is better, this does not reach the level of shirk, unless it is accompanied by a belief that leads to shirk, in which case it becomes shirk. Likewise, lighting fires and pouring perfume on their graves, all of this is among the matters that are disliked and that every Muslim must avoid.
Then these people must know that the deceased is the one who was alive, whom they knew, and they know that he was like them, possessing no power to benefit or harm himself. He is even closer to being unable to benefit after death, because he died and became a corpse that cannot even defend himself. If someone went to the grave, dug it up, and burned it, he would not be able to defend himself. So how can he benefit others! And in his grave, he is unable to make du'a' for anyone or to intercede for anyone, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious child, who prays for him (for the deceased).
إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاثة، إلا من صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهWho is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِAnd when a person is struck by calamities, he must turn to Allah the Exalted and Glorified. Allah the Exalted said:
And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.
وَمَا بِكُمْ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْأَرُونَwhoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him
مَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you.