Exaggeration in the love of the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): What is its ruling?
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The questioner : From this, O honorable Shaykh, I truly ask and say: What is the ruling on exaggeration in the love of the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The Shaykh : Yes. Exaggeration in the love of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) means that a person exceeds the limits and claims that this is part of loving the Messenger. This is forbidden, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited exaggeration regarding him. Moreover, the one who exaggerates in the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and elevates him above the status Allah (Mighty and Majestic) assigned to him, while claiming to love him, has lied to himself. For the one who loves takes the advice of his beloved, follows his beloved, and does not contradict his beloved. The one who exaggerates regarding the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So how can he claim to love the Messenger while he disobeys the Messenger? Therefore, we say that the one who follows the Messenger most strictly is the most sincere in love, and the one who contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) has diminished his love for the Messenger to the extent of his contradiction. Do not be deceived by these exaggerators who exaggerate regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and fabricate hadiths that have no chain of transmission; rather, they are known necessarily from the religion of Islam to be fabricated and false. Do not be deceived by these people, and say to them as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:[Ali 'Imran 3:31].
As for reciting sad poems, shaking heads in response to them, clapping, and frivolity, under the claim that this is part of honoring the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), all of this contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and contradicts his guidance. If you are sincere in your love for him (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him), then you must follow him. Do not fall short of him and do not exceed him. For all good is in following, and all evil is in innovation. If you wish to weigh your deeds with a just scale, look to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who are closer to the truth than others and closer to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) than others, for they lived with him and supported him, and Allah (the Exalted) honored them with his companionship. Did they do this deed? If they did it, they are on the right path. If they did not do it, it is invalid, for it is not possible for the later generations of the Ummah to be better than the earliest generations of the Ummah. How is that possible when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 3651.
Beware of the innovations introduced into the religion of Allah whose essence is exaggeration regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). Then recall the saying of Allah (the Exalted):[At-Tawbah 9:100]. The pleasure of Allah in the followers is not achieved unless they follow with excellence. Following with excellence is that a person does not fall short of their guidance and does not exceed their guidance. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Yes. Exaggeration in the love of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) means that a person exceeds the limits and claims that this is part of loving the Messenger. This is forbidden, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited exaggeration regarding him. Moreover, the one who exaggerates in the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and elevates him above the status Allah (Mighty and Majestic) assigned to him, while claiming to love him, has lied to himself. For the one who loves takes the advice of his beloved, follows his beloved, and does not contradict his beloved. The one who exaggerates regarding the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So how can he claim to love the Messenger while he disobeys the Messenger? Therefore, we say that the one who follows the Messenger most strictly is the most sincere in love, and the one who contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) has diminished his love for the Messenger to the extent of his contradiction. Do not be deceived by these exaggerators who exaggerate regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and fabricate hadiths that have no chain of transmission; rather, they are known necessarily from the religion of Islam to be fabricated and false. Do not be deceived by these people, and say to them as Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you
قُل إِن كُنتُم تُحِبّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعوني يُحبِبكُمُ اللَّهُAs for reciting sad poems, shaking heads in response to them, clapping, and frivolity, under the claim that this is part of honoring the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), all of this contradicts the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and contradicts his guidance. If you are sincere in your love for him (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him), then you must follow him. Do not fall short of him and do not exceed him. For all good is in following, and all evil is in innovation. If you wish to weigh your deeds with a just scale, look to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who are closer to the truth than others and closer to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) than others, for they lived with him and supported him, and Allah (the Exalted) honored them with his companionship. Did they do this deed? If they did it, they are on the right path. If they did not do it, it is invalid, for it is not possible for the later generations of the Ummah to be better than the earliest generations of the Ummah. How is that possible when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
The best people are those living in my generation, and then those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the latter
خير الناس قرني ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهمBeware of the innovations introduced into the religion of Allah whose essence is exaggeration regarding the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). Then recall the saying of Allah (the Exalted):
And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him
وَالسّابِقونَ الأَوَّلونَ مِنَ المُهاجِرينَ وَالأَنصارِ وَالَّذينَ اتَّبَعوهُم بِإِحسانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنهُم وَرَضوا عَنهُThe questioner : May Allah reward you.