What is the forbidden seeking of blessing, and how do we interpret the actions of some of the Salaf in seeking blessing, such as Ibn Kathir’s statement in *Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya* regarding the death of the Shaykh al-Islam, that the people would enter and kiss him and recite the Qur'an at his head?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : He asks: What is the forbidden seeking of blessing, and how do we interpret the actions of some of the Salaf in seeking blessing, such as Ibn Kathir’s statement in *Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya* regarding the death of the Shaykh al-Islam, that the people would enter and kiss him and recite the Qur'an at his head?
The Shaykh : As for kissing the deceased, there is nothing wrong with it, because Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), when he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), uncovered his face and kissed him, and said:.
As for seeking blessing from him by touching him, or touching his clothes, or touching his head or his hair, this is a religious innovation (bid'ah), except for one person only: who is he? The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The Companions used to seek blessing from him (peace and blessings be upon him) and they affirmed them in doing so. As for anyone other than the Messenger, one does not seek blessing from him.
Now, if someone were to say: I seek blessing from his gatherings because he is a man who loves good and teaches people in his gatherings and reminds them of Allah.
We would say: Here, the blessing is not in the person himself, but in his knowledge. Yes.
The Shaykh : As for kissing the deceased, there is nothing wrong with it, because Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), when he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), uncovered his face and kissed him, and said:
I sacrifice my father and mother for you, and by Allah, Allah will not gather two deaths for you. As for the first death, you have already died it.
بأبي أنت وأمي والله لا يجمع الله عليك ميتتين أما الميتة الأولى فقد متهاAs for seeking blessing from him by touching him, or touching his clothes, or touching his head or his hair, this is a religious innovation (bid'ah), except for one person only: who is he? The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The Companions used to seek blessing from him (peace and blessings be upon him) and they affirmed them in doing so. As for anyone other than the Messenger, one does not seek blessing from him.
Now, if someone were to say: I seek blessing from his gatherings because he is a man who loves good and teaches people in his gatherings and reminds them of Allah.
We would say: Here, the blessing is not in the person himself, but in his knowledge. Yes.