What is the ruling on one who circumambulates a dome or a shrine while ignorant of the ruling? Does he become a polytheist committing major shirk, eternally in the Fire, and what is obligatory upon him?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on one who circumambulates a dome or a shrine while ignorant of the ruling? Does he become a polytheist committing major shirk, eternally in the Fire, and what is obligatory upon him? May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Circumambulating graves and the structures built over them is divided into two categories:
The first category is when one circumambulates not to worship the occupant of the grave, nor to call upon him or seek aid from him, but as a custom he has become accustomed to, or because he thinks that this is a means of drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). In this case, he is not a polytheist, but he is an innovator. We may call this innovation of his minor shirk because it is a means to major shirk.
However, if he circumambulates the grave or the structure over it in worship, to draw near, and to honor the occupant of the grave, or if he circumambulates it and calls upon its occupant and seeks aid from him, then he is a polytheist committing major shirk that takes him out of the religion. He deserves the statement of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):[Al-Ma'idah 5:72].
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Circumambulating graves and the structures built over them is divided into two categories:
The first category is when one circumambulates not to worship the occupant of the grave, nor to call upon him or seek aid from him, but as a custom he has become accustomed to, or because he thinks that this is a means of drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). In this case, he is not a polytheist, but he is an innovator. We may call this innovation of his minor shirk because it is a means to major shirk.
However, if he circumambulates the grave or the structure over it in worship, to draw near, and to honor the occupant of the grave, or if he circumambulates it and calls upon its occupant and seeks aid from him, then he is a polytheist committing major shirk that takes him out of the religion. He deserves the statement of Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He):
Indeed, 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 أَنصَارٍThe questioner : May Allah bless you.