The Ruling on Praying Behind an Imam Who Encourages Seeking Blessing from the Righteous
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Question:
A letter reached the program from a listener named Sadaf bin Yuya, as he wrote his name, from Djibouti. He sent a letter containing a set of questions, among which was a question that says: We used to pray in a mosque, when its imam would order the people to do what Allah has forbidden in His Book, or on the tongue of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). For example, in the Friday sermon, he ordered us to seek blessing from the graves of the righteous, whether they were dead or alive. He also ordered us, in the case of making a request, to say: "By the status of so-and-so." Is it permissible for us to pray behind this imam, or not? Your letter came at the end of the program, O brother Sadaf. We ask for success for you.
Answer:
It is not permissible to pray behind this one who orders seeking blessing from the righteous through their graves. This is ignorance of the legal ruling, and ignorance of the oneness of Allah. As for the word "by the status" (bi-jaah), this is a religious innovation; it does not amount to disbelief. "By the status of so-and-so," or "by the right of so-and-so," is not permissible because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do that, nor did his Companions. It is not part of the prescribed seeking nearness to Allah through a means. Rather, it is obligatory to leave that. So it is not permissible for a Muslim to say in his supplication "by the status of Muhammad," or "by the status of so-and-so," or "by the status of the awliya (close friends of Allah)," or "by the right of the prophets"; because this has not been legislated, and it did not come in the supplications of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor the supplications of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them and grant them satisfaction). As for his ordering the seeking of blessing from the graves of the righteous, this is a general statement. Seeking blessing from the graves of the righteous implies that one asks them, or seeks blessing from their soil, or seeks blessing by asking them, or calling for aid from them, or requesting... This is a very serious matter. Such a thing indicates his ignorance. He should be removed, and not be an imam. One should strive with the authorities to replace him with someone else. One does not pray behind him unless he is informed and the truth is explained to him, and he repents from that. Then there is no blame (if Allah wills) if he straightens out and repents, for repentance wipes out what came before it. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
A letter reached the program from a listener named Sadaf bin Yuya, as he wrote his name, from Djibouti. He sent a letter containing a set of questions, among which was a question that says: We used to pray in a mosque, when its imam would order the people to do what Allah has forbidden in His Book, or on the tongue of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). For example, in the Friday sermon, he ordered us to seek blessing from the graves of the righteous, whether they were dead or alive. He also ordered us, in the case of making a request, to say: "By the status of so-and-so." Is it permissible for us to pray behind this imam, or not? Your letter came at the end of the program, O brother Sadaf. We ask for success for you.
Answer:
It is not permissible to pray behind this one who orders seeking blessing from the righteous through their graves. This is ignorance of the legal ruling, and ignorance of the oneness of Allah. As for the word "by the status" (bi-jaah), this is a religious innovation; it does not amount to disbelief. "By the status of so-and-so," or "by the right of so-and-so," is not permissible because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do that, nor did his Companions. It is not part of the prescribed seeking nearness to Allah through a means. Rather, it is obligatory to leave that. So it is not permissible for a Muslim to say in his supplication "by the status of Muhammad," or "by the status of so-and-so," or "by the status of the awliya (close friends of Allah)," or "by the right of the prophets"; because this has not been legislated, and it did not come in the supplications of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor the supplications of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them and grant them satisfaction). As for his ordering the seeking of blessing from the graves of the righteous, this is a general statement. Seeking blessing from the graves of the righteous implies that one asks them, or seeks blessing from their soil, or seeks blessing by asking them, or calling for aid from them, or requesting... This is a very serious matter. Such a thing indicates his ignorance. He should be removed, and not be an imam. One should strive with the authorities to replace him with someone else. One does not pray behind him unless he is informed and the truth is explained to him, and he repents from that. Then there is no blame (if Allah wills) if he straightens out and repents, for repentance wipes out what came before it. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.