Chowrangi

One of the forms of shirk which is particularly widespread in Muslim countries is grave-worship, the belief that dead awliyaa (saints) can fulfil one’s needs or help at times of distress, and calling upon them for aid.

Allah says : “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him . . .” [al-Israa’ 17:23]

Similarly, they call upon dead Prophets, righteous people and others to intercede for them or to rescue them from some calamity.

Allah says : “Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allah? . . .” [al-Naml 27:62]

Some of them have adopted the habit of mentioning the name of a shaykh or wali (saint) when they stand up, or sit down, or stumble, or encounter problems or distress, so they might say “O Muhammad!” or “O Ali!” or “O Husayn!” or “O Badawi!” or “O Jeelaani!” or “O Shaadhili!” or “O Rifaa’i!” - or they may call upon al-’Aydaroos or Sayyidah Zaynab or Ibn ‘Alwaan.

Allah says : “Verily those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you . . .” [al-A’raf 7:194]

Some of those who worship graves walk around them as if in Tawaaf, and acknowledge their corners, or touch them, kiss them, wipe their faces with their dust, prostrate towards them when they see them, or stand before them in fear and humility, praying for whatever they need of healing from some disease, or for a child, or for help with some difficulty. Sometimes they call upon the occupant of the grave, saying “O my master, I have come to you from far away, so do not let me down.”

Allah says: “And who is more astray than one who calls besides Allah such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are unaware of their calls to them?” [al-Ahqaaf 46:5]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever dies calling on someone else as a rival to Allah, will enter Hell.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 8/176).

Other posts by Mohammad Yusha

• Magic in Quran and Hadith - August 17th, 2008
• Watch out for Lottery Scams! - August 15th, 2008
• Only Animals Don't Wear Clothes - August 11th, 2008
• The Perverted West - August 11th, 2008
• The West on Sex and Masturbation - August 10th, 2008
• Doctors in the West who say Masturbation is Good for Health - August 10th, 2008
• Problems due to Masturbation - August 8th, 2008
• FAQs on Black Magic - August 7th, 2008
• The Naked Truth about Grave Worshippers - August 3rd, 2008
• Black Magic - It's not true, until it affects you - August 3rd, 2008