Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

DEAR BROTHER,

ASSALAMALAIKKUM.

SOME PEOPLE RECITE SURAH`S LIKE SURHAE FATHIHA ETC.. BLOW IT IN WATER DRINK THEMSELVES,GIVE IT TO THEIR FAMILY AND GIVE IT TO PERSONS WHO ARE SICK ETC.. AND CONSIDER THE WATER AS SACRED OR OF PIOUS QUALITY.

IS IT BY ANY MEANS CORRECT TO DO IT ON WATER OR ON ANYTHING OR IS IT TOTALLY A BIDAA/INNOVATION.PLEASE QUOTE RELEVANT VERSES FROM QURAN OR FROM AUTHENTIC HADEES FOR ITS CLARFICATION.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Blow Dam Fateha

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzab verse 21:

There is indeed the best example for you to follow, in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person that looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

For any act of worship in the deen, our example has to be only the Messenger of Allah (saws). If an act is endorsed by him (saws), it would be considered from amongst his Sunnah; and if an act of worship is not endorsed by him (saws), it would be a clear and manifest bida or innovation, and every innovation in the deen of Islam is an error.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.631 Narrated by Aisha

During the Prophet's (saws) fatal illness, he used to recite the Mu'auwidhat (Surat An-Nas and Surat Al-Falaq) and then blow his breath over his body. When his illness was aggravated, I used to recite those two Surahs and blow my breath over him and make him rub his body with his own hand for its blessings." Ma'mar asked Az-Zuhri: ‘How did the Prophet use to blow?’ Az-Zuhri said: ‘He (saws) used to blow on his hands and then passed them over his face.’

It is reported that every night when the Prophet (saws) retired to bed he would hold out his hands together imploringly and blow over them after reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas, and then rub his hands over whichever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face, and front of his body. He (saws) used to do that three times.

Reported by Muslim.

In light of the above authentic narrations, there is evidence in the Sunnah that before the Messenger of Allah (saws) retired to bed every night, he (saws) would recite the Surahs Ikhlaas (112), Falaq (113) and Naas (114) and blow over his hands and then rub his hands over his face and his body. During his (saws) fatal illness, he would ask Hadrat Aisha (r.a.) to recite the Surahs and after recitation she would blow her breath over him.

There is absolutely no evidence in the Sunnah whereby the Prophet (saws) would recite any Surahs or Verses of the Glorious Quran and blow his breath over water or any edible object. If one recites any verses and blows over water or anything else believing that it makes the water holy, or that by reciting and blowing, the water contains any special blessings or cure, etc.; such an act would be in direct violation of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws). And whatever act in the deen is not endorsed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) would be a clear and manifest bida or innovation, and every innovation in the deen is an error.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan