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 Burhan,

I have three question to ask:

1st is that in Pakistan And India we celebrate 12 Rabi Al-Awwal As EID MELAD UL NABI (PBUH) in other side Arab country specially Saudi Arabia have no concepts of celebrating The MELAD also in MASJID E NABWI they say that the celebration of MELAD is not granted in our ISLAM...So why we celebrate Melad in our country if ISLAM not granted us…

2nd is that is all Prophets and Auoliaa – E – Karaam are still alive which we imagine that they are still alive mainly in our country Pakistan And India….

3rd is In Saudi Arabia when someone says YA ALLAH and after he Say YA MUHAMMED they stop us to not say YA MUHAMMED coz they say Yaa is only used with the present and ALLAH no doubt is present all over…. Thanks you very much

Shakil Anwar....

(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:

Milaad and saying yaa mohamed

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: 1st is that in Pakistan And India we celebrate 12 Rabi Al-Awwal As EID MELAD UL NABI (PBUH) in other side Arab country specially Saudi Arabia have no concepts of celebrating The MELAD also in MASJID E NABWI they say that the celebration of MELAD is not granted in our ISLAM...So why we celebrate Melad in our country if ISLAM not granted us…

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, one cannot determine the permissibility or legality of an event, or rite, or ritual in Islam by seeing which nations permit or practice it and which nations don’t!!! But the right and only way to determine its legality is to search for its permissibility in the Quran and the authentic and established Sunnah or practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws). If the event, or act, or rite, or ritual is endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws), it would be lawful for the believers to perform it; and if it has not been endorsed by Allah and His Messenger (saws), then it has to be an innovation; and every innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam is an error and a grave sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Although every day one lives is a day to be grateful to the Lord and a day of celebration and commemoration, Allah and His Messenger (saws) have nominated every Friday of the week, and the two days of Eid (Fitr and Adha) as days of special celebration and commemoration. The birth-day or death-day of any individual has absolutely no significance in the deen of Islam, and never ever did the Messenger of Allah (saws) celebrate his own birthday, nor did he ever celebrate the birthdays of his loved ones, nor did even his noble companions, who loved the Prophet (saws) more than anyone else, ever celebrate the birthday of their Noble Leader and Prophet (saws) during his (saws) life-time or after his (saws) death!

Therefore if someone starts the ritual of celebrating the Prophet’s (saws) or any others birthdays, thinking of it as a rite which will bring about the Pleasure or Good Will of Allah Subhanah, he will be inventing a thing in the deen of Islam which is not from the deen! And that is exactly what the Messenger of Allah (saws) termed as bidah or innovation; and every single innovation in the pure and perfect deen of Islam is an error, a sin, and absolutely detestable to the Lord Most Majestic.

Aisha narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘If somebody innovates something which is not present in our religion, then that thing will be rejected.’

Related by Bukhari.

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.”

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.”

The celebrating or commemorating of the birthday of the Noble Prophet (saws) is a clear and manifest bida, and the believers should fear Allah and absolutely abstain from this and all other innovations which have unfortunately crept into the pure and perfect deen of Islam…if indeed they fear Allah and the Last Day.

Your Question: 2nd is that is all Prophets and Auoliaa – E – Karaam are still alive which we imagine that they are still alive mainly in our country Pakistan And India….

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 154:

And say not of those who are slain in the way of Allah: "They are dead." Nay they are living though ye perceive (it) not.

Allah Subhanah revealed the above quoted aayah of Surah Baqarah immediately after the Battle of Ohud, when the hypocrites started spreading propaganda amongst the believers and said that the martyrs died in vain, and did not enjoy the life of this world! Allah Subhanah revealed this aayah to comfort the believers and to impress upon them the honor those martyrs received in the realm of His Presence. Allah Subhanah declares that these martyrs are honored and are alive in His Presence, but the people of the world cannot perceive that reality. Such is the honor Allah bestows on those who are slain in His Cause. Allah Subhanah demands that their death in the life of this world should not, and cannot be compared to the people who die a normal or natural death.

Thus, Allah has declared honor and admiration to those who are martyred for Allah’s Cause, and affirmed that the dying of one in the Cause of Allah cannot be compared to a normal death of this life! The very word ‘dead’ as understood by human beings is very discouraging, and kills the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the urge to fight in the Way of Allah. Instead of this, the believers are encouraged to believe that the martyrs are alive in the Presence of Allah Subhanah, but we are not able to perceive that honorable life of theirs. And this is a reality which revitalizes and keeps the spirit of courage and ‘jihad’ alive in the hearts of the true believers.

That is the basic essence and meaning of the above aayah 154 of Surah Baqarah.

Allah Subhanah reveals in another Surah, a similar verse and describes the honor and bliss the martyrs are enjoying in the Presence of their Merciful Lord, where they are provided with abundant sustenance and bounty. The aayahs are meant to impress upon the people of this life, that those who are slain in the Way of Allah, have bartered their transitory worldly life for an eternal and everlasting life of joy, bliss, Grace and Mercy, and where they have absolutely no fear, and no cause to grieve.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verses 169-171:

169 Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.

170 They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah: and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.

171 They glory in the Grace and the Bounty from Allah, and in the fact that Allah suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least).

But some ignorant people who, rather than form their beliefs from the guidance of the Holy Quran, try to make the Quran follow their self-satisfying beliefs! They choose a particular martyr, or martyrs from a particular family of their choice, and then use these Aayahs to justify that these martyrs or ‘auliyaas’ are alive, are very close to Allah Subhanah, and thus can hear and answer their prayers! They thus celebrate the praises of their ‘specifically’ chosen martyrs and ‘auliyaas’, celebrate and perform certain rituals on their birth and death days, make shrines and tombs over their graves, and make their shrines a place of their rituals and worship. They do all these rituals so that their ‘specifically’ chosen martyr and ‘auliyaas’ becomes pleased with their service, and since they have so much ‘influence’ on Allah Subhanah, he will get their prayers answered by Allah Subhanah!

Thus in effect, these ignorant people involve themselves in the abomination and the most heinous of sins in the sight of Allah Subhanah: ie. Shirk! They believe that the ‘specific’ martyr and ‘auliyaa’ they are serving is All-Knowing and knows the rituals and service they do in his name and on his grave; they believe that their ‘specific’ martyr and ‘auliyaa’ is All-Seeing and can see their state and their worship; and they believe that their ‘specific’ martyr and ‘auliyaa’ is All-Hearing and can hear and respond to their invocations!

These ignorant people have dared to share the Exclusive Attributes of the All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing Lord with one of Allah’s creation, and have thus involved themselves in the heinous crime of ‘shirk’! And to top it all, they use the one Aayah of Surah Baqarah completely out of context to justify their worship of their chosen martyrs and ‘auliyaas’, and disregard the rest of the Guidance and Commands of the Holy Quran! The absolute Truth of the matter is that they want the Quran to conform to their false beliefs; rather than form their beliefs with the clear Guidance and Teachings of the Glorious Quran!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 18 Surah Kahf verse 102:

What? Do these people, who have disbelieved, presume that they would make My servants their ‘auliyaas’ besides Me? We have prepared Hell for the hospitality of such people.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumur verse 2-3:

So worship Allah Alone, making your religion His exclusively. Beware! Religion is the exclusive Right of Allah. As for those who have taken other ‘auliyas’ (guardians) with Allah (and justify their this conduct by saying): “We serve them only that they may bring us closer to Allah.” Allah will surely judge between them concerning all that in which they differ. Allah does not show guidance to any liar and denier of the Truth.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 10 Surah Yunus verse 18:

These people serve beside Allah those which can neither harm nor benefit them, and say, “These are our ‘shofa’a’ (intercessors) with Allah!” (O Mohammed), tell them, “Do you wish to inform Allah of that thing which He knows not in the heavens, or in the earth?” He is absolutely free from, and exalted above the shirk that they commit.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 16 Surah Nahl verse 20-21:

All the other beings, whom the people invoke with Allah, create nothing! Nay, they are themselves created. They are DEAD, not living, and they do not at all know themselves when they shall again be raised to life!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 255:

255 Allah! There is no god but He (Alone), The Ever-Living, The Self-Subsisting Eternal.

One of the Noble and Exclusive Attributes of Allah Subhanah is that He Alone is the Ever-Living. It is the inherent nature of all creation, and I repeat, all creation without exception, that they shall perish one day!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 28 Surah Qasas verse 88:

88 And call not besides Allah on another god. There is no god but He. Everything (that exists) will perish, except His Own Face. To Him belongs the Command and to Him will ye (all) be brought back.

Regardless of whether one in creation is a Prophet of Allah or anyone else, if one believes that there is someone in creation who is ever-living, one would have dared to share an Exclusive Attribute that belongs to Allah Subhanah with one in creation; and that would be a manifest form of the abomination of ‘shirk’!

Allah is our witness, the Prophets of Allah were human beings and Allah’s slave-servants who were sent with a Mission and a Message from their Lord; and once their mission was accomplished, like all human beings, they met with their appointment of death as Decreed and Determined by Allah Subhanah. Like all human beings who have tasted death, they too will only be raised up again on the Day of Resurrection.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumar verse 30-31:

(O Prophet) YOU SHALL DIE, and they too shall die! Then on the Day of Resurrection, you all will present your disputes before your Lord.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 144:

Mohamed is no more than a Messenger. Other Messengers have already died before him. If then, he (saws) also dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels? Remember, he who turns about on his heels, will do no harm at all to Allah. Of course, Allah will duly reward those who live as His grateful servants.

It is reported from Aisha that Allah's Messenger (saws) died while Abu Bakr was at a place called As-Sunah (Al-'Aliya). Umar stood up and said, "By Allah! Allah's Messenger (saws) is not dead!" Umar (later on) said, "By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that." He said, "Verily! Allah will resurrect him (saws) and he will cut the hands and legs of some men." Then Abu Bakr came and uncovered the face of Allah's Messenger (saws), kissed him and said, "Let my mother and father be sacrificed for you, (O Allah's Messenger (saws)), you are good in life and in death. By Allah in Whose Hands my life is, Allah will never make you taste death twice." Then he went out and said, "O oath-taker! Don't be hasty." When Abu Bakr spoke, Umar sat down. Abu Bakr praised and glorified Allah and said, “No doubt! Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is alive and shall never die." Then he recited Allah's Statement.: "(O Muhammad) Verily you will die, and they also will die." (39.30) He also recited: “Mohamed is no more than a Messenger. Other Messengers have already died before him. If then, he (saws) also dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels? Remember, he who turns about on his heels, will do no harm at all to Allah. Of course, Allah will duly reward those who live as His grateful servants.” (3.144)

In light of the above aayahs from the Quran and the authentic and established narrations, it is proved beyond any doubt that the Last Messenger of Allah and the Mercy and Rahmah of Allah unto mankind, Mohamed ar Rasool Allah (saws) tasted the element of death as Decreed for all in creation by Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Glorious Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 185:

Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) died a natural death and was buried in Hadrat Aisha’s house adjacent to the Prophet’s (original) mosque in Medina. Thousands of companions witnessed his death, and prayed the ‘janaaza’ over his dead body! All the scholars of Islam, of all schools and sects, are absolutely unanimous in their opinion that the Messenger of Allah (saws) is dead, and the Quranic aayahs and the above narrations prove this truth beyond any doubt whatsoever.

Any who insists that the Messenger of Allah (saws) is not dead, but only in a state of ‘sleep’, must be asked to present his evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah for his theory or belief. If the person is unable to present his evidence or proof from the Quran and the Sunnah, and Allah is our witness there is absolutely nothing in the Quran or Sunnah which even remotely substantiates such a belief, then one should know with conviction that the theory or belief that the Prophet (saws) is alive in his grave is absolutely unsubstantiated, baseless and absolutely against the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah.

Your Question: 3rd is In Saudi Arabia when someone says YA ALLAH and after he Say YA MUHAMMED they stop us to not say YA MUHAMMED coz they say Yaa is only used with the present and ALLAH no doubt is present all over….

The Arabic term ‘Ya’ is synonymous to the English term of address ‘O’, and it would be only grammatically correct and accurate when it is used when one is in direct correspondence or conversation with someone, assuming the one being addressed can hear and respond to his call.

Allah Subhanah is indeed the One Who is All-Hearing and Ever-Living, and thus when one calls upon Him there is absolutely no harm in stating: ‘Ya Allah…..’. If one uses the term ‘Ya (so and so)….’ while addressing someone whom one is in direct conversation, there is absolutely no harm.

But to address someone who is not in direct conversation with the term ‘Ya (so and so)…..’, like someone who is far away or someone who is dead would be a grammatically incorrect usage of the term!

To address someone who is far away or one who is dead with the term ‘Ya (so and so)….’, and assumes that the person has the power to hear them and respond to their call would be to share an Exclusive Attribute of the Majestic Lord of being the ‘All-Hearing’ with someone in His creation; and that would constitute a manifestation of the abomination of ‘shirk’!

The Noble Messenger of Allah (saws) was a human being, and after living his blessed life on earth for an appointed time, tasted death and was buried in his blessed city of Madinah. When he (saws) was alive and his companions wanted to call his attention or were in direct conversation with him, they would address him ‘Ya Rasool Allah (saws)….’. But there is never any record of any of his noble companions invoking the Prophet (saws) after his death by addressing him as if in direct conversation by using the term ‘Ya Rasool Allah (saws)…..’!!!

It would be gramatically incorrect usage of the Arabic term ‘Ya….’ to call upon someone who is far away or dead; and if one uses this term of address ‘Ya (so and so)….’ and believes that the person buried in his grave can hear or respond to their invocation, then they would be guilty of sharing an Exclusive Attribute of the Majestic Lord of being the All-Hearing with one in His creation, and thus guilty of the abomination of ‘shirk’!

The Noble Messenger of Allah (saws) is dead and cannot hear or respond to our invocations, thus it would be absolutely inappropriate and incorrect to address him (saws) by using the term of address ‘Ya Mohamed (saws)’ or ‘Ya Rasool Allah (saws)’!

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan