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, Assalam o eleikum. I pray to Allah for your well being and that of your colleagues who endeavour in this noble cause.

My wife has been given a book called "Jannati Zevar" by her mother. It has been written by Moulana Abdul Mustafa.

Apart from dealing with matters of the shariah, this book prescribes ways and suggest matter and contents for a milad. Isn`t saying/ singing a milad an innovation. So, should I then ignore the whole book as I fear it might not guide me or my wife correctly on other matters as well?

Secondly, is the name Abdul Mustafa itself correct. In the sense, isn`t Mustafa used to refer to the prophet PBUH. How can someone be a slave of the prophet? 

(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:

“Jannati Zevar” book and is name Abdul Mustafa correct ?

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.

Your question: My wife has been given a book called "Jannati Zevar" by her mother. It has been written by Moulana Abdul Mustafa. Apart from dealing with matters of the shariah, this book prescribes ways and suggest matter and contents for a milad. Isn`t saying/ singing a milad an innovation. So, should I then ignore the whole book as I fear it might not guide me or my wife correctly on other matters as well?

Beloved brother in Islam, we need to first and foremost look at the contents of this or any other book, and assess whether they confirm to the clear guidance and teachings of the Glorious Quran and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws). We as Muslims should invest our time and efforts to investigate the references quoted in these books with the Quran and Sunnah; and if we find that the contents are in accordance to the guidance of the Quran and Sunnah, we should accept it wholeheartedly; and if the contents are against the Guidance of Truth of either the Quran or the Sunnah, then one can be assured that it is nothing but falsehood, and the believers, who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day, must refrain from accepting it.

The above criteria should be applied to all books, thoughts, and actions in assessing whether the statements made by the author, speaker, or deeds are in accordance with the Divine Guidance. Brother, the honest truth is that we have not read this book ‘Jannati Zevar’, therefore we cannot accurately comment on the contents of the book or the author.

Ref: Milad

The life of Prophet Mohammed (saws), his noble companions, and his noble and chaste family should be a role model for us to lead our daily lives. Again, we need to investigate whether any of these practices were ever performed by our beloved Prophet (saws), or his noble companions, or his noble and chaste family members. It is imperative to mention that the closest to Prophet Mohammed (saws) were his family and his companions who loved him and had great understanding of Islam as they learned directly from the Prophet (saws) himself. If any of these "religious acts" were not practiced by the Prophet Mohammed (saws), then these would be considered innovations (BI'DAH) in the deen. There is absolutely no evidence in the Quran, the Sunnah, or the Seerah of the Prophet Mohamed (saws) that he ever celebrated his birthday, the birthdays of his family members or loved ones, or his noble companions. And if the Prophet (saws), his noble companions, and his noble family members did not celebrate and make an occasion out of their milaads, we too should abstain from any such innovations in the deen!

It has been reported in an authentic narration that the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “Whoever introduces a ‘bida’ (innovation) in this deen brought by me (saws), it will be rejected.”

It has been reported by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (r.a.) 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.” (Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515)

It has been reported by Jabir ibn Abdullah (r.a.) in another authentic narration 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.” (Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885)

Your question: Secondly, is the name Abdul Mustafa itself correct. In the sense, isn`t Mustafa used to refer to the prophet PBUH. How can someone be a slave of the prophet? 

The literal meaning of ‘Mustafa’ in the Arabic language means ‘the chosen one’, and is normally applied to Prophet Mohamed (saws).

Maintaining the Unity of Allah's names means that Allah's names cannot be given to any of His creation, no matter who they are, unless preceded by the prefix 'Abd’ meaning "slave of" or "servant of". For example Ar-Ra'oof (the One Most Full of Pity) or Ar-Raheem (the Most Merciful) can only be used to refer to men if they are preceded by 'Abd’ as in 'Abdur-Ra'oof or 'Abdur-Raheem, since they represent a level of perfection which can only belong to Allah Subhanah. On the other hand, names like Abdur-Rasool (slave of the Messenger) or Abdul-Mustafa (slave of the chosen one), Abdun-Nabee (slave of Prophet), etc., where people name themselves slaves to a creation of Allah Subhanah, no matter who or what that creation is; such names are not appropriate for believers, who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H) was sent to this earth to transform and guide mankind from being slaves to any and all things and beings, and invite and guide man to become exclusively the slave of Allah Subhanah Alone.

Allah the most Gracious and Merciful reminds the Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H), in the Holy Quran the significance of being a Slave to Allah, and nullifies being slaves to anyone else, including Prophets:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 79: It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture, and wisdom, and the Prophethood, that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: “Be slaves of me instead of Allah”; but (what he said was): “Be ye faithful servants of the Lord, by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and of your constant study thereof.”

In light of the above Aayah of the Holy Quran, and the guidance of the Messenger (saws), it is not appropriate for a believer to declare himself to be a ‘Abd’ or ‘slave-servant’ of any being or thing or person, other than Allah Subhanah Alone.

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 in Islam,

Tauseef Ahmed