66- Ruling on Seeking to Draw near to Awliya by Offering them Sacrificial Animals
Q: Is it permissible for men or women to visit a Waliy (a pious person) buried in a mosque? Will it be an act of Shirk (associating others along with Allah in worship) if I bring a sheep or a sum of money on the next visit to this Waliy?
A: No one knows the true Waliy except Allah (Exalted be He). It is worth mentioning that the believers are the Awliya of Allah. As for what is superstitious ly thought by some people that the Waliy has unique virtual extraordinary characteristics that other believers do not possess, it has nothing to do with reality. It is a fact that a large number of Awliya do not work miracles. The Awliya of Allah are those who believe in His Oneness even if they do not make miracles. Allah (Glorified be He) says: Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds).. The believer is a Waliy of Allah, whether he is an Arab or a non-Arab, a male or a female, well- versed or not we 1 1- versed in religion. The Awliya of Allah are those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Him. One can visit the Awliya in the mosque or in their houses for Allah's Sake as a way of expressing love for Allah. Reciprocating visits between the believers is a commended act and a sign of obedience to Allah (Exalted be He). It was authentically reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Allah (may He be Exalted) says: My Love is extended for those who exchange visits for My Sake, those whot with one another for My Sake, those who love one another for My Sake, and those who give in charity for My Sake. Also, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those loving one another in My Glory? Today, I will shelter them under My Shade when there is no shade but Mine.. The believers, men and women, can visit their Muslim brothers and sisters in the house or in the mosque, if this visit does not involve any suspicion. For example, a Muslim woman can visit her brother, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, a relative or a neighbor to check on him if he isck or to ask him about a religious question, provided that she wears the Hijab (Islamic veil) and be in no Khulwah (being alone) with any marriageable person. Thus, a believing person can be visited by his Muslim brothers and sisters but this visit should be done with foil consideration of the Islamic precepts and they should involve in no act of suspicion or temptation. Moreover, a woman should wear the Hijab and be in no Khulwah with a marriageable person when visiting a person inquiring about his health, asking about a religious question, or achieving a lawful purpose. The superstitious practice of some people who offer sacrificial animals to the Waliy or invoking him besides of Allah, thinking that the Waliy can work out miracles in the universe, is invalid and an act of major Shirk, whether the Waliy is alive or dead. Seeking help from the Awliya in the graves on the assumption that they can fulfill one's needs, know the Unseen or dispose of the universe is an act of major Shirk, even if one has not offered anything to them. The belief itself is an act of major Shirk, may Allah save us from this. If a person offers a camel, a cow, a sheep, a chicken, or anything else as a sacrifice to the Waliy, this is an act of major Shirk. Also, if a person supplicates a Waliy saying, "O Shaykh so and so! Help me, intercede for me or fulfill such and such need for me," by the grave of the Waliy or far from it, it is an act of major Shirk. If a person says to a living person, "Help me do such and such thing, intercede for me with so and so, help me repay my debtor help me resist the evil of so and so," these are permissible requests that are not sinful at all. Allah (Exalted be He) says about Moses: The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe. People in their life are allowed to seek help from one another verbally, in writing, by telephone, by telegraph and so on. However, it is an act of major Shirk to supplicate a person besides of Allah (Exalted be He), thinking that such person is a Waliy who can dispose of the universe, invoking him by his grave or far from it, offering sacrificial animals to him, seeking help from him or making vows to him. Thus, Muslims should be on their guard against such practices that the common people ignorantly do. It is permissible for people to make ordinary requests from one another; for example, you can say to another present person, "O so and so! Lend me such and such thing, help me do such and such thing, help me repair my car, or help me build my house," provided that the person is alive and hears your speech or receives your message by telephone, telegraph or any other means of communication. All these forms of requests are permissible. Nowadays, there...