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Following Syedna does not mean worshipping him

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

Can you throw light on the following-

1. During Haj the Bohris perform the Haj ceremony in a different way. Is this true and why?

2. Is photography, listening to music and keeping photos- wall hanging in the house (without the intent of worshipping them) forbidden in Islam?

3. Can you give the lineage after the Prophet (saws), i.e Imams, Khalifahs and dais? What is correct?

4. Do you feel the Bohris are totally brainwashed in their beliefs? They unconditionally believe that Syedna is their spiritual leader and they will not accept any logic otherwise. Frankly you have seen both sides of the story as you say you were a firm believer in Syedna before. I think the belief in bohris is that they accept Syedna as their spiritual leader and do not worship him. They do everything in Islam like prayers to Allah alone, fast, zakat, haj etc plus more like vayas in Muharram, matam. Therefore the feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point across to you.

Also I have heard the the dais before were simple and there was no power and wealth involved in those times. Also they were more approachable. How far is this true?

Also can you tell me about the laaghan we keep on the 10th of Muharram and the other fasts we keep aside from Ramzaan. Is there any mention of these fasts by the Prophet (saws)

 

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Answer:

 

Following Syedna does not mean worshipping him

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.

 

Q-1: During Haj the Bohris perform the Haj ceremony in a different way. Is this true and why?

No man who ever walked on this planet earth worshipped Allah Subhanah better and in a more perfect manner than the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws). Thus for all rites of worship, our guide, role model, and example has to be the Messenger of Allah (saws).

 

If one performs the Hajj ceremony the way the Last Messenger of Allah (saws) performed and taught the Hajj rites to the believers; then it would be an acceptable worship in the sight of Allah Subhanah. And if anyone or any sect performs the Hajj rites in any other way than that of the Messenger of Allah (saws), then it would definitely not be an acceptable form of worship in the sight of Allah Subhanah.

 

We are not qualified to comment on whether our Bohra brethren, or any other sect in Islam, are doing their Hajj rites in a different way and why or why not; our concern as believers should be whether it is being done in the manner performed and taught by the Messenger of Allah (saws). There are many ways to perform the ceremony or fulfill the rites in an incorrect manner, but there is only one way to fulfill the rites in the perfect manner, and that is the manner the Last Messenger of Allah (saws) performed it. If any brother likes to study the way and manner the Hajj rites were performed to perfection by the Messenger of Allah (saws), we would consider an honor to send all the authentic traditions related to the Hajj rites.

 

Q-2: Is photography, listening to music and keeping photos- wall hanging in the house (without the intent of worshipping them) forbidden in Islam?

Ref: Photography:

Most of the scholars are of the opinion that photography in itsself is not forbidden in Islam; but painting or imaging of an animate object is indeed forbidden.

 

Ref: Music:

The Messenger of Allah (saws) declared the music of all ‘string’ instruments haraam. The wisdom behind the commandment given is that music and some songs and lyrics (that talk about shirk, sensual and sexual nature, etc.) takes one away from the world of reality, into a false world of fantasy, imagination and dreams.

 

The music that is forbidden in Islam is the ‘impure’ and string music which facilitates ‘shirk’, faheshaa and indecency. The contemporary music which is so rampant in movies, television, radios, etc. which encourage indecency, is definitely forbidden.

 

But if one takes music to mean the melodious sound of the Muazzin while calling to prayer, or the beautiful sound of the ‘Qari’ when he recites the Holy Quran, or the tunes of chorus sung by the mujahideen; these are not only permitted, these are considered virtues and a means of getting a huge reward from Allah Subhanah.

 

If one writes poetry in the Praise of Allah and sings it in a melodious voice, there is absolutely no harm. Even if one writes poetry of love and sings them to his wife, and there is no indecency in the wordings, there is no harm. Even the playing of the ‘daff’ (a circular drum type instrument played by the hand) at special occasions like marriage, etc. was allowed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) in Islam.

 

Every word has a specific meaning, and when we use the term ‘music’ it is understood to mean the music that we hear today on the radio and televisions. If one takes music to mean the pure music, like the melody of the azaan, or the recitation of the Quran, or the music made by the ‘daff’, or the music created by nature, these are absolutely legal in Islam.

 

Ref: Hanging photos in the house:

The Chief of the Angels, Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.) told Prophet Mohamed (saws) that the Angels of Mercy do not enter a house where there are pictures (or photos) of animate objects. Thus, it would be inappropriate for a believer in Allah and the Last Day, to display photos or pictures of animate objects in his house.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.841 Narrated by Abu Talha

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "Angels (of mercy) do not enter a house where there are pictures."

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.845 Narrated by Abu Juhaifa

that he had bought a slave whose profession was cupping. The Prophet forbade taking the price of blood, and the price of a dog, and the earnings of a prostitute, and cursed the one who took or gave (Riba') usury, and the lady who tattooed others or got herself tattooed, and the picture-maker.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.450 Narrated by Abu Salim

Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (saws) that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come, and later on he said, "We, angels, do not enter a house which contains a picture, or a dog."

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.834 Narrated by Muslim

We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet (saws) saying, "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers.' "

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.448 Narrated by Abu Talha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)."

 

The opinion of most scholars in Islam is that there is no harm if one has his pictures taken for identification purposes, passports, driving licenses, etc., or keeping pictures of loved ones in albums, etc. What is prohibited is the open display of pictures or photos of human beings and/or animals.

 

Q-3: Can you give the lineage after the Prophet (saws), i.e Imams, Khalifahs and dais? What is correct?

The only blood descendant who survived after the Prophet (saws) was his beloved daughter Hadrat Fatimah binte Rasool Allah (r.a.) and her decendants. We are not aware of any lineage ‘tree’ which exists in documented form naming all the descendants of the Prophet (saws) to date; and frankly it would be rather impossible to document the lineage of descendants of the Prophet (saws) as there would literally be thousands of them alive today! Only Allah Subhanah knows their exact number and details!

 

Depending on which ‘Imams’ one is referring to, they might or might not be the direct descendants of the Prophet (saws). If one refers to the Imams from the Ahlul-Bayt of the Messenger of Allah (saws) like Hadrat Hasan ibn Ali (r.a.), Hadrat Hussain ibn Ali (r.a.), Hadrat Zain-al-Abedeen ibn Hussain (r.a.), etc., they would indeed be amongst the direct descendants of the Prophet (saws).

 

None of the ‘Khalifahs’ including Hadrat Ali ibn Abi Taalib (r.a.) were from the direct descendants of the Prophet (saws); and similarly none of the ‘Dais’ (as recognized by some sects) were direct descendants of the Prophet (saws).

 

Q-4: Do you feel the Bohris are totally brainwashed in their beliefs? They unconditionally believe that Syedna is their spiritual leader and they will not accept any logic otherwise. Frankly you have seen both sides of the story as you say you were a firm believer in Syedna before. I think the belief in bohris is that they accept Syedna as their spiritual leader and do not worship him. They do everything in Islam like prayers to Allah alone, fast, zakat, haj etc plus more like vayas in Muharram, matam. Therefore the feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point across to you.

Only Allah and His Messenger (saws) have this status in Islam that it is obligatory to obey and follow their commands unconditionally! If anyone obeys or follows anyone else ‘unconditionally’, then they have shared a right of Allah and His Messenger (saws) with someone else!

 

Your Statement: I think the belief in bohris is that they accept Syedna as their spiritual leader and do not worship him.

We have answered this very query in our archives and are attaching the answer for your perusal.

 

Your Statement: Therefore the feeling is that there is no harm in doing extra and they can`t go wrong in this and people who do not do this extra are actually the ones who are omitting something. I hope I have got my point across to you.

No man who ever walked on this planet earth worshipped Allah Subhanah better and in a more perfect manner than the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws). Thus for all rites of worship, our guide, role model, and example has to be the Messenger of Allah (saws).

 

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 looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.

 

Thus, if someone adds something, or brings about an innovation in the deen of Islam brought by Prophet Mohamed (saws), he is implying one of two things:

…that either the Messenger of Allah (saws) did not worship Allah Subhanah in an absolute perfect manner, or,

…the person who innovates knows more about the deen and how to better worship the All Mighty Lord than the Messenger of Allah (saws)!

 

Innovation, or addition, or doing some rites of worship ‘extra’ which were not performed, practiced, or approved by the Messenger of Allah (saws) are sins so heinous in the sight of Allah Subhanah, that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said:

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Hadrat Ali ibn AbuTalib (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.”

 

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Hadrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (r.a.)

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.”

 

Q-5: Also I have heard the the dais before were simple and there was no power and wealth involved in those times. Also they were more approachable. How far is this true?

Allah Alone Knows best the condition of the ‘dais’, and the circumstances they lived under in their times!

 

Our concern as believers is to obey and follow the example of the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws); who and how and when and what the others did should be of little concern, other than historical knowledge, to those who sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

 

Q-6: Also can you tell me about the laaghan we keep on the 10th of Muharram and the other fasts we keep aside from Ramzaan. Is there any mention of these fasts by the Prophet (saws)

Abu Hurairah reported: "I asked the Prophet: 'Which prayer is the best after the obligatory prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the middle of the night.' I asked: 'Which fast is the best after the fast of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram.' " This is related by Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud.

 

Ibn 'Abbas reported: "The Prophet came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of 'Ashurah. He said to them: 'What is this fast?' They said: 'A great day. Allah saved Moses and the tribes of Israel from their enemies on this day and therefore, Moses fasted on this day.' The Prophet said: 'We have more of a right to Moses than you,' so he fasted on that day also and ordered the people to fast on that day." This is recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

 

According to al-Bukhari and Muslim, Musa al-Ash'ari reported: "The Jews would honor the day of 'Ashurah as an 'id. The Prophet said: 'You [Muslims] are to fast on it.'"

 

Ibn 'Abbas reported: "The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of 'Ashurah and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said: 'O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor.' The Prophet said, 'When the following year comes--Allah willing--we shall fast on the ninth.' The death of the Prophet came before the following year." This is recorded by Muslim and Abu Dawud.

 

In light of the above narrations, a believer may fast in the month of Muharram in any one of the below manner:

fasting three days--that is, on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram;

fasting two days on the 9th and 10th;

fasting two days on the 10th and 11th.

fasting only on the 10th.

 

The Holy Quran specifically talks about the prescribed fasts of Ramadan (Chp2 Surah Baqarah verses 183-185) , and the fasts which are to be done as an atonement for deeds like accidental killing (Chp 4 Surah Nisaa verse 92), breaking of an oath (Chp 5 Surah Maidah verse 89), etc. The other fasts related in the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) are:

 

The Prophet (saws) would fast most of the month of Sha'ban. 'Aishah said: "I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast a complete month save for Ramadan, and I have never seen him fast more in a month than he did in Sha'ban." This is related by Bukhari and Muslim.

 

Usamah ibn Zaid inquired: "O Messenger of Allah, I never find you fasting in any month like you do during the month of Sha'ban." The Prophet responded: "That is a month the people neglect. It comes between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting." This is related by Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, and by Ibn Khuzaimah in his Sahih.

 

Abu Dharr al-Ghafari reported: "The Messenger of Allah ordered us to fast for three days of every month--that is, on the days of the full moon (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month). And he (saws) said: 'It is like fasting the whole year.' " This is related by an-Nasa'i and by Ibn Hibban.

It is related that the Prophet (saws) would fast on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of one month and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the next month. He would also fast for three days at the beginning of the month, or on the first Thursday and the next two Mondays of the month.

 

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet (saws) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He (saws) was asked about that and he said: "The actions are presented (to Allah) on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every believer, except for those who are boycotting each other." This is related by Ahmad.

 

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,

 

 

Burhan

 

 


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