Class 5 – Intercession, Jihad, Wala and Hukm

Class – 5

Intercession, Jihad, Wala and Hukm

INTERCESSION

Q.1 Through what may we seek intercession with Allah?

A.

1. The permitted and desired form of intercession is to supplicate to Him by His Names and Attributes, and by righteous deeds, and by seeking the blessings of the righteous (who are living),

Allah says:

  • And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them“(V.7:180).
  • 0 you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him(V.5:35)

In his commentary on this verse Ibn Kathir mentioned a Hadith narrated by Qatadah:

The Messenger ﷺ said: “I ask You by all Your Names, with which You call Yourself” (Ahmad) 

And another HadIth in which he ﷺ said to one of his companions who asked to be with him in Paradise: “(You can) help me in this matter by frequent non-obligatory prayers.” (Muslim)  

Or follow the example of the three persons who were trapped in a cave (by a fallen rock) then they prayed to Allah mentioning their righteous deeds and Allah removed the rock and they were able to get out. It is permitted to pray for intercession to Allah mentioning our love of Him or the love of the Messenger ﷺ and pious persons, since our love for them is also considered an act of good deed.

2. Forbidden forms of intercession:

Praying to the dead, asking them for provisions and help, as is being done today. This is major form of Shirk, as Allah says: “And invoke not besides Allah, any that neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if(in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the Zálimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).” (V 10:106)

3. As for praying by the Messenger’s ﷺ  name, such as saying: “O Lord by the Messenger ﷺ  heal me’ This is an innovation which was not practiced by the Prophet’s ﷺ  companions.

When (‘Umar during his caliphate) sought the prayers of ‘Abbas – the Prophet’s uncle, as his closest living relative, he did not pray (for rain) seeking the intercession of the Prophet ﷺ after his death.

Prayer such as this could lead to Shirk if it is believed that Allah needs a human mediator such as a human prince or ruler, since this is comparing the Creator to His creation. Imam Abü Hanifa said: “I dislike supplication to Allah through anyone but Allah. (Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtâr)

Q.2 Does any supplication to Allah require a human intermediary?

A. No, a prayer does not require a human intermediary, as Allah says: “And when My slaves ask you (0 Muhammad ﷺ ) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge)” (V.2:186)

And the HadIth of the Prophet  ﷺ , “You pray to the One who hears all and is near, and He is with you (by His Knowledge).” (Muslim)

Q.3 Is it permitted to ask for the prayer of those who are living?

A. Yes, it is permitted to ask for the prayer of those who are living, but not from those who are dead. Allah said to the Messenger (when he was alive): “… And ask forgiveness for your sins, and also for (the sins of) believing men and believing women” (V.47:19)

A Hadith related by Tirmidhi says: A blind man came to the Prophet ﷺ  and asked: “Pray to Allah to heal me”.

Q.4 What Is the mediation of the Messenger ﷺ ?

A. The mediation of the Messenger ﷺ  is the transmission of Allah’s Message.

Allah says: “0 Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ )! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord“ (V.5:67)

In response to the testimony of the companions [during the farewell Hajj (pilgrimage).“We bear witness that you have transmitted the Message of Allah”. The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Allah, bear witness.” (Muslim)

Q.5 From whom may we seek the Messenger’s ﷺ  intercession?

A. We may seek the Messenger’s ﷺ  intercession from Allah alone, as Allah says: “Say: To Allah belongs all intercession” (V.39:44)

The Prophet ﷺ  taught his companions to pray: “0 Allah grant him (the Prophet ﷺ  ) intercession tor me. (Tirmidhi)

The Prophet ﷺ  also said: “I have kept unitl the Resurrection Day, my prayer for intercession and that will be granted by Allah’s Grace, for those of my followers who died worshipping none but Allah.” (Muslim)  

Q.6 May we request the intercession of the living?

A. We may request the intercession of the living in our worldly affairs only, as Allah says: “Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden” (V.4:85)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Intercede for others and you will be rewarded”. (Abü Dáwud)

Q.7 Should we be excessive In our praise for the Prophet ﷺ ?

A. No, we should not be excessive in our praise for him, as Allah said to the Prophet ﷺ  “Say (0 Muhammad ﷺ ): I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Iláh (God) is One lláh (God — i.e. Allah) ” (V.18:110)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians did for the son of Mary, for I am only a servant. So say (he is) Allah’s servant and Messenger”. (Bukhári)

(Exaggerated praise of a human being is called: Itra’)

Q.8 Who was the first human creation of Allah?

A. The first human created by Allah was Adam, and the first thing created was the pen. Allah says: “(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: Truly, I am going to create man from clay”. (V.38:7 1)

And as the Prophet ﷺ  said:

  • You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust.” (Al-B azzár)
  • The first thing created by Allah was the pen” (This is after the creation of water and the Throne)” (Abu Dâwud, Tirmidhi)

Regarding the HadIth: The first thing Allah created (0 Jabir) was the light of your Prophet” is a forgery, which contradicts the Qur’ân, Sunnareason and revelation.

As-Suyuti said of it: This (Hadith) has no supporting chain of narration. Al-Ghamari said of it: It is a forgery. Al Albani says: it is rejected.

JIHAD (Figthing)WALA’ (Loyalty) AND HUKM (Rule)

 Q.1 What is the status of Jihad for Allah’s sake in Islam?

A. Jihâd (fighting and struggle in the Cause of Allah) with one’s wealth, and speech; according to one’s ability is obligatory in Islam.

Allah says: “March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah.” (V.9:41)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “Fight against the idolaters with your wealth, lives and speech (according to your ability).” (Abu Dawud)

Q.2 What is Walâ’ (friendship, loyalty)?

A. Walâ’ (friendship, loyalty) is love and help of the faithful believers. Allah says: “The believers, men and women, are ‘Aullyd’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another “(V.9:71)

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The faithful believers are as a brick structure, each supporting the other”. (Muslim)

Q.3 Is seeking the friendship and help of the disbelievers permitted?

A. No, seeking the friendship and help of the disbelievers is not permitted.

Allah says: “… And if any amongst you takes them as ‘Auliyá’, then surely he is one of them ” (V.5:5 1)

The ﷺ  said: “The people of such-and-such clan are not my supporters (Auliyâ)”. (Bukhári and Muslim)  

Q.4 Who is a Wali (friend)?

A. A Wall is a true believer, who fears and loves Allah very much.

Allah says: “No doubt! Verily, the ‘Auliyâ’ of Allah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve, — 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”. (V.10:62,63)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “My only Wall are Allah and the most pious among the true believers.” (Bukhári and Muslim)

 Q.5 By what sources do the Muslims govern?

A. Muslims govern by the laws laid down in the Qur’ân and authentic AhádIth (traditions and actions of the Prophet).

Allah says: And so judge (you 0 Muhammad between them by what Allah has revealed…” (V.5:49)

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ  said: “O my people, I am but a human being (soon) my Lord’s Messenger will come to get me and I must answer him and I leave with you two great things, first, Allah’s Book, containing guidance and light, so take Allah’s Book and hold fast to it.” He ﷺ  urged them to act upon Allah’s Book and said: “The second is my family.” (Muslim)

The Prophet ﷺ  said: “I am leaving two things with you, you will never go astray if you hold fast to them. And they are: Allah’s Book and the Sunna (traditions, sayings and actions) of His Messenger. (Malik)