Seeking forgiveness for a Mushrik

The second question of Fatwa no. 18456: Q 2: Is it permissible for a Muslim to ask Allah’s forgiveness for his dead parents who used to visit the graves and cook and eat food there at the graves of their family? They believed that this food is Sadaqah (voluntary charity) in behalf of the dead and they sought blessings through the Waliy (a pious person) buried in the shrine. My parents used to view Sufi leaders as Awliya’ (pious people) ( Part No : 1, Page No: 347) and might go to sorcerers and believe their myths. In fact, they did so thinking that these actions pertain to Islam because they never knew that these actions are prohibited. Thus, these actions were done out of ignorance and negligence, not out of stubbornness. What is the ruling of Islam on the person who commits Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) out of ignorance and negligence and dies before knowing this reality? Will they abide in Hell forever? Is it permissible to ask Allah’s forgiveness for them? A: In their visits to the graves, if your parents seek relief from and invoke the dead apart from Allah, believe the sorcerers and die in such a state, it will not be permissible for you to ask Allah’s forgiveness for them. Allah (may He be Exalted) says, Having food at the graves and going to sorcerers without believing them, however, are misdeeds that do not prevent the Muslim to ask Allah’s forgiveness for their doers. On the other hand, anyone who supplicates to other than Allah and dies in such a state has died in Shirk and will be treated like a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). If a Muslim commits such actions out of ignorance, his affairs will be left to the Will of Allah, and we only judge him according to the acts of Shirk he openly commits. ( Part No : 1, Page No: 348) May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions! Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ Source http://alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?View=Page&PageID=9991&PageNo=1&BookID=7

Threat and Punishment to Polytheists

Q 2: why does Allah dispraise polytheism and threaten polytheists of everlasting punishment in Hellfire? A: Allah abhors polytheism and threatens polytheists that He will not forgive them and will cause them to undergo the perpetual residence in Hell if they die without repenting and quitting polytheism. Indeed, it is the most grievous sin and the greatest thing which Allah prohibited. Therefore, Allah (may He be Praised) informed us that He does not forgive its doer if he dies as a disbeliever and does not repent of his polytheistic actions. Moreover, his good deeds will be void, as none is more deviated than him. Allah (may He be Exalted) says, Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allâh (in worship), he has indeed invented a tremendous sin. And He also says, Verily joining others in worship with Allâh is a great Zûlm (wrong) indeed. So anyone who associates others with Allah is equating between the Creator and His creation and makes the creature a rival to Allah and assigns for him the acts of worship which they do not deserve. Therefore, Allah threatens its doer with perpetual residence in Hell. Allah (Glorified is He) says, And whatever you spend for spendings (e.g. in Sadaqah – charity for Allâh’s Cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allâh knows it all. And for the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers) there are no helpers. ( Part No : 1, Page No: 344) When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked, “Which sin is the greatest?” He said, “To make a rival to Allah although He created you.” It is said, “What is next?” He said, “To kill your children for fear that they join you in food.” It is said, “What is next?” It is said, “To have sex with the wife of your neighbor.” So Allah revealed, And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allâh, nor kill such person as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse. Source http://alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?View=Page&PageID=9988&PageNo=1&BookID=7

Saying “I thank Allah and thank you”

Q 4: Is saying “I thank Allah and thank you” considered a sort of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)?

 

 

( Part No : 1, Page No: 365)

A: It is not permissible to use the coordinating conjunction “and” in the phrase “I thank Allah and thank you,” for it indicates bringing two things to equal terms. One should say instead, “I thank Allah; then, I thank you,” for “then” means next.

 

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!

 

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ 

 

 

Member	Member	Member	Member	The Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd	`Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh	Salih Al-Fawzan	`Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan	`Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

 

( Part No : 1, Page No: 366)