In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent and Most Merciful
Some muslims hold a deviated belief that Our dear beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is Omni-present (Haazir and Naazir) and All-Knowing (Alim-ul-Ghaib). Prophet (pbuh) was granted the knowledge of Ghaib by Allah and he has the most knowledge of Ghaib among the creation which make him (Ambaa-ul-Ghaib) possessor of knowledge of Ghaib given by Allah. But this is not All encompassing knowledge of Ghaib and currently happening things about all creation (except which is given by Allah). These actually are the qualities (Sifaat) of Allah Ta’ala only. As Allah is present with His Knowledge and Power everywhere (i.e., Allah is All-Aware) and Allah knows everything (seen and unseen). The outcome of this deviated belief is to call Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) for help instead of Allah Ta’ala by saying (Ya Rasulullah), to stand when reciting Salaam on Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) believing that he is present on that occasion with them and many other innovated actions.
Here is an excellent treatise compiled by scholars to answer this deviated belief from Quran and Sunnah:
Muhtaram mufti sahab,
One of my brothers went to Syria to learn Arabic,he took bay’ah to shaykh nooh in Jordan.none of us is knowledgeable enough to discuss the shariyaah but, we had some general discussion about deobandis and barelwis. according to him,there is ikhtilaaf in the views of scholars about the omnipresence of our prophet (p.b.u.h.).and not only in India but also in some other parts of the world there r people who believe rasulullah(p.b.u.h.)to be hazir nazir and they stand up and read salato salam etc. some people don’t see anything wrong in saying ‘ ya’ before speaking name of our prophet( p.b.u.h.),because they argue that when we read attahiyyat in our prayer we say,
”assalmu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu” which means “peace be upon u, o prophet”
So they believe saying these words “peace be upon u, o prophet” means we r saying it directly to our prophet (p.b.u.h.) and if it is allowed to say it in prayer than there is nothing wrong to speak them without prayer. and further more they say that life of barzakh has no limitations of distance(they r for live human beings only),so when we say ‘ya rasulullah’ from anywhere in the world it means our prophet(p.b.u.h.) can still listen us as he is alive in his pious grave i.e. a’alame barzakh
and that’s why we can not reject the view of omnipresence of our prophet( p.b.u.h.).
now,according to our aqeeda of ahlus sunnah wal jama’ah it is kufr to believe in omnipresence of rasulullah (p.b.u.h.),and saying ya rasulullah believing him to be there. I’m not able to explain him,i would appreciate if u can help us with detailed explanation,specially about the purpose of the words of attahiyyat.
please make duaa for all of us to be on right path always
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
1. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Noble Quran: “Say no one in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah.” (Naml 65)
2. Allah Ta’ala mentions: “Surely, it is only Allah who has knowledge of the Hour; and He sends down the rain, and He knows what is in the wombs. No one knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no one knows in which land he will die. Surely, Allah is All Knowing, All Aware.” (Luqman 34).
3. Allah Ta’ala mentions: “They say if we return to Madina the more honourable will remove the lower” class. (Munafiqoon 8).
Sayyiduna Zaid ibn Arqam رضي الله تعالى عنهrelates that he went out on battle with Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. During the journey he heard Ibn Ubayy say to his companions “do not spend on the companions of the messenger and if we return to Madina the more honourable will remove the lower class from Madina”. Sayyiduna Zaidرضي الله تعالى عنه related this to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمsent for Ibn Ubayy and his friends and asked them regarding this. They took an oath that they did not say such a thing. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم accepted what they said and did not accept what I said. I became very disheartened and I just sat in my home until this verse was revealed. After this verse was revealed Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent for me and recited this verse to me. Thereafter Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم commented that Allah Ta’ala has confirmed what you have said. (Ibn Khathir 4/334)
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم knew the unseen and if Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم was omnipresent why did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم not accept Sayyiduna Zaid رضي الله تعالى عنه’s statement the first time?
4. Allah Ta’ala mentions: “O you who believe, if a sinful person brings you a report, verify its correctness, lest you should harm a people out of ignorance, and then become remorseful on what you did.” (Hujurat 6)
Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم had an appointment with the leader of the Banu Mustaliq tribe that he will send someone on a certain date to collect the zakah. On the appointed date no one arrived at the Banu Mustaliq tribe to receive the zakah from them, so they became worried that it should not be that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم is upset with them as Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمwill never go against his word. The leader of the Banu Mustaliq, Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنه, gathered his chiefs and noble people and decided that they will go and meet Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. At the same time Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent Sayyiduna Walid رضي الله تعالى عنه to collect the zakah. On the way Sayyiduna Walid رضي الله تعالى عنه became scared so he returned and told Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم that the Banu Mustaliq refused to pay zakah and they intended to kill him. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent an army to go and meet with Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنه. On the way the met with Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنهand his people who were on their way to meet with Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنهenquired form them where they were going to. The army replied that they were on their way to combat with him. He asked the reason for this to which they replied that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent Sayyiduna Walid رضي الله تعالى عنه to collect the zakah from them to which they refused and intended to kill him. Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنهtook an oath that no one approached him and he did not even see Sayyiduna Walid رضي الله تعالى عنه. When Sayyiduna Harith رضي الله تعالى عنهcame to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم told him “you refused to pay zakah and you intended to kill my messenger!” He replied that by that being who sent you with the truth he did not come to me nor did I even see him. It was only when we saw no messenger has come that we came to meet with you as we feared that it should not be that Allah and His messenger is upset with us. It was then that these verses were revealed. (Ibn Khathir 4/187)
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم knew the unseen and if Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم was omnipresent what was the reason for sending an army against the Banu Mustaliq?
5. “Say I have no power to benefit or harm myself except what Allah Ta’ala wishes. Had I known the unseen, I would have accumulated a lot of good, and no evil would have touched me. I am only a warner, and give glad tidings to those who believe.” (A’raf 188)
6. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم passed by some grave and asked does anyone know who the inmates of these graves are? Someone from the gathering replied I know. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم asked when did they pass away? This person replied that it was during the time of ascribing partners to Allah Ta’ala that they passed away. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said verily this nation will be tested in their graves. Had it not been that you will not burry your deceased, I would have asked Allah Ta’ala to make you hear the punishment of the grave that which I hear. (Mishkat 25 with ref to Muslim)
Why did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم have to ask if anybody knew the inmates of these graves and when did they pass away?
7. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said I would have loved to see my brothers. The honourable Sahaba رضوان الله تعالى عليهم replied are we not your brothers? Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم replied you are my companions. My brothers are those who have not yet come. Sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهم asked Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمhow will he recognize those who still have to come in his ummah. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم replied if a person has shining horses between dark horses will he not recognize his horses? The sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمreplied yes he will. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said my ummah will come shining due to the effects of wudhu and I will be their fore comer at the pond. (Mishkat 40 with ref to Muslim)
This narration shows that sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمdid not believe that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمknew the unseen. Also if Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم knew the unseen he should have replied that the life of barzakh has no limitations, I know them. Rather, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم said I will see them and recognize them by effects of wudhu.
8. On the Day of Judgment some people will come to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم to drink from the pond. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم will recognize them and they will recognize Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم. They will be prevented from getting got drink. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم will say they are from me. The reply will be given the you do not know what they invented after you. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمwill then say go go far away with those you changed after me. (Mishkat 487 with ref to Bukhari and Muslim)
It is clear from this narration that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم does not know the unseen neither the barzakh life which has no limitations allow him to know what the people are doing after him.
9. When Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم returned from mi’raj the disbelievers became asking Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم about Bait al-Maqdis. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم mentions I become extremely worried, so Allah Ta’ala raised Bait al-Maqdis so that I could see it. The disbelievers did not ask anything except that I answered. (Mishkat 529 with ref to Muslim)
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم had knowledge of the unseen and was omnipresent why did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم become extremely worried? What was the need to raise Bait al-Maqdis.
10. During one journey Sayyidatuna Aisha رضي الله تعالى عنها lost her necklace. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم and the sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهم began to look for it. There was no water. All the sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهم were very perturbed. Later on the necklace was found under the camel.(Bukhari 2/663)
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم was omnipresent and had knowledge of the unseen what was the need of going out to look for it and all the sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمgetting so perturbed?
11. When Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم married Sayyidatuna Zainab رضي الله تعالى عنهاHe invited the sahabaرضي الله تعالى عنهم for meals. After eating, the sahabaرضي الله تعالى عنهم sat and were talking. They sat for a very long time. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمleft the gathering. After some time when Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم thought they had left he returned but the sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمhad still not returned. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم returned until he reached the room of Sayyidatuna Aisha رضي الله تعالى عنها and he thought that they left, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم returned.
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمwas omnipresent and had knowledge of the unseen why did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمthink that they left only to find that they had not left?
12. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم once sent out a small army consisting of ten sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهم. Two hundred people from the enemy surrounded them. The leader of the sahaba, Sayyiduna Asim رضي الله تعالى عنه,made dua O Allah inform you Nabi regarding us. (Bukhari 2/568)
This shows that the Sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمdid not believe that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمhad knowledge of the unseen and was not omnipresent.
13. Some people came to Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم and requested that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent someone who could teach them Quran and Sunnah. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent seventy Sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهم who were known as the Qura. On the way these people attacked these Qura and killed them. These Sahaba رضي الله تعالى عنهمmade dua: O Allah inform our Nabi on our behalf that we have met You. You are happy with us and we are happy with You.
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمhad knowledge of the unseen why did Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sent these Sahaba and why did these Sahaba made dua that Allah Ta’ala inform Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم on their behalf?
14. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid: Verily you bring your disputes to me. It could be that some are more eloquent in presenting the arguments resulting in that I rule in his favour. If I rule for someone that which he is not liable to receive, then I am giving him a portion of fire, so he should not accept it.
If Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم knew the unseen he would have ruled for the person whose right it is.
15. One night there was some noises outside Madina. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمborrowed the horse of Abu Talha and went to see what it is. When Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمreturned he said I did not find anything.
What was the need for Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمto go out and see if he knew the unseen.
16. During one battle Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمasked who will go and get some information of the enemy? Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid this thrice.
Had Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمknown the unseen what was the need of sending out a spy?
17. “Verily Allah Ta’ala appointed some angels who travel through the earth and convey the salam of my ummah to me.” (Mishkat with ref to Nasa’I and Darmi)
If the life of barzakh had no limitations and Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمcould directly hear the salam what is the need for Allah Ta’ala appointing separate angels for this task?
When writing a letter, e-mail or even whilst talking on the phone, everybody speaks in second person. Does this mean that the other person is hazir nazir??? Similarly, using the second person in tashahhud does not demand that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمbe hazir nazir.
There are many other proofs that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم did not have knowledge of the unseen and was not omnipresent. Some proofs are:
- The incident of accusing Sayyidatuna Aisha رضي الله تعالى عنها.
- Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله تعالى عنه knocked on Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم door. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمasked who is there.
- Incident of the dog under Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم bed.
- Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمeating the poisoned meat in Khaibar.
- Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم being prevented from Umrah.
- During the period in Hudaibiyyah the news spreading of Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله تعالى عنهmartyrdom.
- Before consuming anything Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمwould ask if its sadaqah or hadiyyah.
- Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمgiving bay’ah to a person not knowing that he was a slave.
- Incident of Sayyiduna Hatib ibn Abi Balta’a رضي الله عنه before conquest of Makkah.
10. The incident of doing black magic against Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم.
11. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله تعالى عنهwas lying sown in the masjid. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمentered and enquired does anybody know where is Abu Hurayrah?
12. Are all the dates of Khaibar like this?
13. Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمasked Manil Qawn Manil Wafd?
14. The incident where in Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمcalled Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله تعالى عنهAbu Turab.
15. The incident wherein in Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلمpassed by some dates and remarked had I not feared it being sadaqah I would have partaken from it.
Etc etc. etc…
We make dua that Allah Ta’ala keep us all on the straight path. Ameen.
And Allah knows best
Wassalamu Alaikum
Ml. Ishaq E. Moosa,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah