Your ‘Wasila’ should be your prayers, ibadaats, deeds..

“O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive (with might and main) in His cause: that ye may prosper.” [Surah Al Ma’idah 5:35]

A large no of scholars and Mufassirs have explained the word “Wasila” as a method to get closer to Allah by doing good deeds. In “Tafsir Ibn Kathir”, Ibn Kathir writes that no Mufassir has disregarded the above meaning and all of them agree upon it.

Moreover in Sahih Bukhari we find a Hadith Qudsi which explains that one gets closer to Allah and is loved by Him when he offers his compulsory and optional prayers.

In Sahih Muslim we come across a hadith narrated on the authority of Rabia b.Kaab, in which he said:

“I was with Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) one night, and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: “Ask (anything you like)”. I said: “I ask for your company in Paradise.” He (the Holy Prophet) said: “or anything else besides it.” I said: “That is all (what I require)”. He said: “Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration” [Sahih Muslim]

It is repeatedly stated in The Quran that along with accepting Islamic faith one is expected to do good deeds. From the above mentioned hadith we come to know that the meaning of finding a Wasila towards Allah is to do good deeds. Dua or calling upon Allah is one of the most prestigious act which one can do. That’s why our Prophet told us that calling upon Allah is a prayer and if we don’t ask from Allah then He gets angry with us. Similarly in Quran we have:

“And your Lord says: “Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell – in humiliation!” [Surah Ghafir 40:60]

“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way.” [Surah Al Baqarah 2:186]

People forget or ignore the fact that victory is granted by Allah the All-Mighty Alone and that it is not in the hands of any other creation. Allah the All-Mighty says in the Noble Quran:

“… there is no help except from Allah. The Exalted, the Wise:” [Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:126]

“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? in Allah, then, Let believers put their trust.” [Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:160]

When we look in The Quran and the Sahih hadith, we find many supplications. Important thing about them is that they reflect a direct relationship between the suppliant and Allah. There is no third person or a source involved between the two. No Prophet associated any pious person or a senior Prophet (before him) in his supplication as an intercessor while calling Allah. If this is the case, then what permits anyone to use pious people or Prophets as intercessors while calling Allah. If we can’t find our Prophet or his companions do such a thing then how can we do it on our own. It is certainly not a good deed, in fact it is lethal. There are some narrations which are commonly presented as evidence to intimate wasila regarding rank or status of a dead Person, but the truth is that they are either unauthentic or misunderstood. Please read the article Intimating Wasila Regarding Rank or Status of a Dead Person for details.

The religion of Islam is based on two great principles:

That Allah Alone is to be worshipped.

That the worship should be according to the path shown by the Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam).

This is the meaning of the Shahadah i.e. the Statement of Faith: “There is no god except Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah”. Therefore, it will be a contradiction of this principle if anyone invokes the dead including the Prophets or others or invokes idols, trees and stones, etc. and seeks their help or seeks to gain favour from them by offering sacrifices of animals or vows or praise for them or prostrates to them. It will be an act of associating others as Lords of the creation besides Allah the All-Mighty; it will also amount to setting up of rivals to Allah. In other words, it will be a negation of this basic tenet. It must also be mentioned that anyone who introduces into religion something which has not been permitted by Allah, will be failing to abide by the meaning of the Shahadah that “Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah.”

If one makes a pious dead person an intercessor of his supplications to Allah, then he is indulging himself in innovations which may lead to Shirk (Polytheism). Today we find a large number of people calling the dead and thinking that they have the ability to convey their message to Allah. They say like:

“O’ Jesus, O’ Ali, O’ Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam), O’ Ghaus, O’ Abdul Qadir, O’ Pir Sb, please help us convey our message to Allah as He cannot say no to you and we don’t feel confident that He (Allah) will listen to us”

They make these persons as intercessors and do not fear about the biggest Sin i.e. Shirk (Polytheism). To assume that any of the pious departed slaves of Allah, or anyone else in creation other than Allah Alone can hear one’s invocations in the unseen, let alone has the power and ability to answer them or get them answered, is a clear and manifest form of the most heinous of sins: ‘shirk’ with Allah. One of the Noble and Exclusive Attributes of Allah is that He Alone is the All-Hearing. To assume that anyone or anything in creation can hear us in the unseen, let alone having the ability and power to answer or respond to our invocations, is to share one of Allah ’s Exclusive and Sole Attributes with one amongst His creation; and that is a clear and manifest form of the sin of ‘shirk’! If one commits Shirk then he earns hell forever. Polytheists of Makkah also had these sort of believes, and Quran mentions it as:

“They serve, besides Allah, things that hurt them not nor profit them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with God.” Say: “Do ye indeed inform Allah of something He knows not, in the heavens or on earth?- Glory to Him! and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!”” [Surah Yunus 10:18]

“Is it not to Allah that sincere devotion is due? But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): “We only serve them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah.” Truly Allah will judge between them in that wherein they differ. But Allah guides not such as are false and ungrateful.” [Surah Al Zumar 39:3]

There is not a major Surah in the Quran, where Allah has not warned the believers against this heinous practice and abomination of taking ‘wasila’, or invoking others with Allah in the unseen! The noble and pious departed slaves of Allah never advocated such a practice, nor did it behove them to do so!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created. (They are things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised up.” [Surah Al Nahl 16:20-21]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“Behold! verily to Allah belong all creatures, in the heavens and on earth. What do they follow who worship as His “partners” other than Allah? They follow nothing but fancy, and they do nothing but lie.” [Surah Yunus 10:66]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“He merges Night into Day, and he merges Day into Night, and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law): each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord: to Him belongs all Dominion. And those whom ye invoke besides Him have not the least power. If ye invoke them, they will not listen to your call, and if they were to listen, they cannot answer your (prayer). On the Day of Judgment they will reject your “Partnership”. and none, (O man!) can tell thee (the Truth) like the One Who is acquainted with all things.” [Surah Fatir 35:13-14]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“Prophet, say to them: “Do ye see what it is ye invoke besides Allah? Show me what it is they have created on earth, or have they a share in the heavens? Bring me a Book (Revealed) before this, or any remnant of knowledge (ye may have), if ye are telling the truth! And who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah, such as will not answer him to the Day of Judgement, and who (in fact) are unconscious of their call (to them)? And when mankind are gathered together (at the Resurrection), they will be hostile to them and reject their worship (altogether)!”” [Surah Al Ahqaf 46:4-6]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“And they have taken (for worship) gods other than Allah, to give them power and glory! Instead, they shall reject their worship, and become adversaries against them.” [Surah Maryam 19:81-82]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“When those who gave partners to Allah will see their “partners”, they will say: “Our Lord! these are our ‘partners,’ those whom we used to invoke besides Thee.” But they will throw back their word at them (and say): “Indeed ye are liars!” That Day shall they (openly) show (their) submission to Allah; and all their inventions shall leave them in the lurch.” [Surah Al Nahl 16:86-87]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to Him. Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created? No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves! If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same whether ye call them or ye hold your peace! Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful! Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say: “Call your ‘god-partners’, scheme (your worst) against me, and give me no respite! “For my Protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to time), and He will choose and befriend the righteous.” [Surah Al A’raf 7:190-196]

Invoking other beings in creation in the unseen is a clear manifestation of the abomination and ‘the’ most heinous of sins in the deen of Islam, that is, ‘shirk’! Allah has singled out this one sin as absolutely ‘unforgivable’ on the Day of Judgment, and has guaranteed the everlasting and unending punishment of the Fire of Hell to all those who die in the state of ‘shirk’, no matter what amount of good deeds they might have done! Such is the gravity of this abomination of ‘shirk’ or invoking other beings in creation in the Sight of Allah , the One and Only Lord of the Worlds!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“… Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.” [Surah Al Ma’idah 5:72]

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed.” [Surah Al-Nisa’ 4:48]

Indeed, it is Allah ALONE Who can and does hear, and respond to all our invocations. He Alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing, All-Knowing, and knows even the inner-most secrets and desires of our hearts. He Alone is the All-Mighty and All-Powerful, and He Alone has the Ability and Means to answer all our invocations. He Alone is our Creator and Sustainer, and He Alone deserves our invocations, our worship, our absolute obedience, and our total and absolute submission! And this is the precise Message of The Oneness of Allah or ‘Tawheed’ that was taught by each and every Messenger of Allah to mankind.

If one takes the term ‘wasila’ to mean a way or approach to get close to Allah with one’s ‘taqwa’ or God-consciousness and ones own righteous good deeds; that is a state highly recommended by Allah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran:

“O ye who believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive (with might and main) in His cause: that ye may prosper.” [Surah Al Ma’idah 5:35]

If one takes the term ‘wasila’ out of its original context to mean glorifying, serving, and invoking other beings in creation in the unseen as a way or approach to get things from Allah, that would be a clear and open manifestation of the abomination of ’shirk’. Your ‘wasila’ should be your prayers, ibadaats, deeds.

A hadith in Sahih Muslim also throws light upon the faith of the polytheists of Makkah. Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the polytheists recited the Talbiya as:

“Here I am at your service, there is no associate with You. The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) said: Woe be upon them, as they also said: But one associate with You, You possess mastery over him, but he does not possess mastery (over You). They used to say this and circumbulate the Kaaba (house of Allah)” [Sahih Muslim]

So when Allah never made anyone His partner then how can people associate partners or intercessors with Him. Some people argue that these verses are for idols and not human beings, as the polytheists used to worship idols and not human beings. Well its very simple to answer this, just open the most authentic book of ahadith The Sahih Bukhari, and you will find in the chapter of Tafseer that the idols worshipped in Prophet Noah’s time were actually reminders of Pious people before them. Second evidence is provided by the conquest of Makkah. When the Prophet took charge of The Kaaba he threw away all the idols and amongst them found idols of the Prophet Abrahim and Ismail (Bukhari Kitab Al-Maghazi). So all these idols were reminders of human beings and the following Quranic verse makes it clear to understand this fact:

“Verily those whom ye call upon besides Allah are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful!” [Surah Al A’raf 7:194]

“Those whom they call upon do seek (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), – as to who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the Wrath of thy Lord is something to take heed of.” [Surah Al Isra’ 17:57]

No one merely worshipped an idol of wood or stone. Worshipping of idols by Hindus and Fire by Majoosis (fire worshippers) is based on the fact that they used idols and fire as a source or media to worship God. It’s a pity that many Muslims today have the same believes like these Hindus and think that these dead or alive pious people would get them closer to God. Some say that God is in them and everything is God. Some say that Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) can save them from Allah but if Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) gets hold of anyone then no one can help. These concepts of polytheism came only because Quran was not read and understood properly. By looking up in the Quran, we find that if Allah decides to punish someone then that person cannot be helped by anyone, even the Prophets of Allah become helpless at that moment.

The story of the Prophet Noah and His son is a very good example to explain the point. When Noah (peace be upon him) saw his son drowning, he cried to his Lord and said: “”O my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art the justest of Judges!” He said: “O Noah! He is not of thy family: For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!”” [Surah Hud 11:45-46]

Now an honest look at the above mentioned Quranic verse clearly explains that even the Prophet of Allah could not save his own son, although he had been preaching Allah’s religion for 950 years. In Quran Allah told His Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam):

“It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one, whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will and He knows best those who receive guidance.” [Surah Al Qasas 28:56]

Moreover in hadith of Sahih Bukahri and Sahih Muslim we find Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) advising his relatives to do good deeds. He clearly told them that it was not possible for him to save them from Allah’s anger. He specifically made it very clear to his own daughter Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her), that he would be unable do anything for her, once in front of Allah on the day of judgement. He advised her to do good deeds in order to save herself from Allah’s wrath. Now these examples from Sahih Ahadith clearly explain the true concept of Wasila.

O yes! The supplication of the Prophet was definitely a wasila for his companions. They used to come to him for their problems and asked him to pray for them. The prophet used to pray for them and Allah solved their problems. But this was when he was alive. After he died, his companions never went to his grave to use him as an intercessor between Allah and themselves. They were very clear that once someone dies, he breaks his links with this world and is not aware of what happens behind him. This was the reason that during the need for rain (after Prophet’s death) they (Prophet’s companions) never went to his grave, they used to go to his uncle Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), to invoke Allah for the rain. Anas (RA) narrated:

“Whenever drought threatened them, Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to ask Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib to invoke Allah for rain. He used to say, ‘O Allah! We used to ask our Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) to invoke You for rain, and You would bless us with rain, and now we ask his uncle to invoke You for rain. O Allah! Bless us with rain’. And so it would rain.” [Bukhari – Chapter Al-Istisqa (Invoking Allah for rain)]

It is of great importance to notice that it is permissible for one to request a living religious person to invoke Allah on his behalf but if you ask Allah through a dead or an absent (person etc) then it is not allowed. Moreover we find in this hadith that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) also prayed to Allah himself. Thus praying to Allah by oneself is also essential, apart from requesting someone else to pray on behalf of someone.

So it is very obvious now that the companions of the Prophet never went to his grave to solve their problems. This was because they were trained that way. The following hadith taken from Sahih Muslim would explain the teachings of the Prophet about graves:

“Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: As the messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) was about to breathe his last, he drew his sheet upon his face and when he felt uneasy, he uncovered his face and said in this very state: Let there be curse upon the Jews and the Christians that they have taken the graves of their Apostles as places of worship. He in fact warned (his followers) against what they (the Jews and the Christians) did.” [Sahih Muslim]

“Narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), she said: The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) said during his illness from which he never recovered: Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians that they took the graves of their Prophets as masajid. She (Aisha) reported: Had it not been so, his (Prophet) grave would have been in an open place, but it could not be, due to the fear that it may not be taken as a masjid.” [Sahih Muslim]

Islam warns against any form of innovation and invalidates any religious deed which does not originate from the Quran and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), says in this respect: “He who innovates something that is not in agreement with our matter (religion), will have it rejected.” [Al Bukhari and Muslim]

This is because innovation in religion is an opposition to Islam; it implies that our religion is incomplete and imperfect with regards to the matters of worship.

In a Hadith narrated by Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman: The people used to ask Allah’s Apostle about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?” He said, “Yes.” I said, ‘Will there be any good after that evil?” He replied, “Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)” I asked, “What will be its taint?” He replied, “(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others.” I asked, “Will there be any evil after that good?” He replied, “Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?” He said, “They will be from our own people and will speak our language.” I said, “What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?” He said, “Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam (ruler).” I said, “If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?” He said, “Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state.” (Sahih Bukhari, Book #88, Hadith #206)

I conclude this article with the following.

When our beloved Prophet left this world the news fell like a thunderbolt on his companions. All were stunned because of the ardent love and esteem they had for him.

The Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) was so gracious and considerate that his every companion believed himself to be the closest to him and never had any misgivings about his love and confidence. It was the reliance born of absolute trust mingled with devotion that had made it difficult for some of them to think of the day when the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) would depart from this world leaving them alone. One of these was ‘Umar, who had been one of the closest to the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) , and when he was told that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) was already dead, he protested violently. He went so far as to address the people in the Prophet’s mosque and told them that Allah’s Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) would not quit this world until Allah had destroyed the hypocrites. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)

A man of determination and courage was needed at this difficult hour. And, this man was Abu Bakr, the most senior of the Prophet’s companions, who had been selected by Allah to take over the legacy of the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) with a firm hand.

When the news reached him, he hurried back from his house. For a moment he stopped at the door of the mosque where ‘Umar was resolutely speaking to the people. without paying heed to anybody, he proceeded to Aisha’s room where the dead body of the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) lay covered with a mantle. He uncovered the Prophet’s face and kissed it. Then, he proceeded to say “My father and mother be your ransom. You have tasted the death Allah had decreed for you, a second death will never overtake you.”

Replacing the mantle on the Prophet’s face, he then went out to the Mosque. ‘Umar was still making a harangue to the people, so he said gently, “Umar, keep quiet.” But ‘Umar was too excited to listen to Abu Bakr.

Now, Abu Bakr realized that ‘Umar was not in a mood to terminate his speech. So he stepped forward and called out to the people, whereupon they came round to him leaving ‘Umar.

Abu Bakr praised Allah and then said: “O Men, if any one of you worshipped Muhammed, let him know that Muhammed is dead. But if anyone worships Allah, then Allah is alive and He will never die.”

Then he recited the Quranic verse: “Muhammad is no more than an apostle: many Were the apostle that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then Turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude.” [Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:144]

So dear brothers & sisters! Call upon Allah ONLY. Call on Him without making anyone as an intercessor or associating anyone with Him. Allah knows what we have in our hearts. Surely He listens to His people and fulfils their needs. It does not feel good to know that so many of our Muslim brothers have wandered some distance away from the Holy Quran and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). May Allah Guide us all towards Him and may He have mercy on us all.

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.