Grave Worshippers: Altering of names does not change the Reality

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Saleh al Fawzaan states in his explanation of Kitab at-Tawhid under the chapter [From Shirk is to seek Aid and Assistance (after a calamity befalls) from other than Allaah or to Call Upon Others]:

“Indeed Shaikh ul-Islam ibn Tamiyyah mentioned in one of his works – or rather, in many of his works – paraphrased as follows; Indeed that which occurs to the grave worshippers in terms of their needs being fulfilled [i.e. the affair they seek at the grave actually occurs for them], then that is not an evidence upon the correctness of their methodology [i.e. the methodology of grave worship], because obtaining what is desired is [a means of] trial and test upon them from Allah… so this is not from the beneficial affairs for the grave worshipper, so if something does occur from what they desire then it is [actually] a degradation from Allah upon them… [despite the fact that he may think he is upon the correct methodology and be pleased and therefore continue upon his way believing his request has “apparently” been answered by the dead in the graves that he calls upon!].

Furthermore, Shaikh ul-Islam mentioned also, that it is possible the shayaateen [referring to the devils of jinn in this instance] sometimes take the appearance of the one buried and rise up from the grave in that appearance and speak to the people who are calling upon the dead. They then say to them we will take care of your needs, and they bring them items from far away, they may steal from the items of the people and bring them… and the one who was calling upon the dead thinks this is actually the dead individual himself who has arisen from the grave since the shaytaan has taken that appearance! In reality the actual dead individual does not have the slightest idea of what is occuring above his grave! Rather he is preoccupied with himself, either in blessings or punishments of the grave.

Thereafter, when the people are all raised on the Day of Recompense, those dead individuals on that Day will declare their innocence of the mushrikoon who used to call upon their graves in this World…”

[Translators Note: For further details on issues of grave worship and seeking intercession etc, an excellent source of information are the various books of Shaikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, namely Kashf as-Shubuhaat (Exposition of the Doubts), as well as Kitab at-Tawhid, al-Qawaaid al-‘Arba’a (Four Foundations of Shirk)… exactly the types of books the scholars advise with in the early stages of seeking knowledge].

Shaikh Raslaan (may Allaah preserve him) states in his Sharh of al-Qawaaid al-‘Arba’a :

“Making vows to the dead regarding spending (one’s wealth) and other than it; offering sacrificial slaughters by a grave; seeking intercession through it and (seeking) ones needs from that are the very same things the pre-Islamic people of ignorance used to do. They used to perform these (acts) for those things they gave the names ‘Wa-than-engraved images’ and ‘Sanam-idols’; whilst the grave worshippers perform these (acts) to what they call ‘Waliy-friend of Allaah’, ‘Qabr-Grave’ and ‘Mash-had ‘holy site’.

And neither do names have an influence nor do they change meanings by way of what language, common sense and the legislated texts necessitate; for indeed the one who drinks alcohol and calls it water has not drank anything else except alcohol, and he is punished with the punishment given to the one who drank alcohol. And perhaps the punishment for him is increased due to the deceit and lies (he utilized in giving that false name to the alcohol).

And Iblees (may the curse of Allaah be upon him) was the first one who gave praiseworthy names to a thing that incurred the Anger of Allaah and was an act of disobedience to Him (The Most High); because (Allaah said that Iblees said to the father of mankind Aadam):

“O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?” [Surah Taha, 20:120]

So, he (Iblees) named the tree which Allaah forbade Adam (alayhis salaam) to approach ‘The Tree of Eternity’.”

[See: Sharh Al-Qawaa-id Al-Arba-a of Shaikh Raslaan: page: 53]

May Allah place ease into the affair of seeking knowledge, in order that we may remove ignorance from ourselves and others, for indeed the numbers of individuals that have succumbed to the whispers of the Shaytaan in such affairs as mentioned above are of considerable proportions across the World.