http://www.aswj.com.

au/habibumar/

Bismillah was salatu wassalamu „ala rusulillaah

We praise Allaah, the most worthy of praise. There is no deity worthy of worship but He, and
He has Power over all things. We ask Him to bless the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad His
servant and Messenger (‫)و س لم ع ل يه هللا ص لي‬.

Within the last month the community of Sydney has been bombarded with an intense
marketing campaign for the upcoming “Habib Umar tour”. Whilst pamphlets have been
distributed to nearly every masjid and Islamic centre in Sydney, the question remains – Who
is Habib Umar? The marketing campaign has painted a picture that Habib Umar is a scholar,
a man of immense knowledge and wisdom, however our careful research has found some
alarming information.

Our research has shown a few critical errors in the beliefs and innovations which Habib Umar
propagates. Accordingly, we have provided the proof so all may bear witness to it, followed
by a concise correction of each belief.

Our aim is not to attack a particular individual, rather it is intended to protect the believers
from falling into erroneous beliefs and actions.

All Praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon the
Messengers and Prophets, and upon the final Messenger, Muhammad (‫)و س لم ع ل يه هللا ص لي‬, his
family and companions.

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Association of Australia

aswj.com.au

The Evidence
The clear evidence that Habib Umar endorses and encourages the practice of Madad can be
found on his official website (www.alhabibomar.com) in his Fataawa section.

Click here for the direct link:

Fatwa 1: Arabic | English

Source: Official Habib Umar Website

Question:

Is the mawlid (the Prophet‟s Birthday celebration) halal or haram? And those who supplicate
to the awliyaa‟ (saints), is this halal or haram?

Answer:

The gatherings of the mawlid is similar to other gatherings: if it involves good and righteous
actions such as reading the Qur‟an, remembrance of the Merciful (Allah), sending God's
blessings and peace upon the Prophet (PBUH), generously feeding the hungry for Allah's
sake, praising Allah Almighty, recounting the virtues of His Messenger (PBUH), invoking the
Praiseworthy Real Being, conducting lessons and remembrance [advice], and other similar
activities that are mandated and encouraged by the Shari„a, then this act is Islamically
required and recommended if the person held sincere intention to seek reward from Allah.

If what occur in them are permissible actions such as permissible sayings, eating and
drinking without the intention of being generous or seeking the Face of Allah Almighty, then
they are merely permissible acts (mubah). However, if what takes place is sinful such as
lying, backbiting and gossiping, free-mixing between men and women, abandoning of the
prayer, cursing or insulting other Muslims and other similar prohibitions, then it is haram and
must not be performed.

As for making supplication to any created being: if it involves calling upon them without
concomitant belief in the divinity of the one who is called upon nor belief in their ability to
independently command in the affairs without permission from Allah, then this type of
supplication is alluded to in Allah‟s saying, “Make not the calling of the Messenger
(Muhammad, PBUH) among you as your calling of one another”; this is permissible and
should not be criticised. However, if it [the supplication] involves a belief in the above-
mentioned things, then this is a known departure from the reality of the belief in Allah, the
One without partners.

Original article in Arabic by Habib Umar

http://www.alhabibomar.com/Fatwa.aspx?SectionID=5&RefID=156

Fatwa 2: Arabic | English

Source: Official Habib Umar Website

Question:

What is the meaning of the word madad, as in the saying of a person, “Madad O Messenger
of Allah” or “Madad O shaykh so-and-so”?

Answer:

May Allah grant you success, delight your soul and lead you to goodness. The meaning of the
word madad is "the act of providing anything that is physical or spiritual”, thus all things that
are given and provided to a person are considered madad, whether that supply is physical
such as money, weaponry and the like, or spiritual such as providing supplication and
providing a request through one‟s high standing with Allah, blessed and exalted is He. It is
said that a person has extended a madad of devoted supplication to us when he calls to The
Real Being, the Exalted Almighty, in our affairs and concerns. Also, madad can be in the
supply of care when a person recognises and cares for your affair, directs his supplication in
your matter to The Real Being, the Exalted Almighty, and doing what he can to help. What is
now widespread amongst the Muslims in seeking madad from the prophets, the pure ones
and the saints, refers to seeking their notability with Allah, blessed and exalted is He, when
directing a call for the sake of a person‟s needs and concerns.

Original article in Arabic by Habib Umar

http://www.alhabibomar.com/Fatwa.aspx?SectionID=5&RefID=128

Background Information

Asking for madad from anyone other than Allah, as mentioned in the question, is a kind of
calling upon (or making du‟aa‟ to) someone other than Allah, hence it is a kind
of shirk (associating partners with Allah (SWT)). That is because what is meant by madad is
giving help and support. So for example, a person who says, “Madad ya Sayyid ya Badawi,
madad ya Sayyidah Zaynab” etc is essentially saying: Help us and give us of your bounty,
and relieve us from hardship and ward off calamity from us.

Putting it in perspective

In a nutshell, the people who practice and teach asking Madad from other than Allah (like
Habib Umar) say that it is permissible to call (i.e. make Du'aa') upon deceased messengers,
awliyaa‟ and righteous people or call upon those who are alive to perform acts which they are
unable to perform, and ask them to fulfil their needs, or remove them from hardship. This act
has be deemed as major Shirk (associating partners with Allah) by the scholars of Islam (see
rulings of the scholars)

Dear brothers and sisters we have to understand that du'aa' (supplication) is an ibaadah (an
act of worship). The Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (PBUH)
said in an authentic hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2969, “Du'aa' is worship” . Moreover,
Allah (SWT) says:

And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who
disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.

Ghafir 40: Verse 60

Also, if we get back to basics and look into Surat Al-Faatiha which we read at least 17 times a
day, we recite;

You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and
everything).

Al-Faatiha 1: Verse 5

Ibaadah such as Du'aa' is to be performed only for the sake of Allah (SWT), so to do it for
other than Him is Shirk(associating partners with Allah). This is also because the dead are
neither able to help or support those who ask for their help, nor are they able to answer the
supplication of those who supplicate to them as the they have passed into the afterlife. So to
seek help from the dead and those who are absent in order to aid them, remove calamity,
ease hardship and such actions, these are all from the Shirk of Jahiliyyah (associating
partners with Allah (SWT), the way the people from the days of ignorance (such as Quraish)
used to do prior to Islam, which Islam came to eradicate.
And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for
if you did, then indeed you would be of the wrongdoers.

And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him;
and if He intends for you good, then there is no repeller of His bounty. He causes it
to reach whom He wills of His servants. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful

Yunus 10:Verse 106-107

So Allah tells us that those who are called upon other than Him (the Prophets and the
righteous) are unaware of the call of those who call upon them and will never respond to
their calls. Moreover, they will be their enemies on the day of judgement and will deny their
worship of them.

And Allah (SWT) says;

Do they associate with Him those who create nothing and they are [themselves]
 created? And the false deities are unable to [give] them help, nor can they help
themselves. And if you [believers] invite them to guidance, they will not follow you.
It is all the same for you whether you invite them or you are silent. Indeed, those
you [polytheists] call upon besides Allah are servants like you. So call upon them
and let them respond to you, if you should be truthful.

Al-A‟raaf 7:Verse 191-194

Habib Umar and others claim that they only use them as an intermediary when praying
directly to Allah, they don't believe that these intermediaries are gods. This argument
is actually against them as Allah (SWT) says in the holy Qur‟aan:

Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors
besides Him [say], "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in
position." Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they
differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

Az-Zumur 39: Verse 3

Allah (SWT) also says,

 He causes the night to enter the day, and He causes the day to enter the night and
has subjected the sun and the moon - each running [its course] for a specified
term. That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you
invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed.

If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they
would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your
association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters].

Fatir 35, Verse 13-14

We advise our brothers and sisters in Islam to seek the truth in this matter and not to be a
blind follower of anybody. The likes of Habib Umar are only human and can make errors,
even if he is a true descendant of Prophet Muahmmad (PBUH), may Allah (SWT) honour
them. So we sincerely ask Allah (SWT) to guide the Muslims to the straight path and protect
us from all forms of shirk.

The ruling of the scholars

<- Ruling of Istighatha and Madad by Sheikh Salih Al Fawzan [Arabic] [English]->

Source: The Rulings of Sheikh Salih Bin Fawzan Bin Abdullah Al Fawzan

Question:

What is the Islamic opinion on those who call upon the Messengers, Prophets or Awliya (the
righteous), such that when a calamity befalls them, they say: “O Rasul Allah, O Mahdi” or
something of that sort?

Answer:

Those who call upon the dead from among the Messengers, Awliya and righteous people or
call upon those who are alive to perform acts which they are unable to perform, and ask from
them to fulfil their needs, or remove them from hardship, then these people have committed
major shirk, as these acts cannot be asked from anyone except Allah (SWT). This is because
seeking help and supplication are forms of Ibadah (worship), and it is to be performed only
for the sake of Allah (SWT), so to do it for other than Him is Shirk (associating partners with
Allaah (SWT)). This is also because the dead are neither able to help or support those who
ask them for help nor are they able to answer the supplication of those who supplicate to
them as the dead have passed into the afterlife. So to seek help from the dead and those
who are absent, to aid them, remove calamity, to ease hardship and other such actions,
these are all from the Shirk of Jahiliyya (the days of ignorance, prior to Islam), which Islam
came to eradicate. Allah (SWT) says:

“And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits
them, and they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah” (Yunus: 18).

“...So worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion. Unquestionably, for Allah is
the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We only
worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah will
judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not
guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.”

What was mentioned by the questioner is major shirk, and he who partakes in it must repent
to Allah (SWT) with correct and sincere repentance, and to return to true guidance, and to
leave this shirk, which if he dies on, he will be damned to hellfire for eternity – we ask Allah
(SWT) to protect us. Allah (SWT) says:

“Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise,
and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers”. (Al-
Ma’idah: 72)

In addition, he who partakes in these acts will have all their good actions rendered as Allah
(SWT) says:

“And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should
associate [anything] with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you
would surely be among the losers. Rather, worship [only] Allah and be among the
grateful." (Az-zumar:65-66)

Shirk wipes out one‟s good actions and results in an everlasting abode in hellfire, except he
who repents, believes and performs good actions, Allah (SWT) will accept his repentance. So
he who falls into such matters as described above in the question should repent to Allah
(SWT) a correct and sincere repentance and to be sincere in his worship of Allah (SWT) in all
its forms and to rescue himself from the fire of Jahanam (hellfire) before death arrives. We
ask Allah (SWT) to protect us from evil.

Original article in Arabic by Sheikh Salih Bin Fawzan Bin Abdullah Al Fawzan

http://www.islamlight.net/index.php?option=com_ftawa&task=view&Itemid=0&c
atid=966&id=7542

<- Ruling of Madad by Sheikh Ibn Baz [Arabic] [English]->

Source: http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa

Question:

We hear some people saying “Madad Ya rasulallaah” (I call upon you Oh messenger of
Allaah), or “Madad yaa nabiyy” (I call upon you Oh prophet)? What is the ruling on this?

Answer:

This kind of talk is major shirk (associating partners with Allaah (SWT)) and it means asking
the Prophet (PBUH) for help. The scholars from the companions of the prophet (PBUH) as well
as their followers from the Sunni Scholars unanimously agree that asking the dead(prophets
and others) for help, the unseen (angels, Jinn, etc.), idols, stones, trees, stars or anything
similar to that is considered major shirk. The proof is in the words of Allah:

“And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah”. (Al
Jinn 18)

Allah says: “Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke
or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the
date-stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in
case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the
Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform
you (O Muhammad SAW) like Him Who is the AllKnower (of each and everything).”
Faatir verses 13&14.

Allah says: “And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilah (god),
of whom he has no proof, then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-
Kafirun (the disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans,
idolaters, etc.) will not be successful”. Al Muminoon verse 117.

The verses from the Quran concerning this issue are many. This act was practiced by the
disbelievers of Quraish and others. Allah (SWT) sent all of the prophets may the peace and
blessings of Allah be upon them and He (SWT) also sent down his books to prohibit and warn
against it.

As Allah (SWT) says: “And certainly We raised in every nation a messenger saying:
Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan.” (An-Nahl: 36)

Allah says: “Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent
by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me”. (Al-
Ambiyaa’: 25)

Allah says: “Alif Lam Ra (This is) a Book, whose verses are made decisive, then are
they made plain, from the Wise, All-aware”. “That ye should worship none but
Allah. (Say): "Verily I am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad
tidings”. (Huud: 1-2)

Allah says: “The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Power, full of
Wisdom”. “Verily it is We Who have revealed the Book to thee in Truth: so serve
Allah, offering Him sincere devotion”. “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.” (Az- Zumar: 1-3)

So Allah (glorified be He) explained in these verses that he has sent the Messengers and
books so that He can be worshiped alone without a partner in various types of worship such
as: supplication, asking for help, fear, hope, praying, fasting, sacrificing, fulfilling a promise
for Allaah (SWT) or anything that is considered an act of worship.

He also informed us about the disbelievers of Quarish and others who say to their Prophets
and other callers to the truth: “we do not worship them (meaning their awliyaa) only
to get us closer to Allah”. Meaning that they have worshiped them in order to bring them
closer to Allaah and intercede for them, not because they think that they create, provide or
control the universe. Allaah then called them liars and disbelievers in the following
verse: “Verily, Allaah will judge between them over what they were disputing in,
verily Allaah does not guide he who is a liar and a disbeliever”.

Allah (SWT) also showed in another verse from Surat Yuunus that they say that the gods that
they associate with Allaah intercede for them to Allaah: “And they worship other than
Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, "These are
our intercessors with Allah"” then Allaah replies to them by saying: Say, "Do you
inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on the earth?"
Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him” (Yuunus: 18).

Allah says in surat Adh-Dhariat that he only created Jinn and mankind to worship him alone.
Allah says: “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me”. (Adh-
Dhariat; 56).

So it is compulsory upon all Jinn and mankind to worship Allah alone with sincerity and to
beware of worshiping Prophets or anything else beside Him be it by asking for „madad‟
(supplication) or any other type of worship. This is done as an implementation to the
mentioned verses and adhering to the call of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other prophets;
that is to call people to the oneness of Allah and to direct all acts of worship to him alone, in
addition to forbidding them from Shirk (associating partners with Allaah (SWT)). This is the
fundamental belief of Islaam for which Allaah (SWT) sent his Messengers and books, and for
which humans and Jinn were created. For he who asks prophets or others for help, or asks
them for „madad‟ or worships them in any other way, has associated partners with Allaah
(swt) and has become of those whom Allaah says about them: “.... If they were to join other
gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them”. (Al Anam: 88).

And also: “And certainly, it has been revealed to you and to those before you: Surely
if you associate (with Allah), your work would certainly come to naught and you
would certainly be of the losers”. (Azumar: 65).

Allah says: “Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with
Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever
associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin”. (An-nisaa’: 48).

Allah says: “.... Lo! Whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden
paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers”. Al Maidah
verse 72.

The only person that is excused (from this ruling) for ignorance is the one that Islaam has
not reached him and did not receive the proof from the Quran and sunnah. His matter is with
Allah (SWT) who will test him on the Day of Judgment and if he obeys, he will be admitted
into Jannah and if he disobeys, he will be admitted in to the hell fire. This is also the case
with the children of the disbelievers whom die before the age of puberty. This is proven by
the hadith of the messenger of Allaah (PBUH) who said: “Allaah is most knowing of what
they used to do” (its authenticity is agreed aupon). The other opinion is that they (the
children of the disbelievers) are from the people of Paradise because they died on the Fitrah
which is the natural belief in Allah aza wa jal. It was authentically narrated that the Prophet
(PBUH) said: “Every child is born on a Fitrah” in another narration “is born on this
belief and his parents change him into a Jew, Christian or fire worshiper”. It was also
narrated that Prophet (PBUH) saw Prophet Ibrahim in Jannah and with him were the children
of the believers and the disbelievers. This is the most correct opinion in regards to the
children of the disbelievers.

Allah says: “..., nor do We chastise until We raise a messenger”. (Al–Israa: 15).

What is also exempted (from this ruling) is asking the living to do that which they can, this is
not considered as Shirk as per the words of Allah (SWT) about the story of Muusa (AS) with
the Coptic man: “…Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his
foe...” (Al Qassas: 15).

This is because every human is in need of the help of his brothers in matters in Islam such as
Jihad, etc. This is not „Shirk‟, on the contrary it is permissible, recommended or obligatory
depending on the Islamic proofs.

And Allah knows Best

Original article in Arabic by Sheikh Ibn Baaz

http://www.ibnbaz.org.sa/mat/229
<-Ruling on Islam QA [Arabic] [English]->

Seeking help from anyone other than Allaah is shirk

I often hear people saying “Madad ya Rasool-Allaah, Madad ya Sayyidina al-Husayn, madad
ya Sayyid yaa Badawi…” and I do not know the meaning of these words.

Praise be to Allaah.

It should be noted that Allaah has created the universe to worship Him and Him alone. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

Allaah sent the Messengers to call their people to worship Allaah alone (Tawheed) and to
forbid them to associate anything with Him (shirk). Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):

“And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We revealed to him
(saying): Laa ilaaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allaah)], so worship
Me (Alone and none else)”
[al-Anbiya‟ 21:25]

Shirk means directing worship to anyone other than Allaah, and du‟aa‟ comes under the
heading of worship which must be devoted to Allaah alone and not directed to anyone else.
Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Du‟aa‟ is worship.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2969; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Asking for madad from anyone other than Allaah, as mentioned in the question, is a kind of
calling upon (or making du‟aa‟ to) someone other than Allaah, hence it is a kind of shirk.

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa‟imah (2/193):

The words of some of those who sing nasheed, “Madad ya sayyidina al-Husayn (Help O our
master al-Husayn), madad ya Sayyidah Zaynab, madad ya Badawi ya Shaykh al-„Arab,
madad ya Rasool Allaah (O Messenger of Allaah), madad ya awliya‟ Allaah (O close friends –
or „saints‟ – of Allaah),” etc, is major shirk which puts the one who says it beyond the pale of
Islam (Allaah forbid), because it is calling upon the dead to give them good things, to help
them, to ward off danger or relieve them of harm. That is because what is meant by madad is
giving, help and support. So it as if the person who says, “Madad ya Sayyid ya Badawi,
madad ya Sayyidah Zaynab” etc is saying: Help us and give us of your bounty, and relieve us
of hardship and ward off calamity from us. This is major shirk. Allaah says, after explaining to
His slaves that He is in control of the universe and that it is subjugated to Him:

“Such is Allaah, your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon
instead of Him, own not even a Qitmeer (the thin membrane over the date stone).

If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear,
they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will
disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the
All-Knower (of everything)”
[Faatir 35:13-14 – interpretation of the meaning]

So He calls their prayers to others shirk.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And who is more astray than one who calls on (invokes) besides Allaah, such as will not
answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their calls
(invocations) to them?

And when mankind are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they (false deities) will
become their enemies and will deny their worshipping”

[al-Ahqaaf 46:6]

So Allaah tells us that those who are called upon other than Him, the Prophets and the
righteous, are unaware of the call of those who call upon them and will never respond to their
calls, and they will be their enemies and will deny their worship of them.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Do they attribute as partners to Allaah those who created nothing but they themselves are
created?

No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves.

And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call
them or you keep silent.

Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allaah are slaves like you. So call upon them and
let them answer you if you are truthful”

[al-A‟raaf 7:191-194]

“And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allaah, any other ilaah (god), of whom he has
no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely, Al-Kaafiroon (the disbelievers in
Allaah and in the Oneness of Allaah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful”

[al-Mu‟minoon 23:117]

So Allaah tells us that whoever calls upon anyone other than Allaah, among the dead etc.,
will never succeed because of his kufr and his calling upon someone other than Allaah.

Islam Q&A
The Evidence
The clear evidence that Habib Umar endorses the practice of sacrificing an animal for other
than Allah (SWT) can be found on his official website (www.alhabibomar.com) in his Fataawa
section.

Click here for the direct link:

http://www.alhabibomar.com/Fatwa.aspx?SectionID=5&RefID=119

English translation available here

Source: Official Habib Umar Website

Question:

As you know, slaughtering to other than Allah is regarded as a major shirk that expels the
person from the fold of Islam. So the question is do you regard slaughtering to other than
Allah permissible and you have an interpretation for that? I would like to ascertain this from
you.

Answer:

You ought to know that people offer the guest something when they are visited, so it is
usually said that we slaughtered for a certain guest or visitor. This is a common occurrence in
the community, so what have you to say about it? Do you consider it an act of slaughtering
to other than Allah? You ought to know that the implication of slaughtering to other than
Allah is like the implication of prostrating to other than Allah, may He be blessed and exalted:
it would be considered shirk if the slaughterer or the person who is prostrating believed that
the one who is offered the slaughtering or the prostration is another god alongside Allah
Almighty who is offered the sacrifice by name, worship and vicinity, in the same way
prostration is offered to seek nearness and with belief in the godhead (uloohiyyah) and
lordship (ruboobiyyah) of that being.

Slaughtering and prostrating to other than Allah may have a different meaning to this.
Sacrifice may be offered to present the rewards to a dead person or offered in honour of a
visitor. In this case, the sacrifice is not offered out of belief in godhead or lordship of that
person, rather it is offered in the name of Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, and is
intended to honour the visiting guest or present the rewards to the deceased. Similarly,
prostration to other than Allah is forbidden in our Shari„ah and is regarded as shirk if one
believed in the godhead of whom he is prostrating to. However, other than this form is not
considered shirk and was permissible for the previous nations and was even practiced by the
Prophets. In fact the Qur‟an is clear about Allah‟s order to the angels to prostrate to Adam,
and there is no doubt that Adam is not Allah, may He be blessed and exalted. It is well-
known that this prostration was not due to a belief in the divinity or lordship of Adam,
blessings and peace be upon him, rather it was a sign of glorification, respect and esteem
towards him which was sanctioned by the command of Allah, may He be blessed and exalted.

Allah Almighty said about Prophet Ya„qoob (Jacob) and his sons, “And he raised his parents
high” meaning Yoosuf (Joseph) raised his parents, “on the throne, and they fell down in
prostration, before him”. It is well-known that Ya„qoob, who is a noble, son of a noble and
grandson of a noble and is one of the Messengers of Allah, has prostrated to Yoosuf and “fell
down in prostration, before him” as Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, said. So would you
consider this an act of shirk on behalf of the Messengers and Prophets of Allah? Therefore,
you should verify your information and must examine the divine texts and reflect on those
Qur‟anic verses to know that categorically assuming that prostration to other than Allah is
major shirk is incorrect, let alone the assumption that slaughtering [to other than Allah
is shirk] when it is certainly a lesser form of worship than prostration. Hence, categorical
assertions are incorrect.

Know that anyone who slaughters in honour of a visiting guest is not regarded as one of
the mushrikeen(idolators) and this act of slaughter does not denote an act of shirk.
Accordingly, you should attain certainty so you can meet Allah with a sound heart, free from
insolence towards Allah‟s living or dead servants because Allah will question us, “for every act
of hearing, or of seeing, or of (feeling in) the heart will be inquired into (on the Day of
Reckoning)”. May Allah make us steadfast on his Path and dispel the evil passions and
ignorance from our souls. May Allah guide us to the way of the Messenger of Allah, peace and
blessings be upon him and his family and companions.

Original article in Arabic by Habib Umar

http://www.alhabibomar.com/Fatwa.aspx?SectionID=5&RefID=119

Background behind sacrificing an animal for other than Allah

Since sacrifice is an act of worship (ibaadah), then it must be dedicated sincerely to Allah and
Him alone. According to Habib Umar in one of his fataawa he explicitly tries to justify how we
can sacrifice to other than Allah (see link above). We will allow the words of Allah and the
sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to answer this conflict of thought. Allah, the
Exalted, says:

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority
among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger,
if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in
result.

An-Nisaa 4: Verse 59

Putting it into perspective

It is known from the proofs of the Qur'an and Sunnah that seeking nearness by slaughtering
to other than Allah, such as to pious people, Jinn, idols, or any other creatures is Shirk and is
a practice of the pre-Islamic era (Jaahiliyyah) and the pagans (idol worshipers). Allah, the
Exalted says,

Say (O Muhammad), "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my

dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been
commanded, and I am the first [among you] of the Muslims."

Al-Anaam 6: Verse 162-163

Allah, Glorious is He, clarifies in the above verse that sacrificing to other than Allah is Shirk,
just as performing the prayer to other than Him is also Shirk. Allah the exalted also says

Indeed, We have granted you, [O Mudammad], al-Kawthar (a river in Paradise). So

pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].

Al-Kawthar 108: Verse 1-2

In the above surah Allah, Glorious is He, instructed his prophet (peace and blessing of Allah
be upon him) to pray to His Lord, and sacrifice to Him, contrary to the people of Shirk, who
pray and slaughter to other than Allah. Allah, the Exalted also says

"And your Lord has decreed that you should worship none other than Allah."

Al-Isra 17: Verse 23

Imam Muslim and An-Nisaai narrated in a Sahih Hadith that the Messenger of
Allah (PBUH) said:

"Allah curses him who sacrifices to other than Allah."

 Collected by Muslim & An-Nisaai

The ruling of the scholars

<-Ruling on sacrificing an animal for other than Allah Ibn Baaz [Arabic][English]->

Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa

Question:

Seeking nearness to Allah by slaughtering sheep by the graves of pious people is customary
among my people. I objected to it, but they became more adamant. I said: "This is Shirk"
They said: "We do worship Allah in the best manner! What is wrong with visiting Allah's
Awliya and say in our supplication, "O Allah, we ask You by the right of the pious slave of
Yours, so-and-so. Cure us, or relieve us from such and such misfortune." I said to them:
"There is no room for intermediaries in our religion." They said: "Leave us alone." My
question is, What do you think is the best remedy for those people? What can I do to them?
And how do I combat this innovation?

Answer:

It is known from the proofs of the Qur'an and Sunnah that seeking nearness by slaughtering
to other than Allah, such as pious people, Jinn, idols, or any other creatures is Shirk and
practices of pre-Islamic era and the pagans. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Say, 'My Salah, and
offering, and my life, and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. He has no
partner. And so am I commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." [Al-An'am 6:162163]

Allah, Glorious is He, clarifies in this verse that sacrificing to other than Allah is Shirk, just as
performing the prayer to other than Him. Allah, the Exalted, says: "We have given you Al-
Kawthar. So, pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice." [Al-Kawthar 108: 1-2]

In this Surah Allah, Glorious is He, instructed his Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to pray
to His Lord, and sacrifice to Him, contrary to the people of Shirk, who pray and slaughter to
other than Allah. Allah, the Exalted says: "And your Lord has decreed that you should
worship none other than Allah." [Al-Isra 17:23]

He also says: "And they are commanded only to worship Allah, being sincere to Him." [Al-
Bayyinah 98: 5]

There are many verses that convey this meaning.

Since sacrifice is an act of worship, then it must be dedicated sincerely to Allah. Imam Muslim
narrated in his Sahih that Ali said that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
said: "Allah curses him who sacrifices to other than Allah." [Muslim no. 1978]

As for those who say: "I adjure Allah by the right of His beloved believers, or by the honor of
His beloved believers, or by the right of the Prophet, or by his honor." Such adjuration does
not constitute Shirk, but it is innovation, according to the assembly of people of knowledge,
and a means of Shirk, because the supplication is an act of worship, and the way it should be
made is not subject to opinion. There is no proof related to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-
sallam) denoting legality, or permissibility of adjuration by the right or the honor of any
human.
Hence, it is not permissible for the Muslims to innovate a type of Tawassul (adjuration) which
Allah, the Exalted, does not legitimize. Allah, the Exalted, says: "Or do they have partners
who legalize for them acts of worship which Allah does not permit." [Ash-Shura 42:21]

And the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "He who initiates something in this matter
of ours that is not from it, shall have it rejected." [Al-Bukhari no. 2697 and Muslim no. 1718]
His statement 'shall have it rejected,' means that it shall not be accepted by Allah from the
one who introduces it.

It is incumbent upon the Muslims to restrict themselves only to what Allah has legitimized,
and to beware of what people innovate.

As for the legitimate Tawassul, it is adjuring Allah by His Names and Attributes. It can be
effective by upholding the beliefs in His Oneness, doing good deeds, charitable donations and
by believing in Allah and His Messengers. It is Allah who grants success.

Original article in Arabic by Sheikh Ibn Baaz

http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/4191

<-Ruling on sacrificing an animal for other than Allah Ibn Uthaymeen [Arabic]
[English]->

Source: http://www.islamonline.net

Question:

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allaah have mercy on his soul) was asked about the
permissibility of slaughtering for other than the Sake of Allah (SWT), and whether it was
permissible to eat from this meat?

Answer:

He replied:

To slaughter for other than the sake of Allah (SWT) is major shirk, as slaughtering is an act
of worship, as Allah (SWT) commanded:

“So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]”. (Al-Kawthar: 2)

And:

“Say Oh Muhammad; that my prayer, rituals, living and dying are for Allah the Lord of the
worlds. He has no partner, with such I was ordered and I am the first to submit”

And he who slaughters for other than the sake of Allah (SWT), has committed Shirk which
takes you outside the fold of Islaam– we seek refuge in Allah (SWT) from that – whether he
slaughters for an angel, a Messenger, a Prophet, a Caliphate, a waliy, or a scholar. All of this
is Shirk, associating partners with Allah (SWT), which takes you outside the fold of Islaam. It
is incumbent on a person to fear Allah (SWT) and to have mercy on himself in such
predicaments, and not to allow himself to fall into what Allah (SWT) describes in the following
verse:

“Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his
refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers”. (Al-Ma‟idah: 72)

And as for eating from what was slaughtered in other than the name of Allah (SWT), it is
forbidden to consume, as is evidenced in the Quran in Surat Al Ma‟idah:

“Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been
dedicated to other than Allah” (Al-Ma‟idah:3)

So all these sacrifices which are made in other than the name of Allah (SWT) are from
amongst the forbidden and so one may not consume them.

Original article in Arabic by Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-Arabic-
Ask_Scholar/FatwaA/FatwaA&cid=1122528622384

We all know and understand the 5th pillar of Islam – Hajj. NOW, how about if we inform you
about an additional “Hajj” performed by Habib Umar and his dedicated followers? What‟s
known as the “The Thousand Year Journey”. A journey in which apparently the world‟s great
(Muslim) saints and sages gather in the south of Yemen every year….

Below is a link to an official video by Guidance Media - Whose founder is Ali Zain Al-Abidin
Al-Jifri also known as Habib Ali (see Official website) - We recommend you watch before
proceeding.

*We apologies in advance for the use of music as it is beyond our control

Comments

Introduction - The video starts off by saying,

“seeking purification and forgiveness they congregate at base of Hud canyon, where the
grave of Prophet Hud rests on the mountainside”

It‟s plain to see from the onset that this is NOT your normal visit to a grave yard. In fact, its
a specific ritual, which has a specific “Tarteeb” i.e. schedule of things to do.

Swimming in the river - not your average swim!

The brother in the video (Abdul Malik Klockemann) says,

“The tradition has been there for at least 1000 years. Shuyuskh [plural of sheikh] visiting this
location and doing the tarteeb that we did, swimming in the river, making the intention for
ghusul [the Islamic ritual bath] having sins removed every time you make this ghusul, every
time you dip your head under making this intention”.
Truly brothers and sisters, have you heard of this act of worship in Islam?! To go and swim in
a specific river in the south of Yemen, next to the grave of Prophet Hud (PBUH), which results
in the forgiveness of sins? Not only that, but every time you dip your head in more and more
sins are forgiven! Indeed, this is a great reward BUT the question remains…. who came up
with this? Apparently it‟s been happening for thousands of years. This may be the case, but
we sincerely ask the Muslims who believe and practice this, where is the proof from the
Qur‟an or from the words of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or in the actions of the rightly
guided khaliphs? Or the sahabah? Or from the blessed three generations that followed the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said,

Verily he among you who lives [long] will see great controversy, so you must keep
to my sunnah and to the sunnah of the rightly-guided Khalifahs – hold on to it
tightly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every invented matter is an
innovation and every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in Hell-
fire."

Found in An-Nawawi‟s Forty Hadith, collected by Abu Dawud & Al-Tirmidhi, who classed it as
authentic

Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) said,

"The best of my nation is my generation then those who follow them and then those
who follow them"

Collected by Bukhari and Muslim

Shafi narrated that the Prophet Muahmmad (PBUH) said,

“I have not left any good that will get you closer to Allah and distance you from the
hell fire except I have told you about”.

And finally Allah says,

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you
and have approved for you Islam as religion.

Al-Ma'idah 5: Verse 3

Have they found a good ritual which the prophet (PBUH) didn‟t alert us too? Indeed this is a
great and severe innovation in our pure religion!

When we look into the Qur‟an, we can see the formula for purifying the soul and attaining
forgiveness, and it does not mentioned visiting the grave of prophet Hud (PBUH). Rather
Allah (SWT) instructs us by saying,
 And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah .
And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and
asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they
would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

An-Nisaa 4:Verse 64

Dear brothers and sisters, I‟m sure you will agree on the fundamental point that we are all
trying to achieve Allah's love. So if this is all our common aim we should work in the manner
which Allah (SWT) has taught us to achieve this, Allah says,

Say, [O Muhammad to mankind], "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, [so]
Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

Aali-Imran 3:Verse 31

Is this action of visiting the grave of Prophet Hud (PBUH) every year on a specific date
annually, doing a settarteeb over 3 days, swimming in the river to get your sins forgiven all
part of following the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?!

Appearance of the group leader - None other than Habib Umar

As we progress through the video we find the appearance of Habib Umar, not just as a
passerby but in fact theleader of this group, the leader of this journey, leading them to the
grave. Abdul Malik Klockemann then mentions that there is a specific book which has the
specific du'aa' to be recited when entering the grave of Prophet Hud (PBUH) - “A case in point
– if you have a look at the du'aa' sections of the most comprehensive and authentic
collections of ahaadeeth such as Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi etc, you again will not find
anything regarding this ritual!

General issues

Some general ahaadeeth (narrations) regarding graves and worship;

Ibn Mas„oud reported that the Prophet (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “The
most evil of mankind are those who will be alive when the Last Day arrives and
those who take graves as places of worship.”

(Collected by Ahmed)

Jundub ibn „Abdillah reported that five days before the Prophet‟s death he heard him
say, “Those before you took the graves as places of their prophets as places of
worship. Do not take graves as places of worship for verily I forbid you to do so."

(Collected by Muslim

Watch Habib Umar and his follows at the grave of Prophet Hud (PBUH)

This is a general video (2 minutes only) showing the nature of Habib Umar and his
followers *A MUST*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfEL8J2n_M

Below are some photos of Habib Umar - we will not comment as they speak for themselves -
Click to enlarge
Ali Zain Al-Abideen al-Jifri (aka Habib Ali) is well known around the world. He is the founder
and general director of Tabah Foundation and more importantly for our discussion he is
the deputy dean of Dar Al-Mustafa for Islamic studies (Adapted from Habib Ali Al-Jifri's
official website).This point is crucial as the founder of Dar Al-Mustapha is none other than
Habib Umar! Al-Jifri also currently serves as a lecturer at Dar Al Mustafa, and is currently
seen as the “right hand man” of Habib Umar. The deviance of this sheikh has been exposed
in an astonishing trailer video by Sheikh Hasan Qari Al Husayniy.
*Note video is in Arabic

For our English viewers we have summarised the video in point form:

- Allah clearly states in the Quran that he only created Jinn and mankind to worship him
alone >> BUT Al-Jifri believes that Allah created Adam (PBUH) for Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH)

- Allah clearly states in the Quran that you should ask Allah alone “And if my slave ask you
about me than I am near to answer their dua” >> While Al-Jifri prefers to ask the Prophet
(PBUH) in his dua (Eg. Ya Rasul)

- Allah says: “only Allah knows that the unseen in the heavens and earth >> Al-Jifri believes
that there is type of people that Allah chooses who know the unseen

- Allah says: “When Allah desires anything he says to it be” >> Al-Jifri believes that awliyaa
have this power

- Allah says: “that no soul knows in which land it will die” >> Al-Jifri believes that the "poor"
Sufis have this knowledge

- Al-Jifri claims that there is authentic ahadeeth in Saheeh Muslim that say that the
companions wanted to bury the Prophet in his Masjid. However Al bukahri said that
this hadeeth was narrated by a man who was well know for fabricating ahadeeth

- Al-Jifri quotes un-authentic ahadeeth that Allah created Adam (PBUH) for Muhammad
(PBUH) >> Ibn Hajar (a great scholar) said it is fabricated. Al-Jifri quotes
certain ahadeeth as authentic when in fact they are weak and others hadeeth which do not
exist in the first place, i.e. fabricated.
Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama‟ah Association of Australia has compiled this page as a means to
warn the Muslim community of Australia first and foremost, regarding the truth behind Habib
Umar and his upcoming tour. However, this page also serves as a reference for all other
countries which promote Habib Umar and his tours such as Germany, France, Spain,
Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Indonesia and any other country. As a community there is a
need to pose the question to those in charge of spreading the word about these tours, do you
really know who you are advertising for? Brothers and sisters in Islam by accepting this man
in our Masjid or the acceptance of this man‟s tour posters on our notice board is a clear
indication that we accept this man and his deviant teachings. Hence will be asked about this
support on the Day of Judgment.

The reason why our Ummah is considered to be the best of nations is due to the fact that it
commands good and forbids evil, as Allah (SWT) says

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is
right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah

Aali-Imran 3:Verse 110

From the above Ayah, we can deduce that there is no good in this nation if it does not take
upon this honorable role. In fact, Allah (SWT) warns against those who choose not to
in surat-ul-maa‟idah:
 Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of
David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and
[habitually] transgressed. They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing
that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing.

Al-Maa'idah 5 :Verse 78-79

It is the responsibility of the whole Ummah to speak up, not just the mashaykhs. It is
therefore incumbent upon each and every one of us to spread the truth about this man to as
much people as possible.

Finally, we ask Allah, the Exalted to accept this from us as a deed that is for His sake only.
We also ask Allah (SWT) to clear our hearts from any shirk and misguidance. We ask Allah
the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by
that which we learn and increase us in knowledge. And we end our dua‟ by
saying alhamdulillaah and may Allah grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad
and his family and companions.

After the launch of the "Truth about Habib Umar Website" there was a need to clarify some
very important issues by the mashaykhs of Sydney. These clarifications and advices are
found below. To download (right click and select “save target as” or “save link as”)

Listen in
Sheikh Zuhair Issa, Imam of Al-Azhar Masjid, Belmore with some
Arabic
kind words of advice to Sheikh Fida Al-Majzoub after certain
Listen in
comments were made on the Voice of Islam (87.6FM) radio station
English
Listen in
Amir of ASWJ in NSW Sheikh Khaled Issa talks about the issue of
Arabic
causing fitna in the community vs. commanding good and
Listen in
forbidding the evil
English
Listen in
Sheikh Abdussalam Zoud summaries the events of the last week
Arabic
within the Muslim community in Sydney in his Friday (Jumu'ah)
Full
Khutbah
Khutbah
Listen in
Sheikh Zuhair Issa, Imam of Al-Azhar Masjid, Belmore - Words of
Arabic
advice regarding the confusion of the intention behind certain
Listen in
deeds
English

Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah Association of Australia

Last Updated: April 2010