Answer
Short Answer: There is nothing in Islam which suggests that living people can “summon” the souls of the dead. In fact, all the references which we have to souls coming to the world after having left it, are in the form of dreams. None of these accounts are Sahih. Dreams can be of three types: true, based on reality; untrue, the devil’s handiwork; or a mixture of both. To say you fall ill because you are ignorant to shaheed of Badr and disprove their facts is not correct. The whole understanding of falling ill in Islam appears to be completely misunderstood. Falling ill is considered partial expiation for one’s sins.
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Thank you for this question. Some people do hold this approach so let us look into it. You say, “They tell me that They are asking to Allah that help them with so and so, “with the barakah of Shaheed of badr”. In Islam actions are according to intentions, so the intention should be correct.
All Muslims believe Allah is sufficient unto Himself, He doesn’t need anyone’s “barakah”. However, it is permissible to refer to an event in this world as an example of Allah’s Might and Power. It doesn’t add anything to what Allah can do. It is after all, only one reference when there are innumerable instances
Further, as you point out, some people don’t mention Allah and, of course, this is not acceptable in Islam. It would be preferable to concentrate on Allah and ALWAYS to mention Him, anything else is really unnecessary and may lead to shirk.
Allah tells us in the Quran:
“And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, Indeed I am near, I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they might be rightly guided.” [Qur’an 2:186]
Here, Allah is saying to call on Him direct. In many places in the Qur’an, in response to a request, Muhammad pbuh is told: “Say! (O Muhammad) …….” Yet, in contrast, here there is no instruction to the Prophet pbuh, only “I am near.” Could there be a better or more direct invitation to approach Allah?
In every rakaat of every prayer we say, iyyaka na’abudu wa iyyaka nasta’in meaning: only You we worship, and only You we ask for help…” Here we are actually calling on Allah Alone. This has to be understood and it has to be said sincerely from the heart.
You see, in the limit, Allah has given people the abilities that they have. No matter how you look at it, whatever a person does is because Allah gave them the ability to do it. So, under all circumstances the recognition and thanks are due to Allah.
Some people seem to believe that Allah has bestowed special favours on others and these people are then given an intermediary state to Allah. This is how the Makkans, at the time of the Prophet pbuh, viewed the Angels and idols. The Arab idolaters would say,
“We do not worship them except to draw us nearer to Allah.” (Quran, 38:3)
They considered them as independent agents after divine bestowal, and they would say that everything they had was given to them by Allah. In many places the Qur’an refutes this, For example, Allah says,
“Beside Allah, they worship those who can neither harm nor benefit them.” (Qur’an, 10:18), again,
“Those whom you worship beside Allah do not have power to give you provision. So seek provision with Allah and worship Him.” (29:17)…
Allah says in the Quran,
“Say, (O Muhammad), I only invoke my Lord and do not associate anyone with Him.
Say, indeed I do not possess for you the power of harm or right direction.” [72:20 – 21]
Similarly:
“Say, I hold not for myself (the power of) benefit or harm except what Allah has willed. ….” [7:188].
Here, even the Prophet pbuh, the best of Allah’s creation, and who was present at the Battle of Badr is saying he has no power. Can there be any reason to consider others?
Unfortunately, cultural values have come into the practice of Islam in some areas and, with respect; these seem to follow the pattern “We found our forefathers doing it…” The Quran admonishes such action and asks believers to use reason and seek guidance..
But when they are told, “Follow what God has bestowed from on high,” some answer, “Nay, we shall follow [only] that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing.” Why, even if their forefathers did not use their reason at all, and were devoid of all guidance? – [2:170]
To pray to other than Allah is the biggest sin a Muslim can do. It is shirk – the one sin Allah will not forgive.
There is nothing in Islam which suggests that living people can “summon” the souls of the dead. In fact, all the references which we have to souls coming to the world after having left it, are in the form of dreams. None of these accounts are Sahih. Dreams can be of three types: true, based on reality; untrue, the devil’s handiwork; or a mixture of both. There is no way of knowing, as even those based on reality may not be a true dream. We are told if we see Prophet Muhammad pbuh in a dream it is a true dream as the devil cannot impersonate him; and the dreams of prophets are true. That is all we know.
It is worth noting that with no evidence to the contrary, a hasan hadith may be accepted. However, when there is evidence from the Quran and from other ahadith the hasan hadith cannot stand against that evidence.
To say you fall ill because you are ignorant to shaheed of Badr and disprove their facts is not correct. The whole understanding of falling ill in Islam appears to be completely misunderstood. Falling ill is considered partial expiation for one’s sins.
I visited Allah’s Apostle while he was suffering from a high fever. I touched him with my hand and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! You have a high fever.” Allah’s Apostle said, “Yes, I have as much fever as two men of you have.” I said, “Is it because you will get a double reward?” Allah’s Apostle said, “Yes, no Muslim is afflicted with harm because of sickness or some other inconvenience, but that Allah will remove his sins for him as a tree sheds its leaves.” [Bukhari]
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri r.a. reported that the Prophet said:
Whenever a Muslim is afflicted with a hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression –even a thorn’s prick, Allah expiates his sins because of it. [Bukhari and Muslim]
“Expect good, because Allah (s.w.t.) makes a believer’s sickness expiation (for his sins) and a period of repose. As for a disbeliever falling sick, he is like a camel whose owner ties it and then lets it loose –it does not understand why it was tied, or why it was freed.” [Recorded by Bukhari in al-Adab ul-Mufrad]
In summary, based on the Islamic concept of illness and sin, the whole thinking of the people you mention does not concur with Islam. They obviously mean well, but appear to be seriously misguided. May Allah show them the truth of Islam and fill their hearts with love for Him, Prophet Muhammad and for Islam, Amin.
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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