Dars e Imam-Sajdah Animals

“Bismillahir Rahmannir Raheem””Al-Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen was Salaatu was- Salaamu ‘Alaa Sayidinaa Muhammadin wa Aalihi wa Asabihi Ajma ‘een (tauheed- risalat- ahkirat and islam-iman-ihsan)

Animals and trees Prostrating to Prophet

There are many ahadith which prove that Trees, animals etc used to prostrate infront of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ this was miracle of Prophet ﷺ and he never said that these things were shirk, however he did forbid the Sahaba R.A from prostrating to him which proves prohibitivness of it but “NOT SHIRK” and he has nowhere called this “Amr (matter)” as shirk in any hadith.

We were travelling with the Prophet ﷺ when suddenly a camel came near“and prostrated to the Prophet ﷺ” The Prophet ﷺ asked: Who is the owner of this camel? At this some youngsters from Ansaar said that it belongs to them. The Prophet asked them: What have you done with it? They replied: We have been putting load (of water) on it since the past 20 years, now when he has become old and gathered excessive mass on itself so we made up our minds to slaughter him and distribute the meat amongst our friends. The Prophet ﷺ asked: Would you sell it to me? They replied: Ah! It is yours O dear Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet said, keep it but take good care of it until natural death reaches it.The Sahaba asked: O Prophet ﷺ we are more deserving of prostrating to you than the animals. The Prophet ﷺ replied: It is not allowed for anyone, “IF IT WAS ALLOWED I WOULD HAVE ASKED WOMEN TO PROSTRATE TO THEIR HUSBANDS” [Sunnan Darimi, Volume No. 1, Page No. 10, Sahih Ibn Hibban (4/335), Imam al-Mundhri narrated another variant of camel prostrating to Prophet and he declared the chain as “Jayyid (strong) having famous thiqa narrators” (3/35)]

Again two points are to be noted from this hadith:
(1) The Animals prostrated to the Prophet ﷺ and he did not deem it wrong
(2) Sahaba asked to prostrate to Prophet ﷺ but the Prophet ﷺ did not say that It is shirk rather told not to do so. He said that If this was allowed then wives should have prostrated to husbands (i.e. the issue is not so severe provided it is done with intention of Ibadah)

Now Muslims and many blessed Awliya Ikraam do visit the shrine of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and this has been practice of eminent scholars, The Prophet ﷺ has explicitly told to visit the graves himself and Sahaba R.A took the grave of Prophet ﷺ as a blessed place not an idol as some people falsely assert.

Dawud ibn Salih said: “[The governor of Madina] Marwan one day saw a man placing his face on top of the grave of the Prophet. He said: “Do you know what you are doing?” When he came near him, he realized it was Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. The latter said: “Yes; I came to the Prophet, not to a stone.” [Musnad Ahmed Bin Hanbal 5:466, Imam Hakim in his Al-Mustadrak 4:520, Hadith # 8571, Where he declared the chain as “SAHIH” and Imam Dahahbi also called the Hadith as Sahih]

Now this proves from the amal of Sahaba R.A that they did not considere the grave of Prophet (Peace be upon him) as a mere-stone as some people say that Prophet is dead and blessings cannot be taken from his Dhaat anymore (Naudhobillah). Some people dispute over this hadith due to their pseudo knowledge, please note that both Imam Hakim and Imam Dhahabi (latter was very strict in authenticating ahadith) have agreed upon soundness of this report. Had there been a hint of Shirk in touching or putting the head on grave of Prophets/Saliheen then Imam Hakim and Imam Dhahabi would have mentioned so, secondly there is a huge difference between sajda and kissing. On the contrary Imam Dhahabi (rah) who was student of Ibn Taymiyyah has proudly proven the lovers of Prophet((saws)) as right and those who accuse these things as Shirk to be “KHAWARJI’TES”

He states in his famous Siyaar A’lam al Nubala: Abdullah Ibn Ahmed (rah) narrates: “I saw my father (Imam Ahmed) take the hair of Prophet ﷺ put it on his mouth, and kiss it. I believe I saw him put it on his eyes. He also dipped it in water and drank the water to “OBTAIN SHAFA”. I saw him take the Prophet’s bowl (qas’a), wash it in water, and drink from it. I saw him drink Zamzam water in order to seek cure with it, and he wiped his hands and face with it.” I now ask: ”WHERE IS THE MUNKAR OF IMAM AHMED NOW? (i.e. Munkareen would be jeleous to know about such things which Imam Ahmed did) It is also authentically established that ‘AbdUllah (rah) asked his father about those who touch the pommel of the Prophet’s ﷺ pulpit and touch the wall of the Prophet’s saws room (in order to obtain barakah), and he said:

“”I DO NOT SEE ANY HARM IN IT” May Allah protect us and you from the “OPINION OF THE KHAWARIJ” and from innovations! [Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam al-Nubala’ (9:457)]

Subhan Allah look how boldly does son of Imam Ahmed asks: Where are the Munkareen of Imam Ahmed now!!! This proves that taking Tabbaruk from the graves of Prophets and righteous was practice of great scholars of Islam.Things do not just stop here, Imam Dhahabi (rah) clarifies another important usool i.e. ruling regarding “PROSTRATION” to grave of Prophet ﷺ

The prostration done to Yusuf (a.s) by his brothers (and family) was “NOT PROSTRATION OF WORSHIP” (Therefore) the adaab of a Muslim to the grave of the Prophet is for the intention of respect (Tazeem) and reverence. “One is “NOT” doing Kufr because of it whatsoever (la yukaffaru aslan)” but he is being disobedient [to the Prophet’s injunction to the Companions]. Let him therefore be informed that this is forbidden. Similarly in the case of one who offers Salaat towards the grave.” [Imam Dhahabi in Mu`jam al-Shuyukh, Volume No.1, Page No. 45]

This proves that to call Sajdah as Shirk straight away is ignorance and against the teachings of Qur’an and Sunnah. Accusation of Shirk and Bidah is a very serious matter, If the accusation is incorrect then the person making it will become more deserving of the Kufr!

Deen =islam (pillar/arkan) +iman(aqiad) +ihsan(perfection/benevolence)

Islam =amal e qaal/physical presence (applying)

Iman= tongue (proclaimation) + heart(verification)

Ihsan =amal e haal/state of heart (witnessing)

When I want to talk to allah I say prayers and when I want that he talk to me I recite quran- Hazrath Ali(ra)

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