Q: I would like to know if it allowed to go for Shifaa in Cape Town from a sheikh that is living in Mauritius? My sister belongs to a Jaama that makes thikr and gives food. This sheikh gives shifaa and they wear a green cloth over them while thikr is being performed.She puts pictures of this sheikh on her blackberry and he have very long hair.The sheikh said that angels are in your hair if it is long so she grew her hair and says that should she have a son she will grow his hair long also.
They have been "called" to Mauritius to visit the sheikh and they go but they do not want to go to Makkah and perform their Hajj now. They receive colors of clothes for the higher there spirituality goes. They say everyone should join and ask for anything and the sheikh will ask Allah. We as muslims can ask Allah directly so should we need to go through a sheikh in Mauritius? I believe that thikr is part of the quraan and you are making Allah higher but is this all allowed in Islam to almost like worship this sheikh?
A: Shifa lies in the hands of Allah Ta'ala. No person or creation is in control of shifa. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'aan regarding the dua of Hazrat Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam):
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ ﴿الشعراء: ٨٠﴾
"When I fall ill, only He gives me shifaa"
Believing that a certain person will be able to give shifa is Haraam. Similarly, believing that the acceptance of one's duas is subject to the intercession or supplication of a certain person is an act bordering on shirk. Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'aan:
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ ﴿غافر: ٦٠﴾
"Call unto Me and I will answer your call".
Pictures of animate objects have been declared haraam in Islam. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
إن أشد الناس عذابا عند الله يوم القيامة المصورون (صحيح البخاري 2/880 ، صحيح لمسلم 2/201)
Those involved in picture-making will be subjected to the worst forms of punishment on the day of Qiyaamat. (Bukhari 2/880, Muslim 2/201)
Making zikr in the explained manner with different colours of clothing has not been established in the Sunnah. Considering this form of zikr as part of deen is bid'ah (innovation). Hence, one should refrain from these types of gatherings and practises. Delaying one's fardh hajj without a valid reason is totally impermissible in Islam.
And Allah Ta'ala knows best.
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها ، قالت : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد (مشكاة المصابيح ص27)
وعن علي رضي الله عنه قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " من ملك زادا وراحلة تبلغه إلى بيت الله ولم يحج فلا عليه أن يموت يهوديا أو نصرانيا وذلك أن الله تبارك وتعالى يقول : ( ولله على الناس حج البيت من استطاع إليه سبيلا ) رواه الترمذي
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