Q:
1. We have a Shaikh in our area who, when he enters or leaves the Masjid, the Mureeds stand up for him presumably out of respect. Those that are not mureeds feel uncomfortable because they feel obliged to also stand up when Hadhrat walks in. Is this standing up when Hadhrat comes in and, in particular, when he leaves, substantiated in Shariah?
2. A mureed of this Shaykh mentioned that Hadhrat knows what we are talking about because he is divinely informed. Is this a valid statement?
3. A lay person accidentally sat in Hadhrat's chair. He was told to get off it by a mureed because it is Hadhrat's chair. Was it correct of the mureed to
do this?
A: 1. It is permissible to stand out of respect, provided the person that you are standing up for does not request or desire the same and there is no fear of ostentation or show.
2. This is a corrupt belief. The knower of the secrets of the hearts is Allah Ta`ala alone.
3. If it is a chair belonging to the musjid then everybody has the right to sit on the chair.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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