Calling upon the Dead [Prophets & the Righteous]

For members of the Khawaarij Wahhabi Cult to be convinced that what I am speaking to them is the tradtional standpoint and the truth of the Ahl us-Sunnah wal Jamaaah, I am going have to proof that

1. The Prophets and Awliyah Allah are alive in their graves 2. They have been given the ability to see and hear from near or afar 3. They can answer with speech 4. They can even help by Allahs permission 5. The Prophets can even appear manifest in the flesh to help 6. Calling upon them is not worship 7. The Sahaabah called upon the Prophet 8. Many great scholars deemed it to be permissable 9. The Prophet can hear from afar 10. How the Khawaarij have takfeered Sahaabah, great scholars and the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaaah

In this format it shall be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that calling upon the dead is not shirk and from the very beginning has been the practice of the Salaf, and all the generations of Muslims to come after them. After witnessing the following evidences,

I urge all the sincere from amongst the Wahhabi Khawaarij to leave this cult. We have brother Abu Jafar al-Hanbali, a qualified outreach specialist to help those who wish to leave the Wahhabi Khawaarij movement, as indeed it is not an easy task. The Prophets are alive in their graves

Often, when presented with the belief that the Prophets are alive in their graves, the most common objection is no. The Prophet is DEAD, Allah says in the Quran Every soul shall taste death [Qur'an 3:185]and Abu Bakr said -Whosoever worships Muhmmad, know that he is dead! -

Although these evidences serve to be true within their true context and meaning, the objectors always seem to misunderstand or even deliberately misinterpret the position of the Ahl us-Sunnah walJamaaah and what we truly believe regarding the passing of the Messenger of Allah. By using such argument, the objector is building what is known as a straw-man argument, which is to build an argument and then attribute it to us, and then proceed to refute that argument thereby claiming victory.

It is crucial to clarify at this point, that, we believe that our Prophet did indeed taste death. We believe that he passed away from this physical world. We believe the ayah of Allah Every soul shall taste death and we believe in the statement of the first Khalifah of Islam, Abu Bakr.

However this does not mean that we believe that the Prophet is in a complete state of aniliation, for there is an abundance of evidences

that clearly demonstrate that the Prophets are alive in their graves, and even the Awliyah of Allah. We shall document these evidences.

However before we do so, I would like to quote directly from Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhabs very own son Abdullah ibn Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab, from a letter he wrote after he and his military expedition took the sacred masjid by force and overthrew the valid Muslim authority in 1218. He says in this document:

And what we believe is that the status of our Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa-sallam) is absolutely the highest status of the creations, and that he is alive in his grave with the life of the barzakh, higher than the life of the shuhadaa that has been mentioned in the Revelation, because he is better than them without doubt. And that he hears the Muslims sending greetings (salaam) on him, and that it is sunnah to visit him, however it is not allowed to set out on a journey except to visit the masjid and pray in it, and if he intends along with that to visit the grave of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa-sallam), then there is no objection.And whoever spends his most precious time in sending the prayers (salaah) on him (alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) according to the manner narrated from him, then he has succeeded in attaining the bliss of both worlds, and it will suffice him from his worries and stress, as it is mentioned in the hadeeth from him.

[Tooken from Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah fee al-Ajwibah an-Najdiyyah [wrongly mistranslated as The Wahaabies Misconceptions Removed by Abdullaah ibn Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab]

After reading this passage, there is a great wonder why the Wahhabi argument that the Prophet sal allahu alayhi wasallam is dead and

cannot hear even exists, and just demonstrates the ignorance of Wahhabis for they do not even know the creed of their own leaders. However, as the argument still exists let us now look at the evidences.

Do not say they are dead

And do not say that those who are killed in the way of Allah that they are dead [Surat ul-Baqarah 154]

Allah most High says in the Quran,

those who have been slain in the way of Allah never think of them as dead; but they are alive with their Lord, get their subsistence [Surah Al-Imran verse 169]

The tafaseer for these two ayahs show us that the souls of the martyrs are placed within birds that are in the Jannah, and they can fly through it freely [see Ibn Katheer, Jalalayn, Tabari] This is the status of the martyrs. However, it is known that the status of the Prophets is much higher in rank than that of the martyrs, plus given the fact that every Prophet dies with the reward of the martyr for their mission. What is there not to say that the Prophets souls can fly wherever they want in the Jannah and this world and even appear manifest in the flesh?

Indeed this has happened and has been recorded in the Ahaadeeth and the Tareekh of Islam with authentic narrators. Indeed the great

majority of the scholars of the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaaah from the Sahaabah and the Salaf and those that came thereafter believe in such, and such shall be proven a little further in this discourse when we discuss the Prophets having the ability to manifest in the flesh. [of course by the will and permission of Allah].

Imaam Shawkawni also confirms the rank of the Prophets being higher than that of the martyrs in his following statement: It is mentioned in the Quran that martyrs are alive and they are provided with food; The Prophets and Righteous people are a lot higher in status than them so what will be their place? It has been proven through Ahadeeth that Prophets are alive in their graves. Both Imam Tirmizi and Imam Bayhaqi have said that this is an authentic Ahadith.[Nayl al-Awtar vol 3 page 82 by Qadi Shawkani] Thus their life in the grave is much greater and superior to this life

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (Allah have mercy on him) states in his monumental commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari i.e. Fath al-Bari: When the living of the martyrs is proven from the text of the Quran, then this is also proven from a analogical point of view. And the Prophets are superior then the martyrs [Fath al-Bari, Volume 006: Page No. 379]

Qadhi Shawkawni writes: In the Quran it is mentioned that martyrs are alive and food is provided for them. The Prophets and righteous people are a lot higher in status than them so what will be their place? It has been proven through Ahadith that Prophets are alive in their graves. Both Imam at-Tirmidhi and Imam al-Bayhaqi have said that these are authentic Ahadith [Nayl al-Awtar, Volume 003, Page No. 82]

The Life in the Barzakh is Superior to this Life

Life in the grave [the Barzakh] is a reality where one is either punished or lives a life of bliss. On Yawm ul-Qiyaamah, the day of resserection, Allah will resserect every soul with their body for the great judgement in which the wretched will merit the fire, and the blessed who Allah has betowed His Grace and Mercy shall merit the paradise.

Surah Ali Imran 169The hereafter is better than the former life [it is superior] Surat ul-alaa passages 18-19

The Prophets Bodies Do Not Decompose

Hafidhh ibn al Qayyim writes that the Prophet of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:Send salutations on me, but send more salutations on Friday. When you recite the salutation, your voice will reach me wherever you are. Some companions asked, even after your death? The Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, Allah has made it unlawful for the earth to decompose my body.[Hafidhh Ibn-al-Qayyim, Jala-ul-Afhaan page 145] Our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), has said that on Fridays send as much Blessings as you can on me. If when-one sends Blessings to me, where-ever he may be his voice will reach me. The Companions said even after your death, our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), replied affirmative. This is because Allah most High, has made the bodies of the Prophets haram (forbidden) for the earth to eat. [Jala ul Afham page 63 by Hafidhh Ibn Qayyim]

Qadi Shawkawni writes: Scholars agree that our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), is alive in his grave and the earth does

not eat the bodies of the Prophets. [Nayl al-Awtar chapter Hajj by Qadi Shawkani]

The Prophets soul is returned to his body

The Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said: No-one greets me except that Allah has retuned my soul to me so that I may greet him back Riyaadas Saleeheen; al-Adhkaar; Fath ul-Baari, Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, hadeeth is narrated from Abu Hurayrah; al-Haythami, Majmua az-Zawaaid

The Prophets are alive in their graves praying

The Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said: al-Anbiyaa ahyaaun fi quburihim yussalun, i.e. the Prophets are alive in their graves and they are praying Musnad of Imaam Ahmad; Saheeh Muslim; Sunan an-Nisaai; Musnad of Abu Yala 6:147; al-Haythami, Majmua az-Zawaaid 8:211; al-Bayhaqi, Hayat ul-Anbiyaa; Fath ulBaari: 6:487 Saheeh hadeeth no. 2790 [musnad]

Our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), said: On the night of Miraj when I passed Prophet Musas (Alay hissalaam) grave. He was standing in his grave and offering Salaah. [Muslim chapter Fadhail Musa]

The Prophet is a Witness to your Deeds

But how (will it be with them) when We bring of every people a witness, and We bring thee (O Muhammad) a witness against these ? 4:41Imam Qurtubi writes: the actions of the Umma are presented to the Prophet not every day but every Friday [Tafsir Qurtubi, Sura anNisa, under verse 41]

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali also says on this subject:Deeds of the humans are presented in front of our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). That is why a person should be ashamed of themselves from doing bad deeds [Ibn Rajab, Lataef-ul-Mahrif, page 91]

Ibn Kathir writes that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated: My life is better for you; you narrate ahadith and ahadith are narrated for you. When I pass away it will continue to benefit you because your actions will be presented before me.If I see a good deed I shall praise Allah Most High. If I see a bad deed of yours I shall ask Allah Most High to forgive you[Majmu' az-Zwa'id, vol.9, page24; Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir, Death of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)]

Imaam Shawkaani writes: Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) knows the actions of his Umma. When he sees them doing something good, he is happy and when he sees them doing bad actions he makes dua for them[Qadi Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtat, chapter of 'Jumu'a' and 'Hajj']

Ibn Qayyim writes: It is true that our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is presented with the actions of his Umma in his grave. This is from unauthenticated ahadith and it is not something to be surprised with, because when our parents pass away from this

world, our actions are presented to them to view. However, with our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), he is presented with the actions of the all humans and the jinn[Ibn Qayyim, Qasida Nounia 13]

The Prophet can hear from his grave

Prophets and Saints have been given the ability to hear from afar

The Prophet Sulaiman, peace be upon him, heard the conversation of the ants from a distance.[Al- Quran Surah al Namal verse 19]

Ibn Qayyim writes: Our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), has said that on Fridays send as much Blessings as you can on me. If when-one sends Blessings to me, where-ever he may be his voice will reach me. The Companions said even after your death, our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), replied affirmative. This is because Allah most High, has made the bodies of the Prophets haram (forbidden) for the earth to eat. [Jala ul Afham page 63 by Hafidhh Ibn Qayyim] he also wrote that the Prophet of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:Send salutations on me, but send more salutations on Friday. When you recite the salutation, your voice will reach me wherever you are. Some companions asked, even after your death? The Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, Allah has made it unlawful for the earth to decompose my body.[Hafidhh Ibn-al-Qayyim, Jalaul-Afhaan page 145]

Even Hafidhh Ibn al-Qayyim opined that the Prophet can hear from afar even though the Prophet is in his grave:

The Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), has said that when you send salutations to him from wherever you might be, he can hear your voice.

[Jal ul Afhaam, page 100, by Hafidhh Ibn al-Qayyim]

The Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), heard the footsteps of Bilal,may Allah be pleased with Him, in Paradise. [Bukhari and Muslim Kitab-al-Manaqib., Muslim., fazail Bilal]

When women quarrel with their husbands who are righteous (and who go to paradise) the Hoors (fair Maidens of Paradise) listen to their arguing from Paradise whilst they are still on the earth. [Mishkat-al-Masabih in Chapter of Muashirat-an-Nisa]

Evidence that they still can hear after death

Hafidhh Ibn al Qayyim writes:

The Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), stated: I hear the voice of every person who sends salams (peace and

blessings) upon me, wherever he may be. [Hafidhh Ibn-al-Qayyim Jala-al-Afham page 145]

lexicon Lisaan ul-Araab where he says that Ya! can be applied for either a person who is near, or far, from the caller. [look under Yaa in Lisaan ul-Arabi]

The Prophet can speak from his grave

The Holy Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said: No-one greets me except that Allah has retuned my soul to me so that I may greet him back Riyaadas Saleeheen; al-Adhkaar; Fath ul-Baari, Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, hadeeth is narrated from Abu Hurayrah; al-Haythami, Majmua az-Zawaaid

Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah says: A group of people heard the answer of their Salaam. And Saeed Ibn Al- Musayyib in the days of Harrah heard the voice of our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), saying the Adhan, from the grave. And there are more events like these and they are all true. [Iqtidah Siratul-Mustakeem page 373 by Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah]

Imam Daarmi writes: When Yazid bin Muawiya attacked Madinah, there was no adhan or Jamat in Masjid an-Nabawi for three days. Saeed bin Musayab states, I stayed in Masjid an-Nabawi for the three days and pretended to be Majnun, (mad) and for every prayer, I heard the adhan from the blessed grave of the Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace). [Daarmi, chapter on Fadail e-Nabi]

Hafidhh Ibn-e-Taymiyya writes that: Ibn Musayabs listening of the adhan from the Prophets grave or the returning of salaam from the graves of the Awliya, is haqq and we believe in it.[Iqtida as Sirat alMustaqim, page 373]

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes:Zaid ibn Kharjah was one of the pious that talked after his death. When he died and was placed in his coffin, he started to talk and said: I bear witness that Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah and his name Ahmad was mentioned in the previous scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament); and Abu Bakr and Umar were two caliphs and now it is Usmans Government. Four years have passed and there are two years to go and conflicts will come and Muslims will become weak. A lot of scholars verify this narration including Imam Bukhari and Imam al-Bayhaqi.

There was another pious person who talked after his death. Abdullah Ansari reports that In the time of Alis Caliphate I was walking among the martyred and a person spoke, saying that Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Abu-Bakar and Usman are all true. A group of scholars say that talking after passing away is true and these are authentic narrations

[Tareek Ibn Kathir and Ibn Kathir, Sirat an-Nabi, chapter on 'alMujazaat'. Also, Ta'rikh ul Kabeer, Ta'rikh Bagdad, al-Jahrhu-Tadeel, Tahdeed al Tahdeeb, Usd al-Gaba; Bukhari,, Al Asabah - biography of Zaid ibn Kharjah; Khatib ibn abi Hatim, Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani, Imam Ibn Atheer].

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes:

There was a Tabii called Ribee ibn Harraash, and he said I will not laugh until I know whether I am going to go to Heaven or Hell. When he died, and was bathed and placed in the coffin, he started to smile and started to talk. He said, I met Allah and He was pleased with me and I asked him to give me permission to go back to the people and tell them that Allah is pleased with me, and He gave me permission. I am going back. This is in accordance with saying of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that There will be a follower [Tabi'i] and after his death he will speak; and he will be the best among the tabieen

[Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir, Sirat un Nabi, chapter on Miracles; Ta'rikh-eBagdad, Tahdeeb at Tahdeeb, Ibn Kathir, Al Jahr hu wa Ta'deel; Khatib Baghdadi, Hafiz al-'Asqalani; Ibn abi KHatim, Biography of Ribee ibn Harraash].

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes:

Ata ibn Khalid stated:My Aunt went to the grave of Hamza (may Allah be well pleased with him) and said, Assalaamu alaikum!She heard the answer of the salaam and the voice was coming from under the earth. She said, I recognised the answer of my salaam as I recognise that Allah Most High has created me, and as I recognise the difference between day and night that is how clear it was. Besides my slave and I there was no other person, which is why I was frightened

[Ibn Kathir, Sirat an-Nabi, chapter on 'Battle of Uhud']

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes:

A young person used to come to the Mosque for his prayers. One day a woman with bad intentions invited him to her house. When he was in her house, he recited a verse from the Holy Quran loudly and collapsed and died from the fear of Allah. The people prayed the funeral prayer and buried him. Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) asked:Where is that young individual who used to come to the Mosque for his prayers?They replied:He passed away and we have buried him. Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) went to his grave and called out to him and recited a verse from the Holy Quran:But for him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Paradises[Sura al-Rahman, verse 46]The young man replied from his grave Indeed Allah has given me two Paradises

[Tafsir Ibn Kathir under Sura al-'Araf, verse 202]

Hadith on the authority of Abu Hurayra: I heard the Prophet say: By the one in Whose hand is Abu al-Qasims soul, `Isa ibn Maryam shall descend as a just and wise ruler. He shall destroy the cross, slay the swine, eradicate discord and grudges, and money shall be offered to him but he will not accept it. Then he shall stand at my grave side and say: Ya Muhammad! and I will answer him. Abu Ya`la relates it with a sound (sahih) chain in his Musnad Dar al-Mamun ed. 1407/1987) And al- Haythami says in Majma` al-zawaid (8:5), Chapter entitled: `Isa ibn Maryams Descent: Its sub-narrators are the men of sound (sahih) hadith. Mustadrak lil Hakim

The Prophet has Supernatural Seeing

The Prophet could indeed see what others could not possibly see when he was alive, this was of course by Allahs will. Here are some examples of where the Prophet could see supernaturally in his very lifetime:

Muhammad bin Abd al-Wahhab writes:One night, the Prophet of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), was in his house and was heard to proclaim I am here! three times and You have been granted help also three times. Umm al-Muminin, Maymunah, may Allah be well pleased with her, asked the Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), whom he had been talking to since there was no one present. He, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), replied, I was talking to a person called Rajiz from the tribe of Bani Kaab. He asked for help from me against the Quraysh. Umm alMuminin, Maymunah, may Allah be well pleased with her, said that when she finished reading the fajr prayer the next morning, she heard Rajiz calling out the following in the streets of Madina: Ya Rasul Allah! Help us and call the servants of Allah to help us. [Mukhtasar Sirat ar- Rasul, chapter on the Conquest of Makka]

This miracle was also given to Awliyah of Allah such as the Sahaabi Umar, who could see a battle that was happening in Persia when he was standing and giving a Khutbah in Madinah. Ibn Kathir writes:

Umar, may Allah be pleased with Him, whilst delivering a Friday sermon in Madinah called out and said, Ya Sariah! The mountain. That very moment, Sariah, may Allah be pleased with Him, was in a

place in Persia called Nahawand, engaged in a battle with the enemy. What Umar, may Allah be pleased with Him, meant by his call was: O Sariah! Seek protection behind the mountain. Sariah, may Allah be pleased with Him, heard this and was subsequently saved. When the people heard these words during the Friday they were surprised. After winning the battle, Sariah came to Madinah. He told about how they had been under attack by the enemy. Suddenly they had heard Umars voice and hid behind the mountain and were saved. [Tarikh Ibn Kathir, chapter on the Khilafah of Umar]

Apart from his servants, Allah has even given power to Shaytan, who sits on his throne in the sea and sees you wherever you may be [Suraal-A'raf, under verse 27]. So if Allah can bestow such powers to a kafir then why is it so difficult to believe that He can bestow such powers to the most beloved of his creation our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)?

The Prophets can manifest themselves in the flesh by the will of Allah Abdullah Bin Baz argues that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam cannot come out of his grave until the day of resserection by using the following ayah of the Quran: Then after that you shall surely die, then on the day of resserection, you will be raised up Surah al-Muminun 23, ayahs 15-16.

As seen from the context this ayah is general to all mankind, however why does Abdullah Bin Baz try to make this specific to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam?

On the night of the Isra wal-Miraj all the previous Prophets that had passed away before manifested in the flesh to pray behind the last Prophet, Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wasallam, and to use this ayah against the remote possiblity, even by miracle is infact to deny the great event of the Isra wal-Miraj. Wahhabis have a problem in believing the possibility of the miracle of the Prophets manifesting in the flesh even after they have passed away. However, it is not hard for Sunni scholars such as Ibn Katheer to believe, as he documents in his great compilation of Tareekh that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wassallam did indeed manifest in the flesh to help Uthmaan was his house was besieged, he said:

Uthman Ghani, may Allah be pleased with Him, said that when the enemy surrounded his house and stopped the household from receiving water, they were thirsty for many days. Uthman said: One day I saw that the Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), give me some water from my window. Some days later my roof parted, and the Prophet of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) accompanied by Aby Bakr and Umar (May Allah be pleased with them, entered and gave me some water to drink, and enquired: You will break your fast with us tomorrow

[Tarikh Ibn Kathir, Chapter on the death of Uthman, may Allah be pleased with Him]

After denying the possiblity that the Prophets can manifest in the flesh by using the ayah of the Quran to puport his baatil claim, Bin Baz continues to say A Muslim should be aware of these things and must not be easily misled by the innovations and superstitions created by the ignorant people with no authority in Islam at all p. 11, Indispensable Implication of the Sunnah and Caution Against

Innovation by Abdul Azeez Abdullah Bin Baz, printed by Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Saudi publication no. 385

With such a lightly spoken, but heavy accusation he has indeed insulted many orthodox scholars from the Sahaabah, Taabieen, and throughout the history of Islam by labelling them as ignorant people for their belief that the Prophets can manifest in the flesh. Imaam atTahaawi has indeed warned us that anybody who insults the scholars are not from the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaaah. Why then should we give an ear to the false notions of verdicts of Abdul Azeez Abdullah Bin baz?

The dead can indeed help and benefit the living

Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated:My life is better for you; you narrate ahadith and ahadith are narrated for you. When I pass away it will continue to benefit you because your actions will be presented before me.If I see a good deed I shall praise Allah Most High. If I see a bad deed of yours I shall ask Allah Most High to forgive you[Majmu' az-Zwa'id, vol.9, page24; Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir, Death of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)]

Similarly, Qadi Shawkani writes:Our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) knows the actions of his Umma. When he sees them doing something good, he is happy and when he sees them doing bad actions he makes dua for them[Qadi Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtat, chapter of 'Jumu'a' and 'Hajj']

Ibn Taymiyyah wrote:A person came to the blessed grave of the Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), and requested food from the Prophet and sat down. After a while a Hashmi [a member of the Prophets (May Allah bless him and grant him peace] family came to him. He had with him a tray of food, and said, this food has been sent by the Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), and with it he gave a message: eat it and leave from here because whoever loves us does not make this kind of desire. [Iqtida as Sirat al Mustaqim, page 290 by Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyya]

Even Ibn Taymiyyah has said to have helped people in fiqh issues from beyond his grave! Hafidhh Ibn al Qayyim states: Many people saw Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah after his death in their dreams and asked him many difficult questions on issues of Fiqh Masaail and he replied to all their questions. Only those people can reject this who are ignorant of the status of the spirits (Arwah) [Kitab-ar-Ruh, end of chapter 3., Hafidhh Ibn al-Qayyim]

Many people have reported seeing Ibn Taymiyah in their dreams and have narrated that they would question Ibn Taymiyah who in turn gave precise answers to their questions

Hafidhh Ibn al Qayyim further states that:When numerous people have the same type of dream and what they have seen in their dreams actually happens to call these kinds of dreams as only dreams, this is said by the people that have no sense [Kitab al Ruh, Chapter, 3., Hafidhh Ibn Qayyim]

Imam Daarmi writes: When Yazid bin Muawiya attacked Madinah, there was no adhan or Jamat in Masjid an-Nabawi for three days.

Saeed bin Musayab states, I stayed in Masjid an-Nabawi for the three days and pretended to be Majnun, (mad) and for every prayer, I heard the adhan from the blessed grave of the Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace). [Daarmi, chapter on Fadail e-Nabi]

Hafidhh Ibn-e-Taymiyya writes that: Ibn Musayabs listening of the adhan from the Prophets grave or the returning of salaam from the graves of the Awliya, is haqq and we believe in it. [Iqtida as Sirat alMustaqim, page 373]

Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyya writes:Some people came to the grave of our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), and requested something, and their needs were fulfilled. In the like manner, the pious people can also fulfill the needs of people and we do not deny this[Iqtida as Sirat al-Mustaqim, - page 373, Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyya]

Hafidhh Ibn al Qayyim writes: After dying, the Ruh (Spirit) can do those things that it cannot do when the person is alive in the dunya, (world) just as one or two Ruhs defeated a large army. Many companions relate that they saw the Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), Abu Bakr and Umar, May Allah be well pleased with them, in their dreams at night fighting with them against the kuffar and winning the battle. Then it became a reality: on the following day a small army of Muslims defeated an army of many, many kafirs. [Kitab ar-Ruh, chapter 15, Hafidhh Ibn al Qayyim]

The Sahaabah called upon the Prophet

Imaam Bukhaari mentions a hadeeth in his Adab ul-Mufrad where the Sahaabah would say Yaa Muhammad after the Prophet had passed away . This was over something small as a cramp in their leg, yet they called upon the Prophet! This is seen from the following evidence:

Some time after Rasulullah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had passed away, Abd Allah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was in Najd where one day his foot became numb. As a remedy to alleviate the pain, a person advised him, Remember the one whom you love the most!. Upon hearing this Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, Ya Muhammad! (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and his foot made an immediate recovery from numbness

Imaam Nawawi also mentions this in his al-Adhkaar, and Imaam ashShawkaani in his Tuhfat adh-Dhaakireen. Hafiz Ibn Kathir, Imam at-Tabari and Imam Ibn al-Athir all wrote:

During the Khilafa of Abu Bakr as-Siddique (may Allah be pleased with him) there was a battle against the false prophet, Musaylima of Najd. When the battle commenced, the Muslims lost their footing at which point Khalid ibn Walid (may Allah be pleased with him) and the rest of the Companions called out Ya Muhammad! (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and proceeded to win the battle

[Tabari, Ta'rikh at-Tabari; Ibn Kathir, Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir; and Ibn alAthir and Ibn Jarir, Ta'rikh Qamil, chapter on 'Musaylima Kazzab']

Hafiz Ibn Kathir and Imam Tabari both write:

During the Khilafa of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) there was a famine outside the city of Madina. A Companion called Bilal ibn Harith al Muzni (may Allah be pleased with him) said to his people, The famine is very severe, [let us] sacrifice a goat. Apart from a red bone nothing came from the goat [the goat was very thin due to famine and as such, there was no meat on the bones]. Bilal ibn Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) called out, Ya Muhammad! (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) then appeared in the dream of Bilal ibn Harith and informed him that there will be rain

[Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir and Ibn Jarir, chapter on 'Khilafah of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)] Hafiz Ibn Kathir and Imam Tabari both write:

After the occasion of Karbala, Sayyida Zaynab (may Allah be well pleased with her) [the sister of Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him)] and her company were taken as prisoners to Syria. When she passed the dead bodies she proclaimed: Ya Muhammad! Your Husayn is drenched in blood without a shroud or a grave, and Ya Muhammad! Your daughters are taken prisoners and your children have been killed

[Ibn Jarir and Ta'rikh Ibn Kathir, chapter on 'Karbala'] Karbala took place in Iraq in 60AH. At that time Zaynab (may Allah be well pleased with her) said Ya Muhammad!

Qadi Shawkani relates that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:

If one is in trouble or is in distress, he should perform two nawafil rakats and then make a supplication. One should say Ya Muhammad! (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and Allah Most High will grant them what they requested and their problems and troubles should be resolved.The scholars of hadith say that this hadith is authentic and at-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim, Nasai, Ibn Majah and atTabarani record it.

[Qadi Shawkani, Tofah al Dhakireen, chapter on 'Salat al-Hajat'] Even Ibn Taymiyah said about this hadeeth:

In the same way as Abd Allah ibn Umars foot became numb and he remembered the one he loves the most, Abd Allah Ibn Abbass foot also became numb. Someone also advised him to remember the one who he loves the most, whereupon Abd Allah Ibn Abbas exclaimed Ya! Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and his foot immediately recovered from numbness [Ibn Taymiyya, Al Kalim al Tayyib, chapter on 'Khadirat Rijluhu']

Ibn Qudaamah

Shaykh ul-Islam, Imaam Muwaffaq ud-Deen Ibn Qudaamah, may Allah have Mercy on him, indeed encouraged tawassul, and even calling upon the Prophet [Sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] in his great encyclopedia of fiqh, al-Mughni, when he said:

It is praiseworthy to visit the grave of the Prophet [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] due to what has been collected by Imaam ad-Daraqutni when he mentioned the chain of transmission from Ibn Umar, who quoted the Messenger of Allah [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam], as saying:

Whoever made the Hajj, then visited my grave after my death, it is as if he had visited me in my life.

There is also another narration similar to this, which reads:

Whoever visited my grave, it is necessary that my intercession be for him.

This wording has been related from Said, who narrated from Hafs Ibn Sulaiman from Laith from Mujaahid from Ibn Umar, and Ahmad said in the narration of Abdullah from Yazid ibn Qusait from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] said:

There is none that greets me at my grave except Allah returns my soul in order to greet him.

When one is making Hajj having not done it before as they are coming from outside Shaam he would not go to Madinah first, as it is feared that something may happen to him. Rather it is necessary that he sets out for Makkah first in the quickest time possible and does not preoccupy himself with anywhere else. al-Utbi said:

I was sitting at the grave of the Messenger of Allah [Sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] when a Bedouin came and said:

as-Salaamu alayka Yaa Rasul Allah, I have heard Allah say[then he recited Surah an-Nisaa ayah 64

Whereas in another narration, it is said the Bedouin said:

You are the best of all the Messengers! Allah sent the Book to you in truth and He said in that book:

If, when they had wronged themselves, they had only come to you and asked forgiveness of Alla, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah forgiving and Merciful Surat un-Nisaa [4], ayah 64 I have come to you seeking forgiveness for my sin, seeking intercession with you to my Lord. Then the Bedouin said:

I call upon the best, the one who his body is buried deep within the earth; the depth and the height f your place have become sweetened; for the grave you inhabit, let me be the ransom; and in the grave is found purity, bounty and much nobility and goodness! . After that the Bedouin tuned and left then I fell asleep. I saw the holy Prophet [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] in a dream, and he said

Utbi! The Bedouin spoke the truth, so go and give him the news that Allah has forgiven his sins.

I went out to find him but I did not see him.

It is praiseworthy that whoever enters the masjid enters with his right foot then says In the name of Allah and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, O Allah peace be upon Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and have mercy and forgive me, and open the doors of your mercy to me. When he exits the masjid he should say something like that and say:

Open the doors of your virtue for me, due to what has been narrated by Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] as he taught her these words upon entering the masjid. Upon reaching the grave, he turns his back to the Qiblah, faces the grave, then says,

as-Salaamu Alayka ayyuhan-Nabi wa rahmahtuh wa barakatuhu, asSalaamu alayka Yaa Nabi, the best from all of His creation and servants

I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and He is alone without having any partner. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger

I bear witness that you have conveyed all the messages of your Lord, you advised you Ummah, called to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good admonition, you worshipped Allah until came to you the certainty

May the abundant blessings of Allah be upon you, just as He loves and is pleased to give, Yaa Allah! Reward our Prophet [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam] with a better reward than any other Prophets that have came before him. Give the the praiseworthy station you have promised, making him the leader of the first and the last.

O Allah! Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the family of Muhammad, just as you send blessings on Ibraheem and the family of Ibraheem, you are the Praised and the Majestic. Peace and blessings be upon Muhammad just as you sent peace and blessings upon Ibrahim and his family, you are the praised, the Majestic. Yaa Allah! You spoke and your word is true.[and then recite the ayah]:

If, when they had wronged themselves, they had only come to you and asked forgiveness of Alla, and the Messenger had

asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah forgiving and Merciful Surat un-Nisaa [4], ayah 64 I have come to you seeking forgiveness for my sins, seeking to make intercession with you to my Lord. I ask you O Lord, let there be granted for me intercession and forgiveness, just as you had granted it for whoever came to him in his lifetime. Ya Allah! Make him to be the first of those to make intercession, the most perfect of those who ask you, the most noble of the last and the first. Ya Allah, of this we ask by Your Mercy, as You are indeed the Most Merciful!

He should then pray for his parents, siblings and for the rest of the Muslims. He should them move down a hand-span and say asSalaamu alayka Yaa Abu Bakr as-Sideeq, as-Salaamu alayka Yaa Umar al-Faruq, peace be upon both of you. The two companions of the Messenger of Allah [sal Allahu alayhi wasallam], his intimate friends and ministers, may the Mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon both of you.

Ya Allah! Reward them both from the virtue of their Prophet [sal allahu alyhi wasallam], Islam, peace be upon you, by remaining steadfast. Hiw favoured is the home of the hereafter? Ya Allah! Do not make this my last visit to the grave of Your Prophet [sal allahu alayhi wassalam] or the sanctity of Your masjid. You are the Most Merciful, and show the most Mercy. [1]

I heard one of the authorities whom I have met say: It has reached us that whoever stands at the Prophets grave and recites: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet (33:56) and then says: May Allah bless you, O Muhammad (sallallahu `alayka Yaa Muhammad) seventy times, an angel will call him saying: May Allah bless you, O So-and-so; none of your needs will be left unfulfilled. Ibn

al-Jawzi has narrated this hadeeth in in Muthir al-gharam p. 487, and also Qadi `Iyad in his ash-Shifa, and Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman (#4169).