Istighatha

Istighatha/Istiana/Istamdad means Beseeching for help

In Light of Qur'an

Translation: Thee do we worship, AND Thine aid we seek.[Al-Fatiha:5]

There are three very important points derived from this verse of Glorious
Qur'an

(A) Allah differentiated between "worship" and "asking for help" by

putting AND ( )in-between the two, so had worship and asking for help
been the same things then Allah would not have differentiated between
them, rather it would have been only said: "Iyyaka Nabudu Iyyaka
Nastain" (Thee do we worship, thine aid we seek), therefore different
ruling shall apply on Istighatha depending on the nature of it whereas
worship of any kind directed towards anyone other than Allah is an absolute
Shirk/Kufr.

(B) This verse proves that real help is from none but Allah azza Wajjal,
whosoever believes that someone/something other than Allah provides
Haqeeqi (real) and independent help then such a person is Mushrik, so it
should always be embedded in hearts and minds that the cause and effect is
only created by Allah inall cases.

(C) This verse is general and does not differentiate between seeking help
from an alive or dead. Hence same ruling shall apply in both cases, those
who say that you can ask alive people for help but not pious people who
have passed away, they have no proof whatsoever, rather they misuse this
verse by giving false interpretation. Remember false interpretation to
Qur'an can lead to hell fire. If their logic was true then according to this
verse even asking for help from alive should be shirk. Some people would
be surprised to know that Ahlus Sunnah considers it shirk even to ask
an alive person for help in the wrong manner.

In Qur'an itself the Prophets have asked help from other than Allah at many
occasions and the Awliya even did marvelous acts of Karamah, for example

1. Qur'an states: [Solomon] said: O chiefs! Which of you will

bring me her throne before they come unto me, in
submission? A powerful one from among the Jinn said, "I will bring it to
you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong
and trustworthy." Said one who had knowledge of the Book: "I will
bring it to you"WITHIN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE" Then when
(Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is of the bounty of
my Lord! to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And if
any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul;
but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs,
Supreme in Honour !" [Surah an-Naml (27:38-40)]

These Quranic verses prove that Solomon (AS) asked for help from his
assembly of "Jinn and Men" then a man (saint called Asif) who had
knowledge of the book brought it in BLINK OF AN EYE. We all know that
throne of Queen Balkees was thousands of miles away, so how did that man
bring it in blink of an eye? And why did Solomon ask his subordinates and
not Allah? The simple answer to this is that it all happened with the will of
Allah and Istighatha with this firm belief is perfectly allowed whether we are
asking someone alive or a pious personality who has passed away

2. Qur'an states: Verily, your Walee (Protector or Helper) is Allah, His

Messenger, and the believers, - those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-
Salat), and give Zakat, and they bow down (submit themselves with
obedience to Allah in prayer). [Muhsin/Hilali 5:55]
 *The Following verse is very important to
understand, rather is a lightening from Lord
Almighty upon those who deny Istighatha*

.
3. Qur'an states: When Allah will say, O Eisa, the son of Maryam! Remember My
favour upon you and your mother; when I supported you with the Holy Spirit; you were
speaking to people from the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you the Book and wisdom
and the Taurat and the Injeel; and when you used to mould a bird-like sculpture from clay, by
My command, and blow into it so it (the living bird) used to fly by My command, and you
used to cure him who was born blind and cure the leper, by My command; "AND WHEN
YOU USED TO RAISE UP THE DEAD, BY MY COMMAND" and when I restrained the
Descendants of Israel against you when you came to them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers
among them said, This is nothing but clear magic [(Surah al-Maidah (5:110)]

Also see Qur'an 3:49 which is even more explicit and Isa (alayh
salam) is shown to have used the words: "I MAKE ( ) ...I

breath ( ) into it and it becomes a bird by permission of

Allah... And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to
the dead - by permission of Allah


(

)

Complete verse in Arabic:

a) It is our firm belief that Only Allah gives life and and brings back from death.

b) It is our firm belief that only Allah cures the blind.

c) It is our firm belief that only Allah cures the lepers.

So why has Allah made these as "Granted" qualities of Isa (alayh salam) too? The answer is
given inside these verses i.e. all of this happens with the "Will of Allah" hence
Istighatha (help) from Prophets and Awliya is not their personal power but in reality power
of Allah. With this belief seeking their help could never be Shirk rather this is highest stage
of Irfan (deep knowledge).

4. Qur'an also states:

If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger gave them, and had
said, "Sufficient unto us is Allah! Allah and His Messenger will soon give us of His
bounty: to Allah do we turn our hopes!" (that would have been the right course).(9:59)

5. Qur'an states at another place: If ye two turn in repentance to Him,

your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against
him, truly God is his Protector, AND GIBRIEL, AND (EVERY)

RIGHTEOUS ONE among those who believe (

will back




) ,- and furthermore, the angels -
(him) up.(66:4)
Here Allah has Himself applied the word MAWLA (PROTECTOR) with
Himself, also Gibriel and other believers.

6. Qur'an states: But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he

cried: Who will be MY HELPERS in the cause of Allah?
) The disciples said: We will be Allah's
(
helpers(


) . We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that
we have surrendered (unto Him).(Yusuf Ali, 3:52)

After reading this verse we would like you to scroll up and read the point (c)
which was mentioned in reference to Surah Fatihas ayah.

7. Qur'an states:

And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before thee: Did We
ever appoint gods to be worshipped beside the Beneficent? (43:45)

Here Allah is directly teaching the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to ask
previous Messengers, interpretation that this verse refers to asking the
knowledgeable Jews and Christians of his time does not do justice to the
clear wording of Qur'an itself. The interpretation that Prophet (Peace be upon
him) asked the previous Messengers/Prophets on the night of Isra wal
Mi'raaj is justified, however Salafis should understand that night journey of
Prophet (Peace be upon him) was both in body and spirit and it proves
Haqeeqi Hayaat of Anbiya and they being capable of coming back to earth
and also being present in heavens at the same time.

Isra wa'l Mi'raaj is amongst the most deepest reality of realities. The
Parvaize (Qur'anite) sect which denies bodily Mi'raaj of Prophet (Peace be
upon him) has been unanimously declared as misguided rather Kafir cult.
 In the Light of Hadith
Hadith # 1

In Mishqaat ul Masabih It states:

. . . .

Translation: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to Sayyidna Ka'b

(RA): Ask for something (O Ka'b). Ka'b (ra) said: I ask for your
companionship in Jannah. The Prophet said: Do you want something
else? He replied: Just this, the Prophet (saw) then said: help me by doing
more prostrations Taken from (Sahih) Muslim [Mishqat ul Misabih, Volume
No. 1 Page No. 156, Published by Maktaba al Mishkaat]

This hadith proves that the Sahabi asked for paradise from Prophet (
) and the Prophet ( ) in return told him to ask for
more!! The Prophet ( ) did not say that you asked for Jannah
from Ghair Ullah, hence you have become Mushrik!

Sheikh Abdul Haqq Muhadith Dhelvi (rah) writes under this hadith:

The meaning of Prophet (Peace be upon him) saying ASK and not
restricting it to something specific proves that all things are in hands of
Prophet (Peace be upon him) and he can grant anyone whatsoever he
wishes through the grant of Allah, because the world and hereafter are
his Sikhawat and the knowledge of Loh and Qalam is part of his Uloom, If
you are in need of anything relating to world or hereafter then come to the
Prophet (Peace be upon him) and get your need fulfilled. [Ashat ul Lamaat,
Sharah al Mishqaat, Volume No.2, Page No. 247]

Mullah Ali Qari (rah) says:

Translation: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) saying to ASK refers to Allah
giving him capability to grant anything from the TREASURES OF
ALLAH [Mirqat Sharh al Mishqaat (2/615)]

He also said:

Translation: Imam Ibn Sabih and others have mentioned it in qualities of

Prophet (Peace be upon him) that Allah has granted the land of Jannah to
Prophet (Peace be upon him) so that he can grant whosoever he wishes
[Mirqaat Sharh al Mishqaat (2/615)]

Hadith # 2

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari: Allah's Apostle said, "Name

yourselves after me (by my name) but do not call (yourselves) by my
Kuniya, for I am Al-Qasim (distributor), and I distribute among you
Allah's blessings."This narration has also come on the authority of Anas
that the Prophet said so."
Volume 8, Book 73, Number 216: (Sahih Bukhari)

So Allah is the granter and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is distributor,
hence this hadith proves the Waseela of Prophet (Peace be upon him).
Without any doubt. It should be known that Istighatha is nothing but
Waseela in real sense and belief of Muslims is always that real grant is from
Allah alone.

Hadith # 3

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 553: (Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar The Prophet said, "A man keeps on asking
others for something till he comes on the Day of Resurrection without any
piece of flesh on his face." The Prophet added, "On the Day of Resurrection,
the Sun will come near (to, the people) to such an extent that the sweat will
reach up to the middle of the ears, so, when all the people are in that
state, they will ask Adam for help (), and then Moses, and then
Muhammad (p.b.u.h) The sub-narrator added "Muhammad will intercede
with Allah to judge amongst the people. He will proceed on till he will hold
the ring of the door (of Paradise) and then Allah will exalt him to Maqam
Mahmud (the privilege of intercession, etc.). And all the people of the
gathering will send their praises to Allah.

Now remember people will run towards Prophets for help, clearly word
Istighatha has been used in this hadith, this proves that had Istighatha been
shirk then it could never be allowed on day of judgment and all those
Prophets would have rather told the people to run towards Allah alone rather
than next prophet!

Hadith # 4

:
: "
."
.

Translation: Allah has angels on the earth - other than the [two] record-
keepers - who keep a record [even] of the leaves that fall on the
ground. Therefore, if one of you is crippled in a deserted land where no-one
is in sight, let him cry out: Help O servants of Allah

Imam al Haytami (rah) said after this hadith: It is narrated by Al-Bazzar

and all its narrators are reliable (thiqa)[Reference: Majma uz Zawaid,
Volume 10, Hadith No. 17104]

This hadith is not only authentic but rather it has been PRACTICED UPON
by great Imams

Translation: Abdullah bin Ahmed bin Hanbal (rah) said that he heard his
father (Imam Ahmed) who said: I performed Hajj 5 times, thrice on foot and
twice on ride or he said thrice on ride and twice on foot, once when I was on
foot I lost my way hence I started to exclaim this: O Allahs servants
show me the way () , I kept on repeating this until I
came back on track. [Imam Baihaqi in Shuayb ul Iman, Volume 6, Page No
128, Hadith No. 7697]

13737-:" " :


" .

After Imam At-Tabarani transmitted the hadith of calling out : O Servants of

Allah, Help me! In his Mu'jam al Kabir (17/117) he said this has been
acted upon ()

So Alhamdulillah the great Muhaditheen themselves acted upon it and

approved it, had there been a hint of shirk in this then they would have
mentioned it!

Imam al-Nawawi (rah) said:

:
..

Translation: One of our major (kibar) scholars in knowledge related to me

that he lost his means of transport, which I presume was a mule, and he
was aware of this hadith and said (the dua) so Allah brought to him his
animal immediately. I was once with a group of people and my animal fled
and the people failed (to find it) and I said (the dua) and I found the animal
immediately without any means but this statement.[Kitab ul Adhkaar by
Imam Nawawi, Page No. 370, Published by Dar al Manhaaj, Beirut, Lebanon]

Imam Mullah Ali Qari (Rahimuhullah) also in Sharah of Hisn-ul-Hiseen writes

that our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that:

Translation: If the animal of someone runs loose in jungle, then he should

say: O Allahs servants stop it
He writes under Ibaad Allah

Translation: It means the angels, Muslims, jinn or men of unseen i.e.

Abdaal

Then he writes:

Translation: This hadith is Hassan and the travelers are in urgent

need of it and this has been acted upon[Sharah Hisn ul Hasin, Al-Hirz al-
Thamin, page 378]

Hadith # 5

Translation: Maymuna bint Harith, the blessed wife of Prophet (Peace be

upon him) narrates: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was doing Wudhu for
Tahajjud Salaah at the home of Hazrat Maimuna (radi Allahu anha). He
suddenly called out three times, "Labbaik, Labbaik, Labbaik!" (Here I
am) and "Nusirtu, Nusirtu, Nusirtu!" (I helped you). Hadhrat Maimuna
(Radhi Allaho anha) further asked him why he had called out those words".
He replied:"Raajiz (a sahabi from far) was calling me because Quraish
wanted to kill him"[Imam Tabarani in Mujam as-Sagheer, Volume No.2,
Hadith # 968]

What actually happened was that the Quraish wanted to kill Hazrat Umar bin
Saalim Raajiz (radi Allahu anhu) as he was on the road leading to Madinatul
Munawwarah. He called out: Prophet (Peace be upon you): Help me or else
the enemies will kill me!" Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) responded to his call from home and saved him from death.

If Salafis have problem with this report then in Mutabiyat a Sahih Athar is being shown.
The Sahih and Mushoor Athar of Umar (RA) calling Hadrat Sariyah (ra) from
far and helping him (Note: Hadrat Sariyah Radhi Allah also heard the call).

: :
! : -
- :
: .
(
: ) .
Translation: Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Umar ibn ul Khattab (RA) once
deputed an army and made a person Ameer upon them who was called
Sariyah (RA). After this one day when Umar (RA) was giving Khutba, he
called out (loudly): Ya Sariyah, the mountain, and he proclaimed this thrice (
- ) . When the messenger of that army came and asked Umar
(RA), by saying: O Ameer ul Mo'mineen! We confronted the enemy and we
were getting defeated, but "SUDDENLY A VOICE WAS HEARD" i.e. O Sariyah,
the mountain, and this was heard thrice. We turned our backs towards the
mountain and due to this Allah defeated the enemy. He asked Umar (RA)
were you proclaiming that?
Imam al-Hindi gives references via Imam Ibn Hajr al-Asqalani (rah)'s al-
Isaba and quotes Ibn Hajr saying:
:
Translation: al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr said in al-Isaba: The Isnaad is
"HASAN" [Kanz ul Amaal, Hadith # 35788, or see Urdu version, Volume #
12, Page # 608, Published by Dar ul Ishaat, Urdu Bazaar, Lahore, Pakistan.
Also see Isaba fi Tamiyz as Sahaba by Ibn Hajr al Asqalani, Volume # 3,
Page # 4, under biography of Sariyah bin Zaneem RA]

Imam Ibn Kathir (Rahimahullah) after narrating it with chain having

Muhammad bin Ajlan said:

Translation: This Sanad is "STRONG AND GOOD" [al-Bidayah wan
Nihayah (7/131)]

Sheikh Abdul Haqq Muhadith Dhelvi (Rahimuhullah), who came from Arabia
to subcontinent in order to spread the knowledge of hadith, he is respected
highly by all Muslims (including Ghair Muqalideen) , he says:
I wish my intellect was owned by people who reject beseeching for
help from Awliya, so what do they understand from it? What we
understand is that the one making dua is dependent upon Allah, and he
makes dua to Allah, asks Him for his Hajah and presents the Wasila of
Allahs friend , he says: O Allah, the blessings which you have bestowed
upon this friend of yours, please grant me something through his wasila, as
)you are the best of givers, the second case is that one calls out (nida
the Wali and makes him Mukhatib and says: "O Slave of Allah, O
Allahs friend, do my Shafaat and make this dua to Allah that he
grants me my need" Hence the one who grants and the one who fulfills the
need (in both cases) is ONLY ALLAH , the man in-between is just an
intercessor , whereas the Qadir, Fail, one who brings about change is only
]Allah [Sharah al Mishkaat, Ashatul Lamaat, Volume No. 3, Page No. 401

Imam Shams ud-din Al Ramli (Rahimuhullah) on Istighatha

(
.
. .




.

Question:

That which occurs amongst the general public who when in distress call
out Ya Sheikh Fulan and Ya Rasul Ullah and other such things in seeking help
(Istighatha) from the Prophets, the saints, Ulama and upright people. Is this
allowed or not? Do the Messengers/Prophets/Saints/righteous/Mashaikh
have the capability to help others...

Answer:
Istighatha i.e. Seeking Help from the Prophets and Messengers, the Saints,
Ulama and upright people isPERMITTED after their passing away. The
messengers, prophets and saints have (power to) help after their passing
away because their miracles do not become abolished after their deaths. The
Prophets are alive in their graves, praying and also performing hajj as it has
been mentioned in many ahadith. Therefore the help from them shall be a
miracle from them, the martyrs are also alive which is proven that they have
been seen openly killing the disbelievers.

Now regarding Awliya then this is a Karamat from them, the people of truth
believe that this happens from (the hands) of awliya both with their intention
and without it. Having a change in outer aspects of things is brought forward
by Allah through them. The Dalil for this is that these things are possible and
their occurrence is not something impossible, for example the story of
Maryam (a.s) and how the provision came to her from Allah as is stated in
Quran and the incident of Abu Bakr (ra) with his guests as is present in
Sahih, the Nile flowing to its full due to letter of Umar (ra) plus him also
seeing right from his mimbar in madina, the army approaching (Sariya ra)
and he exclaiming to the leader: Ya Sariyatul Jabal (i.e. O Sariya turn to the
mountain) i.e. warning him about the enemy behind the mountain and
Sariya (ra) even heard him though he was so far that it would take 2 months
of travel. Also Khalid bin Walid (ra) drinking poison but it not harming him.
The matters which generally go against the norm have for sure occurred
from the hands of Sahaba, Tabiyeen, and those later to come. It cannot be
possible to deny this fact because when we take this as a whole then they
reach the level of Tawatur (i.e. definitely known reality).Hence what is
possible as a miracle from Prophet is also possible as Karamah from a Saint,
there is no difference between the two except for the fact that former is
shown as a challenge [Fatawa al Ramli]

Sheikh ul Islam Imam al-Subki (rah)

Let us see the Introduction of this magnificent scholar, the real Sheikh ul
Islam of his time.

Imam Jalal ud-din Suyuti (rah) said about Imam al Subki:

.

Translation: Al-Imam, Al-Faqih, Al-Muhadith, Al-Hafidh, Al-Mufasir, Al-
Asooli, Al-Nahwi, Al-Laghwi, Al-Adeeb, Al-Mujtahid "Taqi ud-din Abu al-Hasan
Ali bin Abdul Kafi bin Ali bin Tamaam bin Yusuf bin Musa bin Tamam bin
Hamid bin Yahya bin Umar bin Uthman bin Ali bin Sawwar bin
Saleem "SHEIKH UL ISLAM AND THE IMAM OF HIS TIME" [Tabaqat al
Hufaadh (1/525)]

Sheikh ul Islam Imam al- Subki said: It should be known that Tawassul,
"ASKING FOR HELP" and intercession through the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) in the court of Allah is not only allowed but is
"RECOMMENDED" It being Legal and recommended is a known fact for
everyone who has understanding of deen, this is a deed of
Prophets/Messengers, the salaf-as-Saliheen, the Ulama and general public of
Muslims, none of them denied it nor in any time these deeds were called as
bad except for when Ibn Taymiyyah (came in picture) and he started to
reject them, his sayings made the weak get into confusion/dilemma, he did
such a Bidah which nobody before him had done... [Imam Taqi ud din as-
Subki Rahimuhulllah in his magnificent work called Shifa us Siqaam fi
Ziyaratil Khayr il Anaam, Page No. 357] Click here for Scanned Page (86)

86. Imam Al Sukbi R.A

Front cover: Shifa us-Siqaam fi Ziyarati Khayr il Anaam by Sheikh ul Islam Imam Taqi
ud-din al-Subki (Rahimuhullah)
Shifa us Siqaam fi Ziyaratal Khayr al Anaam, Page No. 357

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