Misleading the Ummah, while pretending to respect the Prophet, By Murtadha Gusau

So far as Islamic Shari’ah is anxious, Prophet Muhammad’s title will not be sacred, somewhat it’s an honourable, extremely respectable title. As for us, Muslims, we extremely respect our Prophet’s title in addition to all of the names of Allah’s Prophets (Peace be upon all of them). As it’s an honourable title, a Muslim will not be allowed to call a teddy/toy or the like with any of the names of Allah’s Prophets.

Within the title of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All reward is because of Allah, Lord of all of the worlds. Might His blessings and benedictions be upon the Messenger, his family and companions.

Expensive brothers and sisters! Just lately, a photograph displaying His Highness the Emir of Kano, Khalifah, Dr Muhammad Sanusi II, sitting beside a rug engraved along with his title, ‘The Emir of Kano Khalifah Muhammad Sanusi II,’ has generated controversy in Nigeria, particularly in northern Nigeria. Some Islamic clerics, and the Emir’s enemies have wrongly accused him of disrespecting Prophet’s title and a spiritual creed by way of his actions.

Nonetheless, the emir and we his supporters have responded to the allegations, saying that actions are judged in accordance with intention. After citing some references, we insisted that the Emir was not incorrect as a result of his intention was to not disrespect the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), which may be very true.

The clerics who accused the Emir of wrongdoing in all probability didn’t perceive him. His Highness would settle for any superior argument over his personal within the debate.

Disrespecting the title of Allah or any Prophet among the many Prophets of Allah by instantly making reference to them is what is taken into account an offence in Islam.

Emir Sanusi’s intention was by no means to disrespect the title as a result of the carpet solely bore his title, not that of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Revered brothers and sisters! We would like the Muslim Ummah to know that the title ‘Muhammad’ will not be sacred as Islamic students defined. Allah the Almighty says within the Qur’an:

“Say [O Prophet]: “I’m however a mortal man like all of you.” [Qur’an, 18:110]

And Allah the Most Excessive says:

“Say [O Prophet]: “I’m however a mortal such as you. It has been revealed to me that your Lord is the One Lord.” [Qur’an, 41:6]

Subsequently, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is, because the Qur’an clearly states, a mortal like us and his title is like our names, in precept.

Sacred Names are just for Allah Almighty. Which means the names of Allah’s attributes are names that nobody and nothing else must be named. Allah the Almighty says within the Qur’an:

“The Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that’s between them! Worship, then, Him alone, and stay steadfast in His worship. Have you learnt any whose title is comparable?” [Qur’an, 19:65]

Thus, it’s forbidden to name any person ‘Allah’, ‘God’, or any of the remainder of the names for Allah’s attributes, that are well-known, comparable to Ar-Rahman (The All-Compassionate), Ar-Rahim (The All-Merciful), Al-Malik (The Absolute Ruler), Al-Quddus (The Pure One), Al-Jabbar (The Compeller), Al-Mutakabbir (The Best), Al-Khaliq (The Creator), and so forth.

Nobody and nothing must be given or referred to as by these names, besides with clear distinction from Allah. For instance, somebody could possibly be referred to as artistic or merciful, however not The Creator or The Most Merciful, and so forth.

Thus, the title ‘Muhammad’ can and is used for human beings apart from the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Having mentioned that, I wish to assert that some social and political correctness must be noticed when one makes use of the title ‘Muhammad’ for an inanimate object since Muslim have a robust filial affiliation with that title.

Social and political correctness is one thing that clearly is relative to every society. Every society establishes traditions and the quantity of fashionable respect or disrespect related to a sure individual or object.

For instance, referring to the 2007 incident the place the varsity trainer in Sudan allowed college students to call their teddy/toy bears ‘Muhammad’, my humble opinion is that it’s a story that belongs to a sure political propaganda and has nothing to do with Islamic legislation.

Thus, it isn’t a matter of whether or not the title ‘Muhammad’ is a sacred title or not. The problem is that we’re coping with:

1. Repressed societies needing any non-anti-government story to permit them to sound their frustrations and depressions with out concern of persecution.

2. Media businesses spreading Islamophobia, inhibiting cross-cultural communication and cooperation, and selling the conflict of civilisation theories.

3. An absence of cross-culture dialogue and mutual studying on all sides.

So far as Islamic Shari’ah is anxious, Prophet Muhammad’s title will not be sacred, somewhat it’s an honourable, extremely respectable title. As for us, Muslims, we extremely respect our Prophet’s title in addition to all of the names of Allah’s Prophets (Peace be upon all of them). As it’s an honourable title, a Muslim will not be allowed to call a teddy/toy or the like with any of the names of Allah’s Prophets.

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shinqiti, director of the Islamic Middle of South Plains, Lubbock, Texas, states:

“The title of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) will not be sacred however it’s honourable and extremely revered. Subsequently, we must always present the utmost respect for the Prophet (Peace be upon him). That’s the reason we must always not title a teddy/toy or the like ‘Muhammad’ as a result of this contradicts the respect we owe to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). To know extra in regards to the veneration we ought to point out to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), please let’s discuss with the start of Chapter 49 within the Qur’an (Surah Al-Hujurat).”

Furthermore, Sheikh Abdul-Majeed Subh, a outstanding Azhar College scholar, provides:

“The title ‘Muhammad’ in itself will not be sacred. It was identified in Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic interval of ignorance), and Muslims in hundreds of thousands are named Muhammad even though a few of them don’t act in accordance with the form of accountability such a reputation implicates. So, the title itself will not be sacred. Solely the Names of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) are sacred; subsequently, when an individual misuses a sure title of Allah, then she or he is included within the which means of the Qur’anic verse: “Allah’s are the fairest names. Invoke Him by them And depart the corporate of those that blaspheme His names. They are going to be requited what they do.” [Qur’an, 7:180] Having said the above, naming a teddy/toy or the like ‘Muhammad’ bears some type of insult to the Prophet (Peace be upon him). This ruling will not be solely confined to Prophet Muhammad’s title (Peace be upon him). Moderately, it applies to all of the names of all Prophets (Peace be upon all of them). So, it is a basic human laws that features all Prophet’s names: Whoever insults or humiliates Muhammad’s title has the identical ruling of 1 who insults or humiliates any of Allah’s Prophets. This is among the virtues and traits of Shari’ah that’s humane, basic, and never restricted to a sure nation or nation.”

Moreover, Sheikh Abdul Khaliq Hassan Ash-Shareef, an Egypt-based famend Islamic scholar and Da’iyah, states:

“Muhammad is a human title that’s honourable and revered. Many individuals are referred to as Muhammad; had the title been sacred, no human would have been named ‘Muhammad.’ As it’s an honourable title, it isn’t allowed to call a teddy/toy or the like with it as it could result in some type of humiliation and degradation to the Prophet’s title. Nobody can be content material to affiliate something, even remotely, humiliating to his or her title or that of his or her mother or father. If that is so with one’s personal title or that of a mother or father, what would it not be with the Prophet’s title?”

Revered servants of Allah! Little doubt, it’s prohibited to throw a paper containing the title of a Prophet from the Prophets, into impurity, or to throw it in a fashion of insult and belittlement in apart from impurity, and this act is taken into account disbelief.

It’s said in Al-Mawsu’ah Al-Fiqhiyyah, quantity 14, web page 59:

“It’s compulsory to guard the books of Tafsir (exegesis), Hadith, and Islamic sciences from being handled with disrespect. Whoever throws a paper containing one thing from Islamic information, or containing the Title of Allah, or the title of a Prophet, or an angel into impurity, or smears it with impurity – even whether it is neglected (a small amount) – is judged as a disbeliever, whether it is confirmed that he meant to insult the Shari’ah.”

It’s prohibited to point out disrespect (to the title) if the intention is to discuss with the Prophet by the title, comparable to by accompanying it with “Peace be upon him,” or if the context of the speech signifies that intention.

Nonetheless, if the title refers to an individual apart from the Prophet, then it isn’t prohibited to disrespect it, comparable to if the individual’s title is Isa (Jesus) or Muhammad or Ibrahim.

Sheikh Advert-Dusuqi mentioned:

“Like throwing the Qur’an, which is apostasy: throwing the Names of Allah, and so forth., and the names of the Prophets, if that’s with the intention of belittling and making mild of them; by means of throwing them as a result of they’re the title of a Prophet. And his saying: “and the names of the Prophets” means: these accompanied by what signifies that, comparable to: “Peace and blessings be upon him.” [See Hashiyat Ad-Dusuqi, volume 4, page 301]

And Sheikh As-Sawi mentioned:

“His saying: [and the Names of Allah]: which means: and the names of the Prophets whether it is with the intention of belittling and making mild of them, the place they’re specified with an outline that distinguishes them, like Muhammad the Messenger of Allah, or accompanied by prayer.” [See Hashiyat As-Sawi on Ash-Sharh As-Saghir, volume 4, page 433]

Ibn Al-Hajj Al-Maliki, (could Allah have mercy on him) mentioned:

“It’s common amongst some craftsmen on this time that they use paper with out understanding what’s in it. And this isn’t permissible; as a result of it could include the Noble Qur’an, or a Hadith of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) or a reputation from the names of the angels or the Prophets (peace be upon them). No matter is of that nature, it isn’t permissible to make use of it, nor to disrespect it; out of sanctity for it and reverence for its standing. If it (paper) comprises the names of students or the righteous predecessors – could Allah be happy with them – or the Islamic sciences, then it’s disliked, and it doesn’t attain the extent of prohibition just like the one earlier than it.” [See Al-Madkhal, volume 4, page 89]

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Barrak (could Allah protect him) was requested about throwing papers within the trash whereas they include the title of a Companion and he mentioned:

“If the intention is to not insult: then it isn’t prohibited.”

Expensive brothers and sisters! That is the Islamic rulings pertaining to this matter. And alhamdulillah, I realized that lastly the rug have been eliminated, however not as a result of His Highness the Emir Sanusi was incorrect, or he dedicated any offence in Islam, nevertheless it has been eliminated for peace to reign.

All reward is because of Allah, Lord of the worlds. Might the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his household, his Companions and his true followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He could be reached through: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumu’ah Khutbah) was ready for supply as we speak Friday, 24 Rabi’ul Awwal, 1446 AH (September 27, 2024).