How Were the Righteous Servants of the People of Noah Made into Deities?
📖 Testimony of the Holy Quran:
وَقَالُوا لَا تَذَرُنَّ آلِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّا وَلَا سُوَاعًا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًا
Translation: “And they said: Never leave your gods, nor Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr.”
❗ These are the same five names that later became idols of the Arab polytheists.
📜 Explanation from Sahih al-Bukhari – Narration of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (RA)
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
“هَؤُلَاءِ أَسْمَاءُ رِجَالٍ صَالِحِينَ مِنْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ، فَلَمَّا هَلَكُوا أَوْحَى الشَّيْطَانُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِمْ أَنْ انْصِبُوا إِلَى مَجَالِسِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا يَجْلِسُونَ فِيهَا أَنْصَابًا، وَسَمُّوهَا بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ، فَفَعَلُوا، فَلَمْ تُعْبَدْ، حَتَّى إِذَا هَلَكَ أُولَئِكَ وَنُسِخَ الْعِلْمُ، عُبِدَتْ.”
🔸 Translation: Ibn Abbas (RA) said: “These five names belonged to the righteous and pious men of the people of Noah. When they passed away, Satan advised the people of their nation to make statues at the places where they used to sit and name them after these men. They did so, but these statues were not worshipped. Until those who knew this matter died and the knowledge was lost, then the worship of these statues began.”
🔍 Lessons to be Learned:
- Memorials were made for righteous people, but the intention was not worship.
- Worship began when the knowledgeable passed away and the new generation started considering idols sacred and began worshipping them.
- The entire process started with reverence and ended in polytheism.
🏛️ The Background of the Arab Polytheists and “Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzzā”
وَأَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللَّاتَ وَالْعُزَّى، وَمَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْأُخْرَى؟
Translation: “Have you considered Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzzā? And the third one, Manāt?”
📜 Sahih al-Bukhari – The Reality of Al-Lat and Al-‘Uzzā:
حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْأَشْهَبِ، عَنْ أَبِي الْجَوْزَاءِ، عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا:
قَالَ: كَانَ اللَّاتُ رَجُلًا يَلْتُ سُوَيْقًا فَمَاتَ، فَعَكَفُوا عَلَى قَبْرِهِ، وَالْعُزَّى نِسْوَةٌ كُنَّ يَلْتُنَ السُّوَيْقَ، فَمِتْنَ، فَعَكَفْنَ عَلَى قُبُورِهِنَّ.
🔸 Translation: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Al-Lat was a man who served the pilgrims by preparing porridge for them (i.e., he served them). When he died, people began to sit at his grave (i.e., gather there). And Al-‘Uzzā were some women who served in the same way; when they died, women began to gather at their graves.”
🔍 Lessons to Learn:
✅ Among the people of Noah, too, the love and reverence for righteous people ended in polytheism.
✅ The Arab polytheists began with reverence for graves and ended up making them deities.
📛 This is the same trial that has revived again today in the Muslim Ummah.
Polytheism of the Arab Pagans – At Today’s Shrines
Just as the righteous servants of the people of Noah were made sacred memorials after their death, and over time their worship began, the same history was repeated by the polytheists of Mecca. Now let us see:
❗ The same polytheism, how is it alive in our Ummah today?
1. Data Darbar (Ali Hajveriؒ – Lahore):
📌 Every day thousands of people at the grave:
- place cloths over it
- prostrate
- make vows
- touch the cloak for “blessing”
- ask for help directly from the grave: “Data Ji! Please ease my difficulty”
🔴 All these acts are exclusively reserved for Allah. The Prophet ﷺ strictly forbade making graves places of worship.
📜 Noble Hadith – Prohibition of making graves mosques:
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
“لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى، اتَّخَذُوا قُبُورَ أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ مَسَاجِدَ.”
Translation: “May Allah’s curse be upon the Jews and Christians who made the graves of their prophets places of worship.”
🕌 2. Khawaja Moinuddin Chishtiؒ (Ajmeri Shrine – India):
📌 Here annually during the “Urs”:
- millions of people ask for prayers from the grave
- place cloths over it
- directly request Khawaja Sahib for “children, wealth, healing”
🔴 The Arab polytheists also used to say the same about their idols:
📖 Quran Majeed – The argument of the polytheists:
مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰ
Translation: “We worship them only so that they may bring us closer to Allah.”
📛 Even today, people say: “We consider the saints as a means to Allah, we do not worship them directly!”
⚠️ But Allah declared the polytheists as disbelievers because of this “intermediary” polytheism!
🕌 3. Abdul Qadir Jilani (Baghdad Sharif – and shrines attributed to him):
📌 People attribute to him:
- He is called Ghaus-e-Azam (the Greatest Helper)
- Help is sought by saying words like “Al-Madad Ya Ghaus Al-Azam!”
- In some areas, the “eleventh Khatm of Ghaus Pak” is held
📛 The Holy Prophet ﷺ forbade calling upon any deceased person for help:
🗣️ Quranic principle: Call only upon Allah
وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَـٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًۭا
Translation: “And indeed, the mosques are for Allah alone, so do not call upon anyone along with Allah.”
📛 The Prophet ﷺ said:
“إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللَّهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ”
Translation: “When you ask, ask only from Allah, and when you seek help, seek help only from Allah.”
🔍 Lessons to be learned:
✅ The people of Noah → started polytheism from graves
✅ Arab polytheists → idols in the name of righteous people
✅ Today → prostrations, vows, and calls for help at the graves of saints
📛 All this is polytheism, which is against the foundation of Islam – Tawheed.
Innovations and customs currently ongoing at shrines
❗ When polytheism is called “love” and “devotion”…
What is happening today at shrines is completely against the fundamental beliefs of Islam. People call it “love for the saints” or “devotion to the elders of religion,” but in reality, it is the same act that the people of Noah, the Arab polytheists, and the People of the Book committed.
⚰️ Some common innovations and their Islamic ruling:
❌ 1. Touching, kissing, and embracing graves:
🔸 People touch the domes of shrines, kiss them, embrace them while crying and supplicating.
📚 Proof of prohibition:
عَنْ أَبِي مَرْثَدٍ الْغَنَوِيِّ قَالَ:
“نَهَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ إِلَى الْقُبُورِ.”
Translation: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade us from praying facing the graves.”
🔴 When praying facing graves is forbidden, then how can kissing, touching, and embracing graves be permissible?
❌ 2. Asking for direct help from saints (or calling them Ghous, helper):
“O Abdul Qadir Jilani! Make my difficulty easy.” “Data Sahib! Save me.” “Khawaja Sahib! Grant me offspring.”
📛 All these phrases are included in major shirk (associating partners with Allah).
📖 Clear command of the Quran:
إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا۟ دُعَآءَكُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا۟ مَا ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لَكُمْ ۖ وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ
Translation: “If you call upon them (other than Allah), they will not hear your prayer, and even if they hear, they will not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will deny your association (shirk).”
❌ 3. Offering vows and gifts at graves:
– “This kheer is for Data.”
– “This sheet is for Niaz.”
– “This food is for the Urs.”
📛 All these are acts of worship, which should be directed only to Allah.
📚 Command of the Prophet ﷺ:
“لَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَنْ ذَبَحَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ”
Translation: “May Allah’s curse be upon the one who sacrifices in the name of other than Allah.”
❌ 4. “Urs” and annual fairs:
– Fairs, Dhamal (spiritual dance), music, tabla, qawwali
– Mixing of men and women
– Immorality in places of worship
📛 All these innovations are the same as those practiced by the pagan Arabs for their idols.
وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًۭا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ
Translation: “This is my straight path, so follow it. And do not follow other ways, for they will separate you from the way of Allah.”
🚫 The Fitnah of “Shirk in the Name of Love”
📌 Unfortunately today it is said:
“We do not worship, we only love.”
❗ This was also the excuse of the people of Noah…❗ This was also the excuse of the polytheists of Makkah…
📖 Allah’s Clear Declaration:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ
Translation: “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating others with Him (shirk).”
🔍 Lessons to Learn:
✅ Reverence for graves turns into worship✅ Today’s innovations resemble the polytheists of Arabia✅ The Quran and Sunnah forbid every act of worship connected to graves
The Position of the Companions, Tabi‘in, and Imams – Reverence for Graves or Tawheed?
When the Ummah falls into a fitnah, the standard of guidance is the practice of the Companions (RA), the Tabi‘in (RA), and the pious predecessors. What is happening at graves in the present time, did the Companions (RA) or the Four Imams (RA) ever do such things? Let us see with evidence:
🌴 1. The Respectful Treatment of the Blessed Grave of the Prophet ﷺ – The Practice of the Companions (RA)
📌 The grave of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ exists, but:
- Did any companion (رضي الله عنه) ever touch or kiss a grave? ❌
- Did anyone ask for prayers from a grave? ❌
- Did anyone cover a grave with a cloth? ❌
- Did anyone say, “O Messenger of Allah, fulfill my need?” ❌
Rather, the second Caliph, Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه), after the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, clearly stated this principle:
📜 Saying of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) – Sahih Bukhari:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَسْقِي إِلَيْكَ بِنَبِيِّنَا، فَتَسْقِينَا، وَإِنَّا نَسْتَسْقِي إِلَيْكَ بِعَمِّ نَبِيِّنَا، فَاسْقِنَا.
Translation: “O Allah! We used to ask You for rain through the intercession of Your Prophet, now (after the death of the Prophet ﷺ) we ask You through the intercession of the Prophet’s uncle (Abbas رضي الله عنه), so grant us rain.”
❗ If it were permissible to ask for prayers from the Prophet ﷺ’s grave, Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه) would never have adopted this method.
📚 2. Position of Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمه الله):
“أكره أن يُقال عند قبر النبي ﷺ: يا رسول الله، أو يا أفضل خلق الله.”
Translation: “I dislike that at the Prophet ﷺ’s grave it is said: O Messenger of Allah, O the best servant of Allah!”
🔴 Imam Azam Abu Hanifa (رحمه الله) considered asking for prayers from graves or calling out to them as disliked (close to forbidden).
📚 3. Saying of Imam Malik (رحمه الله):
When Caliph Mansur intended to pray facing the Prophet ﷺ’s grave, Imam Malikؒ said:
“وَلَـٰكِنِ اسْتَقْبِلِ ٱلْقِبْلَةَ وَادْعُ، وَلَا تَسْتَقْبِلِ ٱلْقَبْرَ”
Translation: “Pray facing the Qibla, do not face the grave.”
📚 4. Statement of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbalؒ:
“مَن تبرک بشيء من القبور فقد أشرك”
Translation: “Whoever seeks blessings from graves has committed shirk.”
⚖️ Summary:
✅ The Companions of the Prophetؓ, the Four Imamsؒ, and the pious predecessorsؒ were strongly opposed to worship or seeking intercession at graves under the name of reverence.
✅ Covering graves with cloths, prostrating, offering vows and sacrifices, or asking for help from saints – all are pure forms of shirk.
🛑 Final Message: Tawheed is the Path to Salvation
وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ
Translation: “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.”
✨ Call for Reform:
💔 The Ummah has slipped towards shirk in the name of reverence and love🕋 Return! Call upon Allah alone, rely only on Him📖 Follow the path of the Quran and Sunnah, follow the pious predecessors
