This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri's book Aamad Mustafa ﷺ.
Is a chain of narration necessary for the proof of Prophetic traditions, or is widespread acceptance sufficient? A research study
◈ Allama Albani, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 1420 AH), writes:
هذا ولا بد من الإشارة إلى أننا نؤمن بجواز التبرك بآثاره صلى الله عليه وسلم، ولا تنكره خلافا لما يوهمه صنيع خصومنا، ولكن لهذا التبرك شروطا؛ منها الإيمان الشرعي المقبول عند الله، فمن لم يكن مسلما صادق الإسلام؛ فلن يحقق الله له أى خير بتبركه هذا، كما يشترط للراغب فى التبرك أن يكون حاصلا على أثر من آثاره صلى الله عليه وسلم ويستعمله، ونحن نعلم أن آثاره صلى الله عليه وسلم من ثياب أو شعر أو فضلات قد فقدت، وليس بإمكان أحد إثبات وجود شيء منها على وجه القطع واليقين، وإذا كان الأمر كذلك، فإن التبرك بهذه الآثار يصبح أمرا غير ذي موضوع فى زماننا هذا، ويكون أمرا نظريا محضا، فلا ينبغي إطالة القوليه .
"The opponents spread false propaganda about us; we believe in the permissibility of seeking blessings (tabarruk) from the Prophetic relics, we do not deny it at all. But there are some conditions for this tabarruk: the one seeking blessings must be a Muslim and a believer; if he is not a true Muslim, Allah does not grant him any benefit from seeking blessings from the Prophetic relics. The thing from which blessings are sought must be proven to be attributed to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. However, we know that the hair, clothing, and other relics of the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, have been lost. Now, it is beyond anyone's capability to prove them with certainty and definiteness. Therefore, in our time, seeking blessings from the Prophetic relics is unnecessary; it is merely an imaginary matter, and it is inappropriate to engage in lengthy discussions about it."
Reference: (التوسل وأنواعه و أحكامه ص : 144 ، وفي نسخة : 161-162)
Sabeel al-Mu'mineen and a Rare Position
◈ Mr. Ahmad Raza Khan Sahib writes:
In such a case, definite proof with authentic hadith is not essentially required; pursuing its investigation and verification and refraining from its respect and seeking blessings without it is a great deprivation and misfortune. The Imams of the religion have considered it sufficient that the item is known by the name of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
Reference: (Fatawa Razawiyya: 412/21)
It is not known which Imams of the religion do not base the Prophetic relics on a chain of narration (isnad)? Rather, they rely on baseless claims. Certainly, not a single Imam can be named among the Imams who did not base the Prophetic relics on isnad.
We say that not pursuing investigation and revering and seeking blessings without investigation is a misfortune and deprivation.
◈ Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi Sahib writes:
“For the proof of blessings, it is sufficient among Muslims that it is well-known that these are the blessings of the Prophet ﷺ.”
Reference: (Jaa al-Haqq: 376/1)
Proof of Marriage and Progeny and Blessings
◈ Naeemi Sahib further writes:
We say that so-and-so is the son of so-and-so, the grandson of so-and-so; there is no proof of this in the Quran, nor from Hadith, nor do we have witnesses to our mother's marriage, yet among Muslims this is well-known, and that is enough. Similarly, for the proof of relics, only reputation is considered valid.
Reference: (Jaa al-Haqq: 376/1)
It is submitted that the matter of attribution to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is different from ordinary claims. Attributing anything to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ requires evidence and caution. Attributing relics to the Prophet ﷺ means attributing a characteristic to him. For example, calling a shoe the Prophet’s ﷺ shoe means that he used to wear that very shoe. Thus, it is a Hadith, and attributing any false Hadith to the Prophet ﷺ results in:
من كذب على متعمدا، فليتبوأ مقعده من النار .
“Whoever deliberately lies about me, let him take his place in Hell.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1291, Sahih Muslim: 3)
The relics of the present era are not proven, so attributing them to the Noble Prophet ﷺ is audacity.
The example of marriage is misplaced because marriage is publicly announced. Besides two specific witnesses, others also witness it. Witnesses are present so that if any legal complication arises, these people can satisfy the court. When the entire community witnesses the marriage, all present and future generations receive this testimony. If both witnesses to a person’s marriage have passed away, can the proof of that marriage not be presented in court?
Whereas it is impossible to prove relics attributed to the Noble Prophet ﷺ. Muhaddithin and scholars have set the condition of an authentic chain for them, and even Hanafi scholars have rejected the present relics, as we have already explained.
◈ Naeemi Sahib mentions an incident and writes:
He was asked, “What is your noble name?” He replied, “Abdur Rahman.” “What is the honorable name of your kind father?” He said, “Abdur Raheem.” We asked, “What is the proof that you are the son of Abdur Raheem?” Firstly, there are no witnesses to this marriage; even if there were, they would only testify to the marriage contract. How is it known that your noble birth is from his very drop? He paused and said, “Sir, Muslims say that I am his son, and the testimony of Muslims is valid.” We said, “When Muslims say that this is the noble hair of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the testimony of Muslims is valid,” they were embarrassed.
Reference: (Jaa al-Haqq: 378/1)
This is a confusion of topics. The matter is about attributing something to the Noble Prophet ﷺ, about which it has been clearly stated that false attribution to the Prophet ﷺ leads to Hell. On the contrary, the Shariah has explained that if a child is born in someone's house, he will be attributed to him. Even if someone claims, “I committed adultery with his mother and this is my child,” his claim will be rejected. The child belongs to the one on whose bed he was born, while the one claiming adultery will be punished for adultery.
Sayyida Aisha (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
الولد للفراش، وللعاهر الحجر .
“The child belongs to the one on the bed, but the married adulterer shall receive the punishment of stoning.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6749, Sahih Muslim: 1457)
If someone says that so-and-so is not the son of so-and-so, he has claimed illegitimacy on him, and for this claim, he must present four witnesses, otherwise he will be whipped. But if someone claims about relics that they are not authentic, he does not need to present witnesses; however, the claimant of authenticity must present proof.
Therefore, comparing relics to marriage or claims of legitimacy or illegitimacy is a comparison of unlike things.
