The Ruling on Making Na‘t Recitation a Profession
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❖ The Question
What is the Shar‘i ruling regarding turning the praise of the Prophet ﷺ into a profession or trade — in other words, what is the status of “Na‘t selling”?
❖ The Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The issue is clarified as follows: Making Na‘t recitation a profession is impermissible (haram). This is explained in detail below:
Two Types of Praising the Prophet ﷺ
① Praising with Balance (Permissible)
◈ This includes only those qualities which the Prophet ﷺ truly possessed.
◈ Such Na‘t mentions his noble character, pure life, and praiseworthy attributes.
◈ This is permissible and contains no harm.
② Praising with Exaggeration (Haram)
◈ This includes going beyond limits and attributing to the Prophet ﷺ qualities exclusive to Allah.
◈ The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا تُطْرُوْنِیْ كَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَى الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ، فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدٌ، فَقُولُوا: عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 3445)
Translation:
“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam. I am only His servant, so say: The servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
◈ Examples of haram exaggerated Na‘t:
- Saying that the Prophet ﷺ answers supplications.
- Claiming that he relieves the distressed.
- Attributing ownership of this world and the Hereafter to him.
- Believing he possesses knowledge of the unseen.
❖ These are forbidden statements, and in some cases, they amount to major shirk that expels a person from Islam.
Making Na‘t a Means of Livelihood
If someone composes or recites a balanced, Shar‘i Na‘t but makes it a means of worldly gain:
◈ This too is haram.
◈ Mentioning the noble character and attributes of the Prophet ﷺ is a form of worship meant to draw nearer to Allah.
◈ It is not permissible to make worship a source of worldly income.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿مَن كانَ يُريدُ الحَيوةَ الدُّنيا وَزينَتَها نُوَفِّ إِلَيهِم أَعمـلَهُم فيها… أُولـئِكَ الَّذينَ لَيسَ لَهُم فِى الءاخِرَةِ إِلَّا النّارُ﴾
(Surah Hūd: 15-16)
Translation:
“Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornment, We will fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they will not be wronged. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter except the Fire. Their deeds are wasted therein, and all that they used to do is in vain.”
❖ Conclusion and Supplication
Thus, both exaggerated Na‘t and turning Na‘t into a profession are prohibited in Islam.
May Allah grant us the ability to remain on the straight path and to perform our acts of worship with sincerity.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
