On the photo: Some of the items that supposedly belonged to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) kept in the Istanbul Museum
Question:
Peace be upon you brothers!
They now bring once again to Chechnya some items that allegedly belonged to Allah's Messenger Muhammad (pbuh).
And we, ordinary Muslims, do not know how to react to such news.
Please explain what is genuine, and what is not?
Answer:
Sheikh Munajjid answers this question, and that is what he says:
- There is no proof that any of the relics (hair, clothes, etc.) of the Prophet (pbuh) preserved.
Claims have been made that shoes, hair, garments and precious stones that belonged to the Prophet (pbuh) exist in many parts of the world, and every nation claims that it is right and others are wrong.
But it has been proven in the past and in recent times that the claims of many to possess items owned by the Prophet (pbuh) are false, because they are making money out of these claims.
In his book Mafaakahah al-Khullaan fi Hawaadith al-Zamaan, Ibn Tuloon mentioned the events of 919 AH, when someone claimed to have in his possession a vessel and some of the sticks of the Prophet (pbuh), but then they realized that these were not relics of the Prophet, rather they were relics of al-Layth ibn Sa'd.
Some of the rulers and senior companions preserved some relics of the Prophet (pbuh), but many of them were lost in the turmoils that befell the Islamic state one after another.
For example, when the Tatars attacked Baghdad (656 AH), they burned the cloak (burdah) of the Prophet (pbuh).
When Timurlane attacked Damascus (803 AH), shoes that were said to have belonged to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) disappeared.
Hence the imams doubted that it could be proven that any of the relics of the Prophet (pbuh) have survived until now, and some of them are certain that it cannot be proven.
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said, speaking of the garments of the Prophet (pbuh):
"I say: It is not known what happened to these three garments after that".
Al-Bidaayah wa'l-Nihaayah (6/10) and al-Seerah al-Nabawiyyah (4/713).
Al-Suyooti (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"This burdah was in the keeping of the caliphs who passed it down to one another and wore it on their shoulders in processions, both walking and riding. It was being worn by al-Muqtadir when he was killed and was stained with blood. I think that it was lost during the turmoil caused by the Tatars. Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon (verily we belong to Allah and unto Him is our return)".
Tareekh al-Khulafa' (p. 14).
The great scholar Ahmad Timur Pasha said - after listing the relics attributed to the Prophet (pbuh) in Istanbul:
"It is obvious that some of these relics may be genuine, but we do not see any of the trustworthy scholars stating definitely whether they are genuine or not. Allah, may He be glorified, knows best about them. But with regard to some of them, we cannot hide our suspicion concerning them".
Al-Athaar al-Nabawiyyah (p. 78)
And on p. 82 he said - after quoting reports of some of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) seeking blessing from the hairs of the Messenger (pbuh):
"There is no sound evidence to prove that any of the hairs that were in the hands of the people could be attributed to the Prophet (pbuh), because the hairs that the people have were some of that which had been shared out among the companions (may Allah be pleased with them), but it is difficult to tell what is genuine from what is not".
Sheikh al-Albaani (pbuh) said:
"It is essential to note that we believe it is permissible to seek blessing from the relics of the Prophet (pbuh), and we do not denounce it, contrary to what our opponents think, but this seeking of blessing is subject to certain conditions, including the following:
Correct faith that is acceptable to Allah. If a person is not a Muslim who believes sincerely in Islam, Allah will never grant him any good by his seeking blessing in this manner.
It is also stipulated that the one who wants to seek blessing have found one of the genuine relics of the Prophet (pbuh).
We know that relics such as his garments, hair, etc. have been lost and it is not possible for anyone to prove with certainty that any of them exist".
Al-Tawassul (1/145).
Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan (pbuh) said in an article entitled Ta'qeeb ‘ala Mulaahazaat al-Sheikh Muhammad al-Majdhoob ibn Mustafa:
"With regard to things that are separated from the body (of the Prophet) (pbuh) or things that were in contact with his body, blessing may be sought from them if they existed during his life and after his death if they have survived, but in most cases they did not survive after his death. As for the claims made by some charlatans nowadays that some of his hair etc. still exists, these are false claims for which there is no evidence...
These relics do not exist now, because so much time has passed that it is most likely that they have disintegrated or been lost, and there is no evidence to support the claims made that some of them still exist".
Al-Bayaan li Akhta' Ba'd al-Kuttaab (p. 154).
Under the title Hal yoojad Shay'un min Athaar al-Rasool sall-Allaah ‘alayhiwa sallam fi'l-‘Asr al-haadir (Does any relic of the Messenger (pbuh) exist at present?) Dr. Naasir ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Jadee' describes types of seeking blessing and the rulings on them.
On pp. 256-260 he explains that it is uncertain that any of the relics that exist currently can truly be attributed to the Prophet (pbuh), and he states that many of the relics of the Messenger (pbuh) have disappeared through the ages due to loss, wars and turmoil.
Source: Islamqa.info
Kavkaz Center
Our button
print version
