Can we seek help from a deceased person when visiting his grave? Can we pray directly to the Prophet and request him to grant us our needs? (Nawaz)
In a highly authentic Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is quoted as saying: “When a person dies, all his actions come to an end except in one of three ways: A continuing act of charity, a useful contribution to knowledge and a dutiful child who prays for him.” This is a clear statement that after death, no one can do anything for himself, let alone for others. Moreover, God says in the Qur’an: “You cannot make those who are in their graves hear you.” (35: 22) This statement is very clear and precise, telling us that a dead person buried in the grave cannot hear or listen.
When we take the Qur’anic verse and the Prophet’s statement together we realize that when a living person visits the grave of a dead person and makes a request, he is actually addressing someone who can neither hear him nor do anything for himself or others. Needless to say, it is a totally futile effort. Moreover, such an action is against Islamic principles, which make people’s destiny determined by God alone according to His absolute knowledge and wisdom. Those who visit such graves in the hope that the dead will help them because of their position with God are actually saying that they know how God will judge these people. Such a claim means that they are aware of something that God says He keeps to Himself. On what basis can they make such a claim?
Nor is it correct to pray to the Prophet to grant us our needs. He certainly was the best man that ever walked the earth, and he is in a favored position with God. There is no doubt about that. However, we cannot assign to him what he does not have. God has granted him a position that will enable him to intercede with God for his followers, appealing to Him for their forgiveness, but this takes place on the Day of Judgment, not in this life. The Prophet’s role in this life is completed and he no longer has any influence on events, except through his teachings. When people obey his teachings, they are able to accomplish good things in human life, but this is through their own actions.
Moreover, why do we need to pray to anyone other than God? Suppose you have a problem with a governmental department and you are seeking to ensure that you get your rights. If you have a chance to put your case to the head of that department, and he assures you that he will listen attentively to your case and ensure that you get what is rightfully yours, would you prefer to put your case to one of his employees? Suppose that the head of the department promises you that he will give you double what you are entitled for, would you employ a lawyer to speak on your behalf? What if the rules in that department make clear that when a lawyer is employed, you cannot get anything beyond what is rightfully yours?
This is a proper comparison concerning our position with God. He tells us that when we pray Him, He will answer us and grant us what we have prayed Him for. He says in the Qur’an: “Your Lord says: ‘Pray to me and I will answer you.’” (40: 60) The Prophet tells us in several Hadiths that God answers all our prayers and gives us much more. Why do we need to go to others when going to anyone else is certain to incur God’s anger? To call on dead people whom we think to have been pious and to put our requests to them is an act of worship addressed to them and it is certain to incur God’s displeasure. Therefore, it must never be done by a Muslim.