V2:35- Ruling on Ghulu in loving the Prophet (ﷺ)
- 4 years ago
35- Ruling on Ghulu in loving the Prophet (ﷺ)
Q: What does Ghulu in loving the Prophet (ﷺ) mean?
A: Ghulu (Exceeding proper limits) means an increase or doing something more than what is ordained by Allah (Exalted be He). The Arabic word 'ghala' (boil) denotes the rise of water because of fire. Therefore, Ghulu means exceeding proper limits by doing something more than what is legally ordained. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Be cautious against exceeding the proper limits in matters of religion. Those who were before you were devastated because of exceeding the proper limits in matters of religion. Allah (Glorified be He) says: O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion Therefore, Ghulu means exceeding the proper limits in doing desirable acts that are legally ordained by Allah. This kind of behavior is called Ghulu. For example, Allah ordained Five Obligatory Daily Prayers and therefore it is impermissible to make them six by making make Salat-ul-Duha (supererogatory Prayer after sunrise) obligatory upon people. If you are a Sultan or prince, you may say that this increase by having a sixth Prayer is better. But this is impermissible and Ghulu. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Whoever does a deed that is not according to our way, his deeds will be rejected. You may say that you love the Prophet (ﷺ) and you will invoke him beside Allah (Exalted be He) by asking him to cure your disease or grant you victory. This is Ghulu as it exceeds the proper limits. This is because you are ordained to invoke Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:...so let him make Dua`a (supplication) to Allah... He (ﷺ) orders you to invoke Allah. He (ﷺ) does not order you to invoke him. Allah (Glorified be He) says: Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Therefore, one should make Dua`a 1 to Allah (Exalted be He), not the Messenger (ﷺ). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilah (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (the disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. Invoking anyone other than Allah like the dead, trees, stones or even the Prophet (ﷺ) is major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). This is a kind of Ghulu. Moreover, doing more than what is ordained by Allah (Exalted be He) with regard to acts of Ibadah (worship) is a kind of Ghulu. Allah (Exalted be He) ordains for you to make Dua`a' to Him by his Names, Attributes and your righteous deeds. But making Dua`a' to Allah by the honor, the blessing or the virtue of the Prophet (ﷺ) is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion) and a kind of Ghulu. Making Dua`a 1 to Allah (Exalted be He) by virtue of your righteous deeds like loving and believing in the Prophet (ﷺ) is permissible and legal. But, it is impermissible to make Dua`a' to Allah (Exalted be He) by the virtue of the Prophet (ﷺ) or by his blessings. It is permissible only to make Dua`a' to Allah by one's love, belief, obedience and following the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ). This is the legal Dua`a. You can make Dua`a' to Allah by His Names and Attributes or by believing in Him and His Messenger.
[Vol. 2, Page No. 99]
Q: What does Ghulu in loving the Prophet (ﷺ) mean?
A: Ghulu (Exceeding proper limits) means an increase or doing something more than what is ordained by Allah (Exalted be He). The Arabic word 'ghala' (boil) denotes the rise of water because of fire. Therefore, Ghulu means exceeding proper limits by doing something more than what is legally ordained. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Be cautious against exceeding the proper limits in matters of religion. Those who were before you were devastated because of exceeding the proper limits in matters of religion. Allah (Glorified be He) says: O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits in your religion Therefore, Ghulu means exceeding the proper limits in doing desirable acts that are legally ordained by Allah. This kind of behavior is called Ghulu. For example, Allah ordained Five Obligatory Daily Prayers and therefore it is impermissible to make them six by making make Salat-ul-Duha (supererogatory Prayer after sunrise) obligatory upon people. If you are a Sultan or prince, you may say that this increase by having a sixth Prayer is better. But this is impermissible and Ghulu. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Whoever does a deed that is not according to our way, his deeds will be rejected. You may say that you love the Prophet (ﷺ) and you will invoke him beside Allah (Exalted be He) by asking him to cure your disease or grant you victory. This is Ghulu as it exceeds the proper limits. This is because you are ordained to invoke Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:...so let him make Dua`a (supplication) to Allah... He (ﷺ) orders you to invoke Allah. He (ﷺ) does not order you to invoke him. Allah (Glorified be He) says: Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Therefore, one should make Dua`a 1 to Allah (Exalted be He), not the Messenger (ﷺ). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilah (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (the disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. Invoking anyone other than Allah like the dead, trees, stones or even the Prophet (ﷺ) is major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). This is a kind of Ghulu. Moreover, doing more than what is ordained by Allah (Exalted be He) with regard to acts of Ibadah (worship) is a kind of Ghulu. Allah (Exalted be He) ordains for you to make Dua`a' to Him by his Names, Attributes and your righteous deeds. But making Dua`a' to Allah by the honor, the blessing or the virtue of the Prophet (ﷺ) is a Bid`ah (innovation in religion) and a kind of Ghulu. Making Dua`a 1 to Allah (Exalted be He) by virtue of your righteous deeds like loving and believing in the Prophet (ﷺ) is permissible and legal. But, it is impermissible to make Dua`a' to Allah (Exalted be He) by the virtue of the Prophet (ﷺ) or by his blessings. It is permissible only to make Dua`a' to Allah by one's love, belief, obedience and following the guidance of the Prophet (ﷺ). This is the legal Dua`a. You can make Dua`a' to Allah by His Names and Attributes or by believing in Him and His Messenger.
[Vol. 2, Page No. 99]